Cradle Cap :Causes-Symptoms-Diagnosis-Treatment

 

 What Is a Cradle Cap?

Cradle cap may be a common skin condition in newborns and babies that causes rough patches on their scalp. Babies are famous for his or her soft, sleek skin, however dermatitis is common in newborns.


After you see these rough patches on your baby’s head, you may worry that it’s one thing serious. dermatitis is common and harmless. It’s the baby sort of dandruff.


What Is a Cradle Cap?
 Cradle Cap




This skin condition got its name as a result of the foremost common place for the scaly patches to point out up is on the head, wherever a baby would wear a cap.


You can usually eliminate it in a very few easy steps. Even though you don’t do anything, it ought to flee on its own with time.Cradle cap (infant seborrheic dermatitis, or ISD) may be a harmless skin condition that seems like yellow scaly patches encircled by a red rash on the scalp of babies. regarding seven out of ten babies develop dermatitis between 2 and 6 weeks of birth.


Your baby isn't in any danger. dermatitis has no negative effects on your baby’s general health and doesn’t have an effect on sleep or feeding. It always disappears over an amount of weeks or months associate degreed usually isn’t seen when twelve months of age.Cradle cap isn't contagious to others. it's seldom restless or uncomfortable for your baby. dermatitis is not thanks to an allergic reaction or poor hygiene, or to an infection or fungus, and can not leave scars.

  1. Skin

  2. Subcutaneous tissue

Medical terms

Cradle cap causes crusty or oily scaly patches on a baby' scalp. The condition isn't painful or itchy. However, it can cause thick white or yellow scales that aren't simple to remove.

  • dermatitis sometimes clears abreast of its own in weeks or a couple of months. Home care measures embrace washing your baby' scalp daily with a light shampoo. could} assist you loosen and take away the scales. Don't scratch the cradle cap.
  • If cradle cap persists or appears severe, your doctor may recommend a medicated shampoo, lotion or different treatment.
  • Cradle cap is a common occurrence in newborns It looks like flaky yellowish scales and often occurs on the scalp face and other parts of the body Cradle cap usually starts at about 2 to 3 weeks after birth but it can happen anytime between birth and 6 months While cradle cap does not hurt your baby it can be very irritating for you to see Fortunately there are some home remedies that can help remove cradle cap fast from your baby's skin.
  • You may not have heard of cradle cap but chances are you've seen it It's a common term for an irritating and itchy rash on a newborn's scalp usually caused by the excess buildup of skin cells or sebum Cradle cap is present from birth and most often goes away on its own within several months of age.

Cradle cap is a type of skin problem that appears on a baby's head shortly after birth Most babies develop it sometime in the first few months of life Although it's common cradle cap isn't pleasant for the baby or for parents to look at and it can bother the infant Fortunately most cases will go away without any treatment within three months of when they start.

Symptoms Cradle cap

Cradle cap sometimes seems like a pale yellow, oily or waxy scale or crust at the rear or on the highest of your baby’s head. typically the dimensions will unfold to your baby’s eyebrows and behind their ears. Some babies even catch on their torsos.


the dimensions or crust is troublesome to peel off. beneath the scale or crust, you would possibly notice inflamed or irritated skin. On youngsters with lighter skin, the inflammation might look red. On children with darker skin, the inflammation might look brown, purple or gray.

Common signs of cradle cap include:

  • Patchy scaling or thick crusts on the scalp

  • Oily or dry skin covered with flaky white or yellow scales

  • Skin flakes

  • Possibly mild redness

Similar scales may be given on the ears, eyelids, nose and groin.

dermatitis is common in newborns. it always isn't itchy.

dermatitis is the common term for infantile seborrheic dermatitis. It's generally confused with another skin condition, dermatitis. A serious} distinction between these conditions is that atopic dermatitis usually causes significant itching.

