Cradle Cap: What It Is and How to Treat It

You've noticed something on your baby's scalp—crusty, scaly patches that look like dandruff on steroids. Maybe it's yellowish, maybe it's more brown. Perhaps it's spreading. Your first instinct might be alarm, but take a breath: this is almost certainly cradle cap, one of the most common (and harmless) skin conditions in infants.

This guide will help you understand what cradle cap is, why it happens, and how to treat it at home.

What Is Cradle Cap?

Cradle cap is the common name for infantile seborrheic dermatitis—a mouthful that simply means a scaly, crusty rash on a baby's scalp. AAP

What it looks like:

• Thick, crusty, scaly patches
• Usually yellowish, white, or brownish
• May look greasy or waxy
• Can cover large portions of the scalp
• Sometimes flaky, sometimes firmly attached
• Skin underneath may be pink or red

Where it appears:

• Usually starts on the scalp (hence "cradle cap")
• Can spread to eyebrows, behind ears, in skin folds of neck
• Sometimes appears in the diaper area
• Can occur anywhere there are oil-producing glands

When it typically shows up:

• Most common between 2 weeks and 3 months of age
• Can appear earlier or later
• Usually improves by 6-12 months
• Occasionally persists into toddlerhood

What Causes Cradle Cap?

The exact cause isn't fully understood, but several factors seem to play a role: AAP

Overactive oil glands:

• Babies have lots of oil-producing (sebaceous) glands on their scalp
• Hormones passed from mother during pregnancy may stimulate these glands
• The excess oil may contribute to the scaly buildup

Yeast (fungus) involvement:

• A yeast called Malassezia naturally lives on skin
• In some babies, this yeast may trigger an inflammatory response
• The scales may be partly an overgrowth of this yeast

Not caused by:

• Poor hygiene (you're not doing anything wrong)
• Allergies
• Bacterial infection
• Anything contagious

Important to know:
Cradle cap is not a sign of poor care, and it's not your fault. Very well-bathed babies get it just as often as anyone else.

Is It Cradle Cap or Something Else?

Cradle cap vs. eczema: AAP

• Cradle cap: Greasy, yellowish scales; usually not itchy
• Eczema: Red, dry, itchy patches; often on cheeks and creases
• They can occur together, but they're different conditions

Cradle cap vs. ringworm:

• Cradle cap: Scaly all over, not circular
• Ringworm: Ring-shaped patches with clearing in center
• Ringworm is rare in infants

Cradle cap vs. psoriasis:

• Very difficult to distinguish in infants
• Psoriasis is less common
• Your pediatrician can help differentiate

When in doubt, a quick pediatrician visit can confirm what you're dealing with.

Home Treatment for Cradle Cap

The good news: cradle cap usually resolves on its own and doesn't need aggressive treatment. But if you want to help it along (or it bothers you aesthetically), here's what works: AAP

Step 1: Loosen the scales

• Apply a softening agent to the affected areas
• Options: mineral oil, petroleum jelly, olive oil, coconut oil
• Gently massage into the scalp
• Let sit for 15-20 minutes (some parents do this before bath)

Step 2: Gentle brushing

• Use a soft-bristled baby brush or fine-tooth comb
• Gently brush the scalp to lift loosened scales
• Don't pick or scratch at scales—this can cause irritation or infection
• Be patient—not all scales will come off in one session

Step 3: Wash with gentle shampoo

• Use a mild baby shampoo
• Wash daily or every other day until improvement
• Rinse thoroughly to remove oil and loosened scales
• Pat dry gently

Step 4: Repeat as needed

• May take several sessions to see improvement
• Once improved, maintain with regular shampooing (2-3 times per week)

Products that may help:

• Medicated shampoos containing selenium sulfide, zinc pyrithione, or ketoconazole (ask your pediatrician first)
• Specific "cradle cap" shampoos available at drugstores
• Cradle cap brushes (soft silicone brushes designed for babies)

What NOT to Do

Don't pick at the scales:

