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Many new parents love to bury their noses in their babies’ heads and enjoy that special newborn smell. However, that might not be all that's going on with their scalps. Cradle cap can put a damper on the experience — and the scent. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to address this issue.
Angel Kids Pediatrics has over 30 providers to treat all your child’s physical and behavioral health needs. With 10 offices throughout Jacksonville, Amelia Island, and Saint Johns, Florida, we’re accessible and convenient no matter where you live.
We provide high-quality integrated care for babies, children, and teens, including newborn appointments, sick visits and well-child check-ups, mental health evaluations, and more.
Cradle cap is a common concern with newborns, and here, we offer advice on how to treat it.
Basic facts about cradle cap
Cradle cap is the colloquial name for the common condition of seborrheic dermatitis. Symptoms often include patches that are slightly red and scaly, or yellow and crusty. The areas may look greasy as well.
Most cases of cradle cap begin on the scalp, though it can also appear on the face, including the eyelids and nose or behind the ears. The condition may also emerge in the diaper area or in various skin creases and folds.
Cradle cap typically strikes when babies are between two and 12 months old. While it can look unpleasant, it doesn’t itch or make babies uncomfortable — nor is it contagious.
Treatment options for cradle cap
Cradle cap often goes away on its own in a few weeks or a couple of months, but there are a few things you can do to try to speed along the process in the meantime. They include:
1. Frequent washings
Wash your baby’s hair once a day with a fragrance-free baby shampoo. If you don’t see improvement, try one with a special formula designed to treat cradle cap (check the label or ask our team for a recommendation).
2. Scale removal
While washing your baby’s hair, attempt to gently massage away the scales with your fingers, a washcloth, a soft brush, or a soft-bristled toothbrush.
If the scales are stubborn, apply petroleum jelly or a couple drops of mineral oil on the area and let it soak in prior to bath time. Next, wash your baby’s hair as usual, and try again to remove the scales. Be sure to rinse off all remaining oil, or it could worsen the cradle cap.
Never pick at or scratch stubborn scales, which risks causing an infection.
3. Prevention of buildup
Once scales have been successfully removed, wash your baby’s hair two to three times a week to lower the risk of cradle cap recurrence.
Expert advice
If cradle cap seems to worsen, spreads, or has an odor, be sure to see our team; we can prescribe a stronger treatment. You should also bring your baby in for a visit with our team if you notice any hair loss or their cradle cap seems to make them uncomfortable or itchy.
Your partner in pediatric health
Whether your baby has cradle cap, another skin ailment, or a different health concern, our caring pediatricians at Angel Kids Pediatrics can provide a diagnosis and targeted treatment plan. Call or click online to schedule a visit today at your nearest office in Jacksonville, Amelia Island or Saint Johns, Florida.