Does Cradle Cap Hurt Babies?

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We are used to the idea of a baby having flawless skin, “softer than a babies butt,” some will say. But in reality, a newborn’s skin is anything but immaculate. Babies born close to full term have widespread peeling of their skin, a few days after birth, they get red spots that come and go all over that kind of look like ant bites. They call this erythema toxicum.

They may have been born with fine pinpoint white spots on their nose—milia. Then by one month of age, they may get red dots all over their cheeks—neonatal acne. All of these afflictions described above are completely normal and expected.

Just as some of these rashes mentioned above are starting to clear, and you think, thank goodness that’s over, there is a 50% chance you get another round of skin issues. You may start to see flaking on the scalp and flakes on the eyebrows as early as 3-4 weeks of age.

Most people call this a flaking and scaling—cradle cap. Most doctors call cradle cap by its technical name, seborrheic dermatitis.

Does Cradle Cap Hurt?

What can be intense and localized flaking and scale on the head (in the hair) may lead many parents to ask, does cradle cap hurt babies?

Cradle cap, may not be the most lovely to look at and may smell unpleasant on your 2-month-old, but increased flaking in itself is not harmful. Cradle cap, however, can make certain areas of the body red and the skin weep, and when this occurs it can become itchy—this would possibly be uncomfortable for a baby.

Typical areas where redness occurs are behind the ears, in the neck folds, and in the folds of the groin.

As a pediatrician, I have seen many parents who think that the scale behind the ears is dirt because the child is perfectly content. I have also seen many parents who think the scale inside their happy baby’s ears is ear wax, but really this is also the flaking associated with cradle cap, a.k.a. seborrheic dermatitis.

Does Removing Cradle Cap Hurt?

Cradle cap does look bothersome, and the first thought that may come to mind for a parent after realizing their baby is experiencing cradle cap is how to remove those flakes. Some parents might even think of picking the scales just like someone might consider doing with dandruff flakes.

However, the question arises will removing cradle cap hurt your baby? The answer is yes, if you are doing it the wrong way, which is picking at the scales. And no, if you are doing it the right way, which is with the help of a medicated cradle cap shampoo.

Cradle Cap Treatment

The best way to get rid of cradle cap is to use shampoo for cradle cap. Use a shampoo and body wash that is made specifically for a child’s sensitive skin. Choose a fragrance-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, dye-free, and phthalates-free shampoo that won’t irritate your baby’s skin and worsen the condition.

A cradle cap shampoo that contains pyrithione zinc as an active ingredient will be a great option to choose, as it is known effective in eliminating the flaking and scaling associated seborrheic dermatitis. Cradle cap is of course the common name for seborrheic dermatitis.

Use the medicated shampoo and body wash daily to wash your baby’s scalp and skin when the scaling is severe.
Once the scaling and flaking is improved, you can use it 2 to 3 times a week.
While shampooing, you can also use a cradle cap brush to remove the flakes from your hair gently.
However, make sure only to remove the loose scales and not vigorously scrub the stubborn ones. Don’t worry. They will come off soon.
If after 1-2 weeks of using the shampoo, the child still has no improvement, then an appointment should be made with a health care provider.

Conclusion

Cradle cap itself will not hurt your baby. However, it can cause mild itching that can be uncomfortable for some babies. Or it might hurt them when you try to pick at the scales forcefully, so never do it.

Instead, use a cradle cap shampoo for babies and a cradle cap comb or brush to remove the scales.

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Dr. Eddie Valenzuela

Dr. Eddie Valenzuela is an award winning pediatrician and the founder and CEO of Pediatric Solutions, LLC.

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Does cradle cap cause pain?

No cradle cap usually does not cause any pain to your baby. In some cases, when the scaling and irritation are severe, it can cause mild itching, which can make your baby a little uncomfortable.

What not to do with cradle cap?

Never pick at cradle cap and never leave any type of oil whether it's coconut, olive, or baby oil on the affected area, it will only make your baby’s condition worse.

What happens if cradle cap is left untreated?

Cradle cap, in some cases, resolves on its own within a few weeks and may not require any treatment, while in other cases, it may require the use of a medicated shampoo to soothe the scaling, flaking, and redness that can be found with cradle cap.

Can I remove my baby’s cradle cap?

Yes, you can remove the baby’s cradle cap. However, do it gently. Use a cradle cap shampoo for babies to wash their scalp and soften the scales and then use a cradle cap shampoo to remove the loose scales.