Cradle cap is one of the most common skin conditions in babies. While it can look alarming, those flaky, scaly patches on your baby’s scalp are usually harmless and often resolve on their own.
Still, many parents want to know whether they should treat cradle cap, what causes it, and how to get rid of it safely. Fortunately, there are several gentle treatments that may help loosen scales and improve the appearance of cradle cap.
Here’s what to know about cradle cap, including its causes, treatment options, prevention tips, and when it’s worth contacting your child’s doctor.
Key Takeaways
- Cradle cap is common, harmless, and usually temporary.
- Most babies outgrow cradle cap on their own.
- Gentle cleansing, moisturizers, and scalp brushing are often effective treatments.
- Picking at scales can increase the risk of irritation or infection.
- Contact your pediatrician if cradle cap worsens, spreads, or becomes infected.
What Is Cradle Cap?
If you’ve noticed flaky, scaly patches on your baby’s scalp, you’re not alone. Cradle cap is extremely common in infants and is usually harmless.
Cradle cap refers to red, white, or yellow oily scales on the scalp. The medical name for cradle cap is “seborrheic dermatitis.” It can sometimes also appear on the forehead, the bridge of the nose, behind the ears, or the diaper area and skin folds.1,2,3 Although it may look uncomfortable, it usually bothers parents more than the baby.2 Over ⅔ of babies are affected by cradle cap at some point in their first three months, and if left untreated, it will usually resolve on its own.2
What Causes Cradle Cap?
Experts have not identified an exact cause of seborrheic dermatitis. There are several theories about its causes, but it’s most likely a combination of factors. Similar to how hormones can cause skin issues like acne during puberty and pregnancy, your baby’s skin may react to your lingering pregnancy and postpartum hormones. These hormones can cause overactive oil glands. This increased oil may cause old skin cells to stick to the scalp rather than simply shed, leading to the appearance of flakes. An overgrowth of a specific species of yeast on a baby’s scalp may also play a role in cradle cap.2
Related: Understanding Baby Acne and How To Treat It
Is Cradle Cap Harmful?
Cradle cap may look uncomfortable, but it is generally harmless and does not usually bother babies. Most cases improve over time without causing pain, itching, or long-term skin problems.1,2
How Long Does Cradle Cap Last?
Cradle cap often improves within a few weeks to a few months. While some babies outgrow it quickly, others may experience recurring flare-ups during the first year of life.1,4
Cradle Cap Treatment: 10 Methods To Try
So, how do you get rid of cradle cap? Although seborrheic dermatitis often goes away on its own over time, you may want to help speed the process along. As always, consult your pediatrician before starting a new treatment for cradle cap. Here are 10 treatment methods to try at home:
1. Leave It Alone
If you’re unsure how to treat your baby’s cradle cap, it’s okay to leave it alone. Even if you do nothing, most babies outgrow it by 1 year of age, but you will likely see improvement within two to eight weeks.1,4 It’s not thought to be itchy, so it shouldn’t bother your baby.1 Cradle cap is considered benign, meaning it isn’t harmful.5 It can be tempting, but do not scratch or pick at the scales.6
2. Oils and Moisturizers
There isn’t a single best oil for cradle cap. Many oils and lotions, such as Vaseline, Aquaphor, mineral oil, baby oil, or even coconut oil, can help dissolve excess oil that is causing the skin to stick to a scaly scalp. However, be sure to wash away the oil after treatment, as it may worsen cradle cap buildup if left in place.7
3. Wash With a Gentle Baby Shampoo
The ingredients in baby shampoo can break down and wash away scalp oils, reducing the skin flakes that stick to the scalp in cradle cap. As mentioned above, baby shampoo should also be used after an oil treatment or application.7 Use a gentle or hypoallergenic shampoo, such as one without fragrance or added chemicals, so it doesn’t irritate your baby’s skin.
4. Rub or Gently Massage With a Washcloth
Another way to help get rid of cradle cap is to massage their head with a washcloth. While you can wash your baby’s head with just your fingers, you can try applying shampoo to a washcloth for a better scalp massage. This may help further agitate the oils while being gentle enough on their soft spots.7
Related: How Often Should Babies Take a Bath?
