Q&A
Cradle Cap
Question:
My baby has crusty flakes on her scalp. I'm told it's a case of cradle cap and that it's probably caused by poor hygiene. Is there anything I can do to remove those scales?
Cradle cap is a harmless skin condition that commonly occurs on the scalp of infants. The medical term for it is seborrhoea dermatitis, and it shows up when the oil glands on the scalp go into overdrive.
Greasy yellowish scales can cling to the scalp, which can give the appearance that your child has a bad case of dandruff. In more severe cases, the areas involved may include the forehead, skin behind the ears and even the eyelids.
The cause of this condition is not completely known, but it's certainly not caused by poor care or poor hygiene. The good news, though, is that cradle cap will go away on its own by the time your child is six to eight months.
If it bothers you, there are a few things you can do to help remove the scales on her scalp: Try rubbing baby or olive oil into the scalp to loosen the flakes, then carefully brush them out before shampooing.
If the cradle cap doesn't seem to get better, some physicians and parents suggest using a mixture of anti-dandruff shampoo and water, or a cradle cap treatment product designed to get rid of the scales. Be sure to contact your GP if your baby's scalp appears red and irritated, he may prescribe hydrocortisone ointment to keep the problem in check.
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