• It's tempting—those crusty patches are just sitting there
• Picking can irritate skin and cause bleeding
• Can introduce bacteria and cause infection
• Let the oil and gentle brushing do the work

Don't use adult dandruff shampoo without asking:

• Some ingredients are too harsh for babies
• Medicated shampoos should be used only as directed by your pediatrician

Don't scrub vigorously:

• Baby's scalp is delicate
• Aggressive scrubbing irritates skin
• Gentle, consistent care is more effective

Don't stress:

• Cradle cap looks worse than it is
• It doesn't bother your baby
• It will resolve, even without treatment

When to See the Doctor

Most cradle cap can be managed at home, but contact your pediatrician if: AAP

The rash is spreading:

• Moves beyond scalp to large areas of face, neck, or body
• Appears in skin folds (armpits, groin, behind knees)

Signs of infection:

• Redness and warmth spreading beyond the patches
• Oozing, crusting (yellow, honey-colored)
• Bleeding
• Baby seems uncomfortable or in pain

It's not improving:

• No change after 2 weeks of consistent home treatment
• Getting worse despite treatment

Other symptoms:

• Baby is scratching or seems itchy
• Hair loss in affected areas
• Baby has other rashes elsewhere

Your instinct says something's off:

• You know your baby best
• A quick pediatrician visit can provide reassurance or additional treatment

Prescription Treatments

If home care isn't working, your pediatrician might recommend: AAP

Medicated shampoo:

• Ketoconazole (antifungal)
• Selenium sulfide
• Used 2-3 times per week

Topical steroids:

• Low-strength hydrocortisone cream
• Applied briefly to reduce inflammation
• Not for long-term use

Antifungal creams:

• If yeast is a significant contributor
• Applied to affected areas

Most babies don't need prescription treatment, but these options are available if needed.

Cradle Cap Timeline

What to expect: AAP

First 2-4 weeks:

• Cradle cap typically appears
• Can look dramatic at first
• May spread over first few weeks

With treatment:

• Improvement often visible within 1-2 weeks
• May take several weeks to fully clear
• Consistency is key

Natural resolution:

• Usually improves significantly by 6-12 months
• Sebaceous glands become less active
• Most children are completely clear by age 3

Recurrence:

• Can come back, especially if treatment stops too soon
• May return during illness or weather changes
• Restarting treatment usually works

Cradle Cap in Other Areas

When seborrheic dermatitis appears elsewhere, it's the same condition with different names: AAP

On the face:

• Eyebrows: Common, same treatment
• Behind ears: May accumulate, clean gently
• In skin folds: Keep clean and dry

In the diaper area:

• Sometimes called "seborrheic diaper rash"
• Looks different from typical diaper rash
• Pink patches in creases
• May need antifungal treatment

Treatment is similar:

• Gentle cleansing
• Moisturizing if dry
• Medicated treatments if needed

Common Questions

Will cradle cap affect my baby's hair growth?
No. Hair grows normally even with cradle cap. If there appears to be hair loss, the hair is just being shed along with the scales—it will grow back.

Is cradle cap contagious?
No. It's not caused by infection and can't be spread to others.

Does cradle cap hurt or itch?
Usually not. Most babies are completely unbothered by it. If your baby seems itchy or uncomfortable, mention it to your pediatrician—it might be something else.

Can I still style my baby's hair?
Yes. Just be gentle and avoid anything that pulls on the scalp.

Should I apply the oil treatment overnight?
Some parents find overnight treatment helps soften stubborn scales. Just cover with a soft cap to protect bedding and wash thoroughly in the morning.

The Bottom Line

Cradle cap is one of those things that looks much worse than it actually is. Those crusty, scaly patches can alarm new parents, but this common condition:

• Is completely harmless
• Doesn't bother your baby
• Usually resolves on its own
• Can be treated easily at home

The simple approach:
1. Soften with oil
2. Gently brush
3. Wash with mild shampoo
4. Repeat as needed

Be patient, be gentle, and know that even if you do nothing, it will eventually go away. Clara is here if you have more questions or concerns about your baby's skin.