Cradle Cap

Is your baby's scalp a snow globe? Unveiling the truth about cradle cap.

What is cradle cap?

Cradle cap (or, medically known as 'infantile seborrheic dermatitis) is a collection of white or yellow scaly patches on a baby's scalp. The condition isn't harmful or itchy, but can cause buildup of thick scales that are difficult to remove.

What causes cradle cap? 

Cradle cap, similarly to newborn acne, doesn't have a definite known cause. Likely the hormones from birther to baby that pass through the placenta before birth cause an increase in oil production, resulting in dead skin cells getting stuck on the scalp (resulting in scales).

How is it treated? 

You don't have to do anything about cradle cap, especially if it's a mild case. It's harmless and will clear on its own within a few weeks or months. If you'd like to treat it at home:

• use a baby safe shampoo on scalp daily

• apply baby oil to the scalp to soften and loosen the scales, use a soft brush or comb to remove some scaling, and follow up with shampoo

When to call your baby’s provider?

Contact your pediatrician if your infant is less than one month old with blistering on scalp, or if your infant is acting sick. If you are concerned about cradle cap not going away after home treatment, reach out and ask for advice. Medicated shampoo or topical steroids can be prescribed for tricky cases.

Disclaimer: Doulas are not medical personnel and do not diagnose, perform any medical exams or clinical tasks. Information presented above is not intended as a substitute for the medical advice of a properly licensed health care professional.

For more help navigating the seismic shift into parenthood, reach out to the Boston Area Doulas team.
www.bostonareadoulas.com