How Long Does Cradle Cap Last? Discover the Secret Tips

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Seborrheic dermatitis, which is commonly referred to as “cradle cap” in babies and young children, is a skin condition that can linger for quite some time. It’s difficult to say exactly how long the condition will last, given that the length of time can vary from one child to the next.

In general, however, it will take far less time to resolve the condition when parents decide to use a medicated baby shampoo for cradle cap rather than waiting for the symptoms to go away on their own.

How Long Does Cradle Cap Last in Infants?

Seborrheic dermatitis is an extremely common skin condition that can affect up to 42 percent of children. Most children who develop “cradle cap” do so between the ages of two weeks and 12 months. However, it is possible for older children to develop seborrheic dermatitis as well.

Some cases of seborrheic dermatitis may resolve in a matter of a few weeks. However, other children may have this skin condition for several months. It can even persist long beyond a child’s first birthday. Some cases of cradle cap are more extensive, which can extend the total time it takes to resolve the condition.

Will Cradle Cap Go Away on its Own?

Cradle cap usually goes away on its own without any treatment within a few weeks or months. However, some babies may experience severe flaking and scaling that may become worse if proper treatment and attention are not given to it.

The severe scaling can cause itching and irritation for the baby, and may also cause hair loss when the scales come off. To prevent any complications associated with it, it is best to consult a pediatrician or use a cradle cap shampoo to relieve the symptoms associated with cradle cap.

How to Get Rid of Cradle Cap Fast?

Although seborrheic dermatitis does not cause symptoms that are bothersome or painful to the child, it’s perfectly natural to want the condition to resolve as quickly as possible. No parent wants to see their child have flaky crusts on the scalp, face, torso, or other areas.

Use a Cradle Cap Shampoo

The good news is that the use of a medicated shampoo for cradle cap can help children enjoy clear, healthy skin once more. Parents should note, however, that it’s important to avoid the use of adult-formulated products, as these are too harsh for a child’s sensitive skin.

Instead, you can use the first and only seborrheic dermatitis shampoo for babies.

This shampoo is formulated especially for children of all ages. It is free of all potentially irritating substances, including parabens, dyes, sulfates, fragrances, and alcohol.

By using this product as directed, parents can see an improvement in symptoms in as few as one or two baths.
Children with a more severe case of seborrheic dermatitis may require daily baths with medicated shampoo and body wash for three to seven days before tapering to twice-a-week use.
The majority of cases will significantly clear within one to two weeks. Twice a week use may need to be continued for many weeks or months to keep the condition at bay.
Leave the shampoo on the baby’s scalp for a few minutes before rinsing it off.
You can also use your fingertips or a cradle cap brush to massage the scalp while shampooing to remove the scales gently.

If you notice that your baby’s cradle cap is not getting better even after the use of a medicated shampoo, then consult a doctor there are chances your baby may be experiencing any other common skin condition like eczema with it.

Does Cradle Cap Come Back?

Cradle cap is caused by factors that are not in your control, like excess sebum produced by the sebaceous glands and overproduction of Malassezia yeast. So even after you have treated cradle cap there are chances it will come back again.

The sebaceous glands continue to produce excess sebum whenever they feel like it, and this is why some people may experience seborrheic dermatitis even beyond infancy and into adulthood.

Where to Find Happy Cappy Medicated Shampoo?

You can find Dr. Eddie’s Happy Cappy Medicated Shampoo & Body Wash online at Amazon, Walmart.com, and Walgreens.com. You can find it in select Walgreens and Walmart stores nationwide. In addition to using the medicated shampoo, try Dr. Eddie’s Happy Cappy Moisturizing Cream. For best results, apply the moisturizing cream to the affected areas twice daily to soothe redness and hydrate the skin.

Conclusion

There is no exact answer to how long will cradle cap will last because every baby is different, and the severity of the condition may also vary. However, in most cases, it usually resolves in a few weeks or months, and the symptoms can get better even faster with the use of cradle cap baby shampoo. In some cases, cradle cap may not quickly respond to a medicated cradle cap shampoo.

If you are unsure about anything or the baby’s condition is not getting better in a couple of weeks then it is best to consult a pediatrician.

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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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How often should I wash my baby’s hair with cradle cap?

Wash your baby's hair with a cradle cap shampoo once daily when the flaking and scaling are severe or as prescribed by the doctor. If the flaking is mild, you can use it 2 to 3 times a week.

When to be concerned about cradle cap?

If the condition is not getting better or getting worse even after the use of medicated shampoo, then you should be concerned about your baby’s cradle cap and consult a doctor.

Should you remove cradle cap or leave it alone?

Some parents prefer to leave cradle cap alone, while others might want to get rid of it fast. However, if your baby is experiencing this condition, it is best to wash their scalp and skin with a baby shampoo and body wash for cradle cap two or three times a week.

How to get rid of cradle cap fast?

One of the fastest ways to get rid of cradle cap is with the use of a pyrithione zinc shampoo. It has been known effective for decades in reducing the flaking, scaling, and inflammation associated with seborrheic dermatitis, and dandruff. Cradle cap is the common name for seborrheic dermatitis.