Did you notice that your baby has developed yellow crusts on his scalp? Do not worry, this is a common condition that affects babies and is called “cradle crap”. It is easily treated and is not related to poor hygiene. Read this article to know more about this condition.
How does it look like?
You will see patches of thick scales or crusts on your baby’s scalp. You can also see oily or dry skin with white flakes or yellow scales. There might be some redness. You can also see these scales in other areas like ears, eyelids, and nose. These scales are not itchy.
Sometimes cradle cap is confused with other conditions like eczema. The difference between them is the location of the scales and the fact that cradle cap is not itchy in contrary to eczema.
Why has my baby developed cradle cap?
The reason behind cradle cap is still unknown. It might be due to the effect of mother’s hormones on the fetus before it is born. These hormones cause increase in the production of oil from the oil glands in the scalp. It can also be due to a fungal infection.
What can I do?
Cradle cap does not need any treatment as it will go on its own within a few months. However, you can wash his scalp daily to aid decrease the symptoms as follows:
1. Rub your baby’s scalp with a baby oil.
2. An hour later, wet the scalp then brush it gently. Make sure you use a soft brush or a fine-toothed comb.
3. Wash the scalp with shampoo. Choose a mild baby shampoo.
4. Rinse the shampoo well and dry the scalp with a towel.
If this is ineffective, you have to consult the doctor who may prescribe medical shampoos and creams. Do not use over the counter creams without doctor’s prescriptions.