When to see a doctor

See your baby's doctor if:

  • You've tried treating it at home without success

  • The patches spread to your baby's face or body

Causes Cradle cap

The exact explanation for kid dermatitis is unknown. overrun of your baby’s oil-producing oleaginous glands or a sort of yeast within the oil could contribute to your baby’s condition. The glands are on the baby’s scalp. Scientists assume the dynamical endocrine levels in the mother’s body throughout maternity may cause a baby’s sebaceous glands to overproduce. traditional skin cells are naturally shed AN exceedingly|in a very} method referred to as desquamation. However, the cells can stay stuck to the scalp if there's an abundance of oil. This causes no hurt to your baby.The cause of dermatitis isn't known. One causative issue may be hormones that pass from the mother to the baby before birth. These hormones will cause an excessive amount of production of oil (sebum) within the oil glands and hair follicles.

Another issue could also be a yeast (fungus) referred to as malassezia (mal-uh-SEE-zhuh) that grows in the secretion together with bacteria. Antifungal treatments, cherish ketoconazole, are typically effective, supporting the concept that yeast may be a causative factor.

dermatitis isn't contagious, and it's not caused by poor hygiene.

Should I remove the cradle cap?

Cradle cap — also called infantile seborrheic dermatitis — is a skin condition that usually appears in newborns and infants It causes thick yellowish-brown scales to form on the scalp Cradle cap usually goes away on its own within three months of birth according to Parents magazine The best way to treat cradle cap is by using mild baby shampoo or other non-medicated cleansers designed for use on your baby's skin.

Is the cradle cap just dandruff?

Cradle cap is a flaky crusty condition of the scalp that frequently affects babies Cradle cap usually clears up on its own within six to eight weeks but it may last longer if your baby is premature or has other medical conditions Cradle cap does not bother your child but it can be unsightly and uncomfortable for you to deal with Cradle cap occurs when a baby's sebaceous glands -- which secrete an oily substance called sebum -- become clogged with skin cells and oil The excess sebum then combines with skin cells and forms yellowish-white scales on the scalp While cradle cap can appear anywhere on your.

Is coconut oil good for cradle caps?

Coconut oil can be applied directly to the scalp but it will take more than one application You'll probably need to use it for a few weeks before you see any results If your child's cradle cap is severe you should talk to your pediatrician before using it It's also not recommended if your child has eczema or psoriasis or if she has an allergy to nuts or coconuts.

Is it OK to comb the cradle cap?

Cradle cap is a common skin condition in babies where the scalp becomes greasy and develops dandruff-like scales Cradle cap does not pose any serious health risks for your baby but it can get a little messy because of the flaking and itching There are several ways to manage cradle cap including using a soft-bristled hair comb to remove flakes from your baby's scalp As long as you're gentle when combing his scalp it's OK to keep your baby's cradle cap under control by using this method on him.

Does breastmilk help cradle cap?

Cradle cap is a common skin condition that causes flaky or scaly patches on your baby's scalp It occurs when oil glands in the skin produce too much sebum and skin cells which then build up into dry flaky scales Cradle cap generally starts when babies are two months old and can continue until they are around two years old There is no cure for cradle cap but it's easy to treat with over-the-counter medications such as selenium sulfide shampoo or hydrocortisone cream Some moms also find that breastmilk helps clear their baby's cradle cap because of its anti-inflammatory properties according to the Baby.

Prevention Cradle Cap

Once the dermatitis is below control, you'll be able to keep it tidy by washing your baby’s hair typically enough with baby shampoo and brushing their scalp with a soft brush. raise your pediatrician however often to clean your baby’s hair when the cradle cap goes away.


Your doctor can also advise that you simply use the adrenal cortical steroid cream or another lotion or ointment after the cradle cap has stopped being a problem.Shampooing your baby's hair each few days can facilitate forestall cradle cap. follow a gentle baby shampoo unless your baby' doctor recommends one thing stronger.

Diagnosis Cradle cap

Health care professionals will diagnose dermatitis and dermatitis by the approach to the skin appearance and wherever the rash is. Babies with seborrheic dermatitis are sometimes well and also the condition ought to recuperate on its own or with treatment.Your attention supplier can build the designation of cradle cap just by gazing at your baby’s scalp. The redness and the flaky scales and where the patches occur are simple clues to distinctive the condition. No laboratory studies or biopsies are needed.

