Cradle cap: what it is and how to remove it

Cradle cap is a type of seborrhoeic dermatitis that appears on newborns' scalps. In this post, we explain what it is and how to remove it. Keep reading!

Infant seborrhoeic dermatitis is a very common inflammatory skin condition that causes scales, ranging from whitish to yellowish and even grey, in the scalp area (known as cradle cap when it appears in newborns), the face or inside the ear.

Causes of cradle cap

Although doctors do not yet know the cause of this skin inflammation, it is certain that it is not contagious, nor is it due to poor hygiene. Likewise, it is known that it is not caused by any allergy, nor is it dangerous for the baby.

Symptoms of cradle cap

The most common symptoms of cradle cap are as follows:

• The presence of irregular scales or thick crusts on the scalp.
• Oily or dry skin covered with white or yellow scales.
• The appearance of different scales on the skin.
• Redness in some parts of the body.

Babies can develop it between the first 2 weeks of life and 12 months. It mainly affects the scalp and may then spread to other parts of the body, such as the nappy area or the face, among others. The appearance of cradle cap in babies generally lasts a few months. In some children, it can even continue up to 3 years of age.

Treatments for infant seborrhoeic dermatitis

Normally, this skin condition goes away on its own over the course of a few weeks or months. However, there are methods to remove the scales properly:

• Wash the baby's hair once a day. Use a mild, oil-free shampoo.
• Very gently remove the scales with a hairbrush or even a toothbrush.
• Apply mineral oil if the scales do not come away easily. Let the oil soak into the scales and then remove them with the brush.
• If your paediatrician thinks it is appropriate, you can use mild steroid creams or antifungal shampoo (which fights fungi).

For this, our recommendation is to use Avène gel from the Pediatril range, specifically designed to cleanse and moisturise the little one's scalp area without causing irritation or pain.

Do you have questions about how to treat the cradle cap that appears on your baby? At Farmaciasdirect we have a team of pharmacists who can advise you on the use of products for infant seborrhoeic dermatitis. Contact us.