When you think about baby’s skin, the saying “as soft as a baby’s bottom” comes to mind, and while your newborn baby’s skin is indeed very soft it is also very sensitive and needs to be cared for duly.
As a new parent, you may notice scaly, greasy patches developing on your little one’s scalp. While your first instinct may be to panic, you needn’t – these patches are very common and are a type of seborrheic dermatitis called cradle cap. In fact, an estimated 70% of three-month-olds will experience cradle cap, so it’s something that most new parents will encounter.
That being so, mums and dads, you’re not alone. Here at Nature’s Divine we’re experts in caring for baby’s skin and in this blog we’ll share the causes and symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis as well as our insights on the best treatments for cradle cap to ensure your baby’s skin stays healthy and happy.
Read on to learn how to identify, manage and treat cradle cap in infants and avoid tears!
What is cradle cap?
Cradle cap, also known as seborrheic dermatitis (seb-eh-REE-ik dur-muh-TYE-tis), is a common condition among babies. Symptoms can include red and moist skin in creases and folds (like the neck and behind the ears), skin that is yellowish with greasy patches or crusts, scaly or flaky. It can also show up on the scalp, forehead and face, ears, in the nappy area and armpits.
The scales typically look similar on all skin tones but the skin under the scales may look pink or red if your baby has white skin, or lighter or darker than the surrounding skin if your baby has brown or black skin. This condition is harmless and doesn’t usually itch or bother the baby but there are certain things you can do to treat cradle cap that we detail below.
What causes cradle cap in babies?
The exact cause of cradle cap is unknown though it is likely due to too much skin oil (Sebum) in the oil glands and hair follicles and a type of yeast found on the skin (Malassezia). Babies between the ages of 3 weeks and 12 months are at greater risk of experiencing this condition. Despite misbelief, it is not contagious, and it is not an infection or allergy, nor is it caused by poor hygiene.
When will cradle cap go away?
Although cradle cap doesn’t require treatment and usually clears up on its own within 6 to 12 months, there are things you can do to try make it better. Simple, at-home care (like gently shampooing your baby’s scalp as part of your baby’s bedtime routine) may help speed things along.
If the condition gets worse, your infant’s cradle cap is all over their body or there are signs of infection like bleeding, leaking fluid and swelling, you should seek medical advice from your doctor.
How to remove cradle cap?
It’s common for parents to wonder the best treatment for cradle cap. Below we’ve listed the best treatments for cradle cap that can help slow or prevent the build up of scales on your baby’s scalp:
DO
- Wash your baby’s hair every other day with mild baby shampoo
- Gently remove scales with a soft brush
- If the scales don’t loosen early, apply a small amount of emollient moisturiser or baby oil, let it sit and then use a soft brush to remove the scales (customers have had great results using our award-winning Organic Baby Oil)
- For cradle cap on other parts of the body, your doctor may recommend mild steroid or antifungal cream (don’t use over the counter creams without checking first with a doctor)
DON’T
- Do not use olive oil or peanut oil (because of the allergy risk)
- Do not use adult shampoo
- Do not pick crusts because this can increase the chance of infection
Can adults get cradle cap?
Although most common in infants younger than three months old, seborrheic dermatitis can occur in adults, with about 11% of the population experiencing symptoms. It’s called ‘dandruff’ or ‘pityriasis capitis’ when it’s on teenagers and adults, and ‘cradle cap’ when on an infant. In adults it is a lifelong condition that appears and disappears with treatment and flares up from time to time.
Summary
Whether you’re a first-time parent or are experienced looking after little ones, caring for your baby’s skin is super important. We at Nature’s Divine are dedicated to caring for babies’ unique skincare needs and our organic baby skincare products, which are gentle enough to be used from birth, are specifically designed to help babies with irritated skin, rashes and eczema. You can read more about the many fantastic benefits of organic skincare for babies here on our blog.
Following your doctor’s advice, our tips on how to treat cradle cap and using our nourishing organic baby skincare products, you too can help ensure that your baby’s skin is healthy and protected.
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