  1. Skin test

Treatment Cradle cap

Cradle cap doesn’t ought to be treated. it always clears by itself among many months of birth, as mum’s hormones leave your baby’s body.


If you would like to induce elimination of the crusts, frequently massage balm or mixture like petroleum jelly into the crusts before bathing your baby. you'll be able to additionally add a shower oil to your baby’s bath. Use gentle baby shampoo to clean this out. Over time, the crusts will soften and will depart simply if you sweep over them with a cotton bud or soft baby toothbrush.

Don’t force the crusts, as a result of this would possibly build your baby’s skin to bleed.

If the crusts are inflamed, your GP might dictate a mix of gentle steroid and anti-yeast cream – for example, Hydrozole cream. place the cream on your baby in keeping with your GP’s directions and therefore the instructions on the tube or packet.

Sometimes, your GP or kid and family health nurse might advocate an over-the-counter anti-dandruff shampoo. This will irritate your baby’s skin and eyes, therefore you must dilute it in water if you are going to use it. And you should use it on your baby for no more than two weeks.

Don’t be troubled if the dermatitis comes back once treatment. This simply implies that your baby’s glands are still creating further oil. The cradle cap ought to clear by 6-12 months.Cradle cap sometimes doesn't need medical treatment, because it usually goes away on its own. In the meantime, wash your baby's hair once daily with gentle baby shampoo. If the scaling is heavy, apply oil to the scalp for some hours before shampooing. Then wash the hair as was common and brush the scalp gently with a soft brush to loosen the scale.

If frequent shampooing doesn't help, speak together with your baby's doctor regarding a product that may help, equivalent to a low-potency Cortef cream or a shampoo with two p.c antifungal ketoconazole medication. make sure the shampoo doesn't get in your baby' eyes, because it may cause irritation.

Don't use over-the-counter cortisone or antifungal creams while not rebuking your baby' doctor, as a result a number of these products are hepatotoxic once absorbed through a baby's skin. Dandruff shampoos that contain hydroxy acid aren't suggested to be used in babies either, because they'll be absorbed through the skin.

Lifestyle and home remedies

The following over-the-counter treatments and residential care tips will assist you management and manage cradle cap.

  • Gently rub your baby's scalp with your fingers or a washcloth to loosen the scales. Don't scratch.

  • Wash your baby's hair once every day with delicate baby shampoo. Loosen the scales with a small, soft-bristled brush or toothed comb before remotion off the shampoo.

  • If the scales don't loosen easily, rub mixture or some drops of oil onto your baby' scalp. Let it soak into the scales for a few minutes, or hours if needed. Then brush and shampoo your baby' hair as usual. If you permit the oil in your baby's hair, the dermatitis could get worse.

  • Once the scales are gone, wash your baby's hair each 2 to a few days with a light shampoo to forestall scale buildup.

Preparing for your appointment

If your baby's dermatitis doesn't improve with home care measures or starts to spread, create a meeting along with your baby's pediatrician. Here's some info to assist you in hardening your visit.

What you can do

Your baby's doctor will want to know:

  • How long your baby has had cradle cap

  • What you've done to treat it

  • How often you shampoo your baby's hair

  • What products you've tried

General summary

  • Cradle cap is a buildup of thick yellowish or brown crust in the hair follicles of your baby's scalp The condition isn't serious and usually clears up on its own within a few months Cradle cap can occur at any time during your baby's first year but it most often begins between 2 and 4 months of age Although cradle cap is common it isn't universal—only about half of all babies develop cradle cap during their first year.

  • Cradle cap also known as seborrheic dermatitis is a common rash in infants Cradle cap occurs when the skin produces too much oil and dead cells causing scales to form on the scalp This condition may be uncomfortable for your baby but is completely harmless Fortunately there are a number of ways to treat cradle cap naturally without harsh chemicals or expensive treatments.

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