Cradle cap is a common, harmless condition in babies which causes the child's scalp to become flaky or have with oily yellow scales or crusty spots. The condition, in some cases, can appear to be somewhat dandruff-like. No matter what form it takes on, it is unsightly and worrisome to most parents. Approximately half of all newborn babies will get cradle cap within the first few months of their lives.http://www.homeeverafter.com/newborns-how-to-treat-cradle-cap/

Infantile seborrheic dermatitis is the medical term for cradle cap. It is not caused by an illness and it does mean that the baby is not being taken care of properly. It can also sometimes be found on the baby's face, ears, and groin area.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cradle-cap/DS01074/DSECTION=symptoms A baby's body goes through a big change after leaving the womb. Medical professionals think that it may be caused by hormonal fluctuations that happen after birth, causing dead skin cells and excess oils to build up on the baby's skin.

Although most cases of cradle cap are harmless enough to not require any treatment, many parents opt to try and reduce the unfavorable appearance of this condition, and in some especially severe cases, treatment is advisable to help ease itching. Always consult your physician for a firm diagnosis and treatment options specific for your child. This guide will help give you some practical advice and tips for how to treat cradle cap.

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact a doctor before using the information presented here.

Cradle cap often goes away on its own after a while. But because of the way it looks most parents take measures to work on getting rid of it quicker. Shampooing the baby's hair daily can help get rid of cradle cap. After it is gone, you can cut the shampooing down to two or three times a week.http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000963.htm

Gently rubbing and massaging the scalp will often loosen the flakes of cradle cap, then you can shampoo the baby's hair to remove the flakes. If the cradle cap still persists, you can add oil to the baby's scalp and let it sit for about fifteen minutes to allow the scaly flakes to soften up. Use a baby comb, soft bristled brush, or a soft toothbrush on the scalp to loosen the flakes. Be sure to rinse all the shampoo off the baby's scalp completely.

When you massage or brush the scalp, it is important to do it gently. Scratches or breaks in the skin on the scalp can make the baby more vulnerable to getting an infection. Don't use your fingernails to try and loosen the flakes. This can hurt the baby and irritate the scalp.http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/skin/disorders/157.html

There are a few steps that can be taken to help prevent cradle cap from starting or returning after it has been treated. Brushing the baby's hair and scalp with a soft bristled baby brush a few times each day can help loosen the flakes early on and keep them from building up into a full blown case of cradle cap. The stimulation to the scalp will help improve circulation, which can cause the flakes to loosen and fall off more easily.http://www.parenting.com/article/Baby/Health/5-Cradle-Cap-Prevention-Tips

Washing the baby's hair and scalp more often can also help stop the build up of the flakes. This helps loosen the flakes and wash them away before they have the chance to build up into thicker patches. Always be sure to rinse the shampoo out of the hair thoroughly. Soap residue that is left behind could possibly clog the pores more and make it more difficult to get rid of the cradle cap.

If you have tried all the options available to you at home or if the cradle cap patches begin to ooze liquid, turn red, or seem to irritate the baby, you should consult the baby's physician as soon as possible.http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000963.htm The baby's pediatrician can check the baby out thoroughly to make sure that it is in fact just a case of cradle cap and not another skin condition such as baby eczema or a rash caused by an allergy. Some allergies can cause rashes that may look like cradle cap.

If the physician determines that it is in fact just cradle cap, they may recommend using an adult dandruff shampoo. This option should not be attempted unless it is advised by a doctor. Adult shampoos can irritate the baby's eyes if it accidentally gets into them. The physician may also be able to recommend other options that can be tried to treat the baby's cradle cap condition. Follow the instructions given to you by the doctor thoroughly. And be sure to follow up with the doctor if the condition persists or worsens.