5. Manual Removal
While you shouldn’t pick or scratch, if your baby’s stubborn cradle cap isn’t responding to normal hair washing and the application of over-the-counter oils and lotions, you can try to manually remove some of the flakes with a soft cradle cap brush, comb, or toothbrush. If you try to pick the scales with your fingernail, you risk scratching the scalp, irritating the skin further, and introducing an infection.3
After applying an emollient such as petroleum jelly (Vaseline), let it sit for five to 10 minutes. Then, gently scrub the area with a washcloth or cradle cap brush. Next, wash away the emollient and the scales, and dry. Lastly, reapply the emollient.7
6. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera gel or cream has been shown to reduce cradle cap. Apply aloe twice daily to the affected areas for 4 to 6 weeks to see significant improvement in scaliness.4 Again, choose a gel without fragrance or added ingredients that might irritate your baby’s skin.
7. Essential Oils
Essential oils like tea tree oil might help decrease the presence of yeast on the skin, which may be contributing to your baby’s cradle cap.4 Other essential oils, such as geranium and lemon, may reduce inflammation if applied topically.8 Conversely, the fragrance of these oils is very strong. On a baby’s sensitive skin, a strong scent may further irritate it.
If you try essential oil treatment for cradle cap, they should always be diluted in a carrier oil, such as coconut oil. Alternatively, you can add a few drops of the essential oil to your favorite baby shampoo. Be sure to avoid baby’s eyes when rinsing oil out of their hair, as this can cause stinging and burning. Some essential oils are not considered safe for infants, so consult your provider or another expert before attempting this treatment.9
Because infants have sensitive skin, essential oils should be used with caution and only after discussing them with your pediatrician.
Related: Are Essential Oils Safe for Babies and Kids?
8. Dandruff Shampoo
Dandruff shampoo containing zinc, selenium, or coal tar and antifungal shampoos (such as ketoconazole/Nizoral) may be useful for treating cradle cap. Because some of these shampoos contain drugs, be sure to consult your pediatrician.
If you get the go-ahead to use dandruff shampoo to treat cradle cap, apply, lather, and leave it on for 5 minutes before rinsing. Rinse well to prevent buildup, and keep the suds out of baby’s face and eyes. You can use it every day or every other day until symptoms resolve. After that, use it weekly to prevent the return of symptoms.10
9. Steroid Gel or Shampoo (Prescription Required)
If your baby’s cradle cap is severe and not improving, your doctor may prescribe a steroid shampoo or steroid cream such as fluocinolone or betamethasone. These are not available over the counter, so you would need to talk to your provider. While these treatments can be effective at improving cradle cap, you should only use them for a short time. They can cause thinning of the skin and spider veins if used for a prolonged period.10
10. Biotin
Studies have shown that biotin supplementation can improve symptoms of cradle cap. If you’re breastfeeding, consider supplementing your own diet with biotin. You can also talk to your pediatrician about adding a biotin supplement to your baby’s diet. Biotin is made in the gut, and babies have immature guts, so many babies have a biotin deficiency that may be linked to cradle cap symptoms.4
Is There a Way to Prevent Cradle Cap?
Because excess scalp oil can contribute to cradle cap, gentle scalp care can help reduce buildup and lower the risk of it developing or returning. However, skin oils do serve a purpose, so we don’t want to use anything too harsh or abrasive that would completely strip the scalp of its oils. To prevent cradle cap, wash baby’s hair often with a mild shampoo, then scrub gently with a washcloth or soft-bristled brush. After bath time, apply baby lotion or oil to replenish the stripped oils and keep their skin moisturized.11
When To Call Your Doctor About Cradle Cap
Most of the time, you do not need to make a separate call or visit the pediatrician for cradle cap. You can always mention it during a routine check-up, but it usually resolves on its own or with at-home treatments. However, if it doesn’t get better or continues to worsen, you can call your child’s doctor. They may prescribe a cream or shampoo to help treat cradle cap. If it still doesn’t improve after using that prescription, you should let your provider know.11 A dermatologist may also be able to help.
Other situations in which you may want to call your doctor include:6
- A bleeding or oozing scalp
- Cradle cap that’s spreading to multiple other parts of the body
- An odorous or infectious smell from the scalp
- Swelling of the skin on the scalp
- Baby is in obvious discomfort or irritation, and you suspect that it’s related to cradle cap
Cradle cap can be difficult to ignore, especially when those flaky scales seem so easy to remove. Most of the time, they will go away on their own if left alone. Despite the temptation to pick, they are better left alone due to the risk of infection. If your baby’s cradle cap is severe, there are many simple at-home remedies to try to help get rid of it.
Most of the time, a separate doctor’s visit for seborrheic dermatitis isn’t warranted, but you can check with your provider about the safety of various treatments if it seems to be getting worse. For most babies, cradle cap will disappear as quickly as it came, and you will look back on just another fleeting memory from infancy.
