SKIN CARE GUIDE

Cradle Cap

What is it? Your child may have cradle cap if you notice the arrival of yellowish, white, flaky scales on your child’s head.

Age to expect it. Infancy.

How long until it goes away? It usually shows up in the first few months of life and will generally resolve between six and twelve months.

Parts of body most affected. Scalp, hence the name, or sometimes inside the ears.

Time of year to watch out for it. Cradle cap can occur any time of year that your baby is born but can be worse during the winter.

What causes it? The exact cause of cradle cap is unknown, but, like baby acne, it is believed that it may have something to do with hormones that pass from mother to baby before birth.

Helpful hints. A little trip to the tub will do wonders for your little one’s case of cradle cap. Washing hair with a gentle shampoo and then brushing the child’s scalp with a soft brush to loosen the scales will help.

Home remedy hint. If scales don’t loosen after washing scalp, rub petroleum jelly or a few drops of mineral oil on the scaly patches a few hours before washing hair.

When to consult a doctor. Medical treatment of cradle cap isn’t necessary, but if frequent shampooing doesn’t help or extreme discomfort begins to occur, visit the doctor.

Medical myths debunked. Cradle cap is not dandruff (though some dandruff shampoos may help treat it), and it is also not a result of poor hygiene.

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