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Cradle Cap
Cradle cap may be seen in newborns and small children up to age 3. Cradle cap is the term used when seborrheic dermatitis affects the scalp of infants. Seborrheic dermatitis is a common, inflammatory skin condition that causes flaky, white to yellowish scales to form on oily areas such as the scalp or inside the ear. It can occur with or without reddened skin.
Cradle cap is a harmless, temporary condition. It appears as thick, crusty, yellow or brown scales over the child's scalp. Similar scales may also be found on the eyelids, ear, around the nose, and in the groin.
Cradle cap is not contagious, nor is it caused by poor hygiene. It is not an allergy, and it is not dangerous. Cradle cap may or may not itch. If it itches, excessive scratching of the area may cause additional inflammation, and breaks in skin may cause mild infections or bleeding.
Home Treatment For Infants with Cradle Cap
- Massage your baby's scalp gently with your fingers or a soft brush to loosen the scales and improve scalp circulation.
- Give your child daily, gentle shampoos with a mild soap while scales are present. After scales have disappeared, you may reduce shampoos to twice weekly.
- Be sure to rinse off all soap.
- Brush your child's hair with a clean, soft brush after each shampoo and several times during the day.
- If scales do not easily loosen and wash off, apply some mineral oil to the baby's scalp and wrap warm, wet cloths around his head for up to an hour before shampooing. Then, shampoo as directed above. Remember that your baby loses a lot of heat through his scalp. If you use warm, wet cloths with the mineral oil, check frequently to be sure that the cloths have not become cold. Cold, wet cloths could drastically reduce your baby's temperature.
When to Call the Doctor
If your infants cradle cap does not respond to home treatment or over-the-counter treatments and the scales continue to be a problem or concern, or if your child seems uncomfortable or scratches his scalp, or if the skin under the crusts of the cradle cap have become infected, or if it is spreading to the face or other parts of the body, contact your doctor.
References:
1) National Library of Medicine (NLM) - July 2007 - www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus
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