What is Seborrheic Dermatitis?

In the simplest of terms, Seborrheic Dermatitis is a case of dandruff gone wild… the kind that goes beyond the symptoms of a dry, itchy scalp. The inflammatory skin condition is marked by flaking, itching and redness that can also appear almost any place on the body, particularly around the eyebrows and nose, behind the ears, and anywhere oil-producing glands are in abundance. Seborrheic Dermatitis on babies also tends to show up in the diaper area, neck folds, armpits and anywhere adorable baby fat gathers to create folds on a newborn’s body. Adults get the same redness, scaling, flaking, and irritation in the same areas as babies. Some things never change…

Flaking and itching are the two most basic symptoms. Signs of Seborrheic Dermatitis in children that tend to raise alarms for parents include redness, scaling, yellow crusting, pink patches, peeling skin, and irritation. In the harshest cases, it could have an unpleasant smell, feel hot to the touch or weep fluid. In those cases, timely care is vital because the child may be uncomfortable.

It’s important for parents or anyone with the condition to know that Seborrheic Dermatitis is not an allergy, is not contagious, and is not caused by poor hygiene. It is triggered by an over stimulation of oil-producing glands in the body, leading to an increased rate of the shedding of the topmost layer of the skin (the epidermis). Add to that genetics, chemical irritants, the skin’s natural reaction to dry, cold weather, yeast levels naturally found in the skin, and stress…and you’ve got the ingredients for Seborrheic Dermatitis.

Who Gets Seborrheic Dermatitis?

Dandruff and Seborrheic Dermatitis can strike at any age. In adults, a change of climate, hormonal changes and stress can trigger an episode. Most adults simply grapple with an occasional bout of dandruff…annoying but manageable. But the same underlying cause, a yeast, can also cause a condition known as tinea versicolor or Malassezia folliculitis (fungal acne).

But it may be surprising for many people to learn how common Seborrheic Dermatitis is in children. 1 in 3 babies will have skin flaking, scaling, redness and irritation during the first year of life. That adds up to 1.4 million infants per year. Because the symptoms can look so alarming, it’s important to know your baby is not suffering from something rare or very difficult to treat. Knowledge is power, and the right skin regimen, consistently followed, can clear up even the worst cases of dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis within a few weeks.

Our Cradle Cap Shampoo is a solution that is not only safe for kids but works effectively on adults as well.

Cradle Cap?

Seborrheic Dermatitis goes by many names. Americans call the condition in babies “Cradle Cap” because the most common version among infants is scaling that envelops a baby’s head down to her eyebrows… like a cap. In Australia, doctors call the very same condition “pityriasis capitis.”

You may also hear variations on the name… like seborrheic eczema, seborrheic psoriasis, and of course, dandruff, the mildest form of Seborrheic Dermatitis. Because some symptoms can be similar or overlap, Seborrheic Dermatitis may be confused with or exist in conjunction with other skin conditions.

With “Cradle Cap”, symptoms typically resolve themselves in 6 to 12 months. That said, it could wax and wane. Newborn dry skin, baby rash and cradle cap could give way to toddler dandruff (1 in 3 children under the age of 5 years old have flaking in their scalps). Avoiding harsh soaps and detergents while keeping a consistent, gentle skincare regimen – including daily hair-washing – will help keep any lingering symptoms at bay for your child. Using a kids seborrheic dermatitis shampoo that is free from harmful ingredients like sulfates is the first line of defense.

Cradle Cap Hair Loss

Hair loss from “Cradle Cap” is NOT permanent. In some cases, as the flakes and scales come off the scalp, hair may come with it. Your baby may be left with hairless patches on the head. Don’t fret, the hair follicles are not damaged and the hair will regrow.

If you have realized that your child has the symptoms of Seborrheic Dermatitis (Cradle Cap) and needs relief then grab a bottle of Happy Cappy medicated shampoo and body wash at your local Walmart, Walgreens, Buy Buy Baby, or on Amazon.

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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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Latest posts by Dr. Eddie Valenzuela (see all)

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