How to remove cradle cap from my newborn baby

What is cradle cap?

Seborrheic Dermatitis, otherwise known as cradle cap, is a harmless skin condition that is found in newborn babies that is present in the first few months of birth. While it is generally not exactly known why cradle cap occurs, it is presumed to be a combination of an excess of oil in the hair follicles and oil glands and Malassezia, a type of yeast present in the skin.

The sebaceous glands in the skin help provide water protection to your baby which was needed while living inside the mothers womb, but need to adjust after the change to life outside. This is an extremely common condition that is no cause for alarm and will usually clear up on its own within 6 to 12 months with no treatment.

Symptoms of cradle cap include white or yellow scales on the scalp of your baby, dry or oily skin flakes, or in some cases some mild redness. In addition to being present on the head of your baby, it is also possible for Seborrheic Dermatitis to affect other areas of the body such as the diaper area, the neck folds, or the armpits.

Cradle cap is only cosmetic and will not cause your baby any discomfort such as itching or pain. Additionally, it is not contagious and your baby will not spread it to other children, so do not worry about canceling any baby playdates if this is their only issue.

How can I treat my baby's cradle cap in a safe way?

It is generally not required to actively treat cradle cap on your baby's scalp since it will usually clear up by itself within a few months after birth. That said, if you want to try to remove it sooner there are some simple treatment options that you can try to remove it safely.

Treating your baby for cradle cap can be done in a very simple way by very gently brushing the baby's hair and scalp with a soft brush and washing the baby's hair with baby shampoo every few days. There is no need to get it off in one session as you could possibly irritate the scalp of your baby by doing too much. Try to focus on getting a little off per day, possibly as part of a bedtime routine, until the cradle cap is completely gone.

If there is very heavy scaling, try to apply mineral baby oil to your baby's scalp a few hours before washing your baby's hair and scalp with shampoo.

Do not use anything other than mild baby shampoo or baby oil to treat cradle cap unless specifically advised to do so by your doctor. A good baby shampoo will have a diluted pH level compared to regular grown-up shampoo products, be made from natural ingredients, and not have any fragrances added. We can recommend the cradle cap shampoo treatment by Dentinox, which has almost 5000 reviews on Amazon with a near perfect score.

Will cradle cap return after it goes away?

While it is possible within the first few months up until 1 year for cradle cap to come back due to excessive oil production, once your baby's cradle cap goes away on its own it will generally not return. Since this is just an adjustment to being outside of the mothers womb, eventually the oil glands will regulate themselves and the cradle cap will be gone in no time.

If you do notice a return of cradle cap to your baby's scalp, don't worry. Repeat the previous steps from above by washing their scalp with the recommended shampoo and gently scrubbing what you can with a soft washcloth in the bathtub. If it keeps coming back, you should consult your family doctor about possibly using a stronger medicated shampoo.

Since Seborrheic Dermatitis is an oil gland regulation problem, it is possible especially during puberty that these glands are not regulated as well again and cause symptoms such as dandruff in the child's later years. That said, this is more related to eczema and not cradle cap. As with any persistent condition, consult with your medical professional if you are concerned.

When does my baby need to see a doctor for their cradle cap?

It is not necessary to see a doctor for most cases of cradle cap on your baby's scalp. The exception to this would be if the skin under the scales of the cradle cap becomes infected or inflamed. Like any infection, this can be dangerous to your baby and should be treated by a doctor. Additionally, if the cradle cap continues after 3 months of age or the baby starts to scratch often, this may be a sign of eczema and would require a different treatment altogether.

In extreme cases of cradle cap it would be common for a doctor to prescribe a mild steroid and an anti-yeast cream to deal with the build up and speed up healing in the case of an inflammation. If you notice the cradle cap start to spread to other areas of the body it is also advisable to see your doctor.

Additionally, you should see a doctor if you are not sure in the first place if it is cradle cap. Keep in mind that this is not medical advice and all treatment options should be determined by a trained medical professional.