Cradle cap
What causes cradle cap?
It's not clear what causes cradle cap, although it may be linked to overactive sebaceous glands. These are glands in the skin that produce an oily substance called sebum.
Some babies are thought to retain some of their mother's hormones in their bodies for several weeks or months after their birth. These hormones may make the baby's glands produce more sebum.
Cradle cap isn't contagious and it isn't caused by poor hygiene or an allergy . It doesn't mean the baby isn't being looked after properly or has an infection.
Babies with cradle cap may be more likely to develop dandruff , which is another type of seborrhoeic dermatitis, when they're older.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
Cradle cap is the yellowish, greasy, scaly patches that sometimes appear on the scalps of young babies.
What does cradle cap look like?
Cradle cap is easy to recognise by the large, greasy, yellow or brown scales on your baby's scalp. The scales will start to flake and may make the affected skin look red. Sometimes the hair will come
What causes cradle cap?
It's not clear what causes cradle cap, although it may be linked to overactive sebaceous glands. These are glands in the skin that produce an oily substance called sebum. Some babies are thought to r
Does cradle cap need treatment?
Most cases of cradle cap will clear up on their own in time. Gently washing your baby's hair and scalp with baby shampoo can help prevent a build-up of scales. Massaging baby oil or natural oil, such
Special shampoos
You can buy special shampoo for cradle cap from your local pharmacy. Always read the instruction leaflet tocheck it's safe to use on your child. Avoid getting the shampoo in your baby's eyes. If you'
Treating an infection
If your baby's cradle cap becomes inflamed or infected, a course of antibiotics or an antifungal cream or shampoo such as ketoconazole may be prescribed by a doctor. A mild steroid cream such as hyd
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