Overview
Cradle cap is a harmless skin condition that causes yellow or white scaly patches on your baby’s scalp. The scales are greasy or flaky, and a rash may surround them. Rest assured that your baby isn’t in any danger or discomfort. Cradle cap has no negative effects on your baby’s health and doesn’t affect their eating or sleeping. It doesn’t cause itching or pain for your baby, and it usually clears up within a few weeks or months.
Cradle cap is very common and affects most babies at one point or another. Cradle cap usually starts within three months of birth, and nearly all cases appear during a baby’s first year of life. Because cradle cap usually starts early in an infant’s life, it typically goes away by their first birthday. A few babies develop cradle cap at 1 or 2 years of age.
Most cases of cradle cap are mild. Your baby likely won’t need any treatment, and the condition will go away on its own. You can talk to your pediatrician about your baby’s condition if you have any concerns or questions. And if you’d like, you can dote on your baby with some gentle at-home care to slough away the scaly skin a bit sooner.
Cradle cap vs. seborrheic dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis is the medical term for itchy red patches and greasy scales that can affect you at any age (in adults, you know it as “dandruff”). Cradle cap is a form of seborrheic dermatitis that’s limited to your baby’s scalp and occurs soon after birth. You might hear people call it infantile seborrheic dermatitis (ISD).
Some babies can develop seborrheic dermatitis in other areas besides their scalp (like their face or bottom). If that happens, your pediatrician can offer additional guidance on clearing up your baby’s condition.
Symptoms
When to see a doctor
Complications
- High blood pressure.
- Diabetes.
- Heart failure.
- Some types of heart valve disease.
Prevention
- Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
- Don't smoke or use tobacco.
- Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
- Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
- Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Reduce and manage stress.
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