Cradle Cap: A Normal Part of Infancy

"Cradle cap" is a colloquial term for a yellowish, scaly, greasy skin rash, commonly seen on the scalp of newborn babies. It appears in patches and may be crusty around the edges. It's most usually apparent on the scalp, though it can also thrive around the ears, eyelids, and eyebrows. Cradle cap is not itchy and doesn't appear to bother the affected infant, although parents are usually very concerned about it.

The cause of cradle cap is not yet fully understood. It is known, however, that cradle cap is not related to an infection, allergy, or poor hygiene. Some parents change their baby's cot sheets several times daily, or bathe them two to three times a day in an effort to cure the rash; this is not likely to affect it and may, in fact, make it worse. Washing cot sheets in an allergen and perfume-free detergent may help, however. Current medical science believes the rash may be caused by lingering hormones from the mother's body, skin yeasts, or an inability to absorb B vitamins.

Treatment of Cradle Cap

Mild to moderate cases are easy to treat at home, although opinions on the "best" way to cure cradle cap vary wildly. Most of these are best done before bedtime. A common folk remedy is to rub the area with vegetable, mineral, or baby oil before laying the baby down, and apply a few drops to the cot sheets as well, though this may seem counter-intuitive since the rash itself is fairly oily. Rubbing the affected area liberally with Vaseline can help loosen the scales overnight, at which point they either fall off onto the cot sheets on their own, or can be brushed out in the morning. The most commonly recommended method for mild cases is simply brushing the scales out after a warm bath, but if this is not done very gently or if the rash is too severe to be affected, it can lead to scalp damage, temporary hair loss, and a worsening of the condition. Applying a paste of baking soda and water while the baby is reclining on the cot sheets will also help to painlessly lift the scales so they can be brushed away.

Using shampoos is generally not recommended, as they may actually irritate the condition further. Even baby shampoos contain skin-irritating ingredients. Dandruff shampoos should never be used on an infant. However, you can use essential oils (such as lavender) applied to the cot sheets and the scalp, both to help loosen the scales and to relax your infant.

Self-Correcting Problem

Cradle cap will heal on its own, given time, but you can try these methods to speed it along. You may want to find an allergen and perfume-free detergent in which to wash your baby's cot sheets, if you haven't already. It's not necessary to wash the cot sheets more than once a day, but frequently changing your baby's cot sheets and clothing will help reduce the chance of them developing a more advanced case of cradle cap, especially if the rash is more pronounced where their head is in contact with the cot sheets.