Cradle Cap Treatment: Best Tips for New Parents

May 25, 2023

Discovering flaky patches on your baby's scalp can be concerning, but fear not! Fephas is here to guide you through the process of treating cradle cap. With our expert advice, you'll learn effective remedies and gentle techniques to restore your little one's skin to its natural, healthy state. Say goodbye to cradle cap and hello to a happier, more comfortable baby. Let's get started!

What is cradle cap?

Infantile seborrheic dermatitis (or colloquially known as cradle cap) is a very common skin condition that affects babies. Read below to learn about the symptoms and causes of cradle cap.

What are the symptoms of cradle cap?

Cradle cap is a skin condition that causes flaky yellow or brown “scales” on a baby’s scalp, eyelids, eyebrows, and/or ears. These patches often appear as greasy or even as thick crusts on dry skin. The condition can be itchy for the baby and cause some redness and irritation, but otherwise it is harmless.

Potential causes of cradle cap

Although the exact causes of cradle cap are not fully understood – it is thought that there are several factors that contribute to its development. One of those factors is overactive sebaceous glands. Sebaceous glands are the glands that produce oils in the skin. It is also thought that cradle cap is a fungal infection or that it can be brought on by hormonal changes or by the presence of yeast organisms like Malassezia.

When are babies most susceptible to developing cradle cap?

Babies are most susceptible to cradle cap from when they are newborns to three months old. Hormonal fluctuations are much more commonplace during this age, and can cause hyperactivity in the baby’s sebaceous glands. Even though things are more concerning during this age, there are steps parents can take to help manage and reduce the likelihood of symptoms.

4 helpful tips to reduce cradle cap and promote a healthy scalp

If you are dealing with or worried about dealing with cradle cap with your baby, read below to learn ways to mitigate the risk of cradle cap or reduce the symptoms that your baby may be experiencing.

Check the type of shampoo you’re using

Any harsh shampoo with strong fragrances can exacerbate the symptoms of cradle cap. Instead, opt for a mild shampoo that is fragrance-free or even hypoallergenic. There are even shampoos that are formulated for babies with seborrheic dermatitis.

Wash your baby’s hair more often

During a period of cradle cap, it can be helpful to wash your baby’s hair more often. The combination of the shampoo with a massage on the baby’s scalp can help to loosen and lift the scales and patches of skin. Make sure to rinse thoroughly to ensure that no shampoo residue remains.

Use a hair brush to massage the affected scalp area

Similar to the hair washing scalp massage, a hairbrush can effectively do the same thing. After bathtime, brush your baby’s hair with a soft bristled brush to help remove the scales, and to promote circulation to the affected area. Our Wooden Goat Hair Brush is perfect for helping cradle cap due to its gentle, yet exfoliating nature. Make sure you are extra gentle, though! You wouldn’t want to add any discomfort to the situation!

If cradle cap persists, see a dermatologist

More often than not, cradle cap resolves on its own, especially while following the advice above. However, if the condition persists or gets worse, or even spreads to other areas of the body, we advise contacting and consulting with a dermatologist. The condition that your baby might have may be atopic dermatitis. A dermatologist will be able to provide further evaluation and make other recommendations or even prescribe specific topical treatments.