CRADLE CAP

CRADLE CAP

Cradle cap is a greasy, patchy, yellowish scaly rash that appears on the scalp of young infants.

• The condition is usually common, not painful or itchy and does not cause the infant any discomfort.
• Cradle cap shows up most often within the first three months of life and usually resolves on its own in about 6 to 12 months, although some children have it for more longer.
• The scale may also be found around the ear, the eyebrows or the eyelids, around the nose and in the groin
• Cradle cap is believed to affect 10% of young infants up to the ages of 1 month, and the prevalence peaks at 70% by 3 months of age.
• Cradle cap is also not contagious but can itch if it gets severe.
• Severe cases of cradle cap can provide a place for bacteria especially if the skin is bleeding or cracked.

CAUSES

The exact cause of the condition is not known but the condition is not caused by bacterial infection, allergy or poor hygiene.

One of the contributing factors may be hormones a baby receives from his mother before birth. These hormones may over-stimulate the baby’s oil-producing glands causing too much production of oil (sebum) in the oil glands and hair follicle.  This prevents the old skin from falling off the scalp as they dry, instead they attach to the scalp, resulting in cradle cap.

Another factor may be due to irritation from a yeast (fungus) that grows in the sebum along with bacteria.

SYMPTOMS

• Skin flakes
• Patchy scaling or thick crust on the scalp
• Oily or dry skin covered with flaky white or yellow scales

It is advisable to seek medical help if any of the following occurs,

• The area started to turn red
• Patches look irritated
• The affected area starts spreading to the face or starts to appear on the body
• The young infant develops a fungal ear infection (an ear infection that doesn’t respond to antibiotics).
• If the baby develops thrush ( fungal mouth infection)
• Or the presence of a persistent diaper rash.

TREATMENT

Mild cases of cradle cap will disappear without intervention in a few months.

To help with cradle cap, the parent or caregiver may wash the baby’s hair every day with mild baby shampoo and brush the scalp lightly with a soft brush or a special cradle cap comb to loosen the scales.

After the scales disappear, the washing process should be repeated every few days to prevent a reoccurrence

If daily shampooing doesn’t help, the baby’s doctor should be consulted. The doctor may advise using an adult shampoo. This should be used with care in such a way that it doesn’t get in the baby’s eyes, as it may cause irritation. The doctor may also recommend the use of oil or lotion on the affected area to soften the scaly patches.

In cases that are related to infections, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics, antifungal shampoo or soap.

Parent or caregiver should not any over-the-counter antifungal creams without first contacting their baby’s doctor