If your baby seems to be suffering from a bad case of dandruff, then she probably has a condition known as cradle cap. This condition is treatable and knowing how to identify it quickly will help combat it with more ease.
Also known as infantile seborrheic dermatitis, cradle cap is a skin condition that affects infants. It starts on the scalp and then can spread to other parts of the body. It is an inflammatory skin condition that is characterised by red bumps that are smaller than infant acne and progresses to form yellow, crusty skin that flakes when touched. Cradle cap usually affects infants within the first three months of their lives and can continue to progress for the first year.
The simple answer is no. The skin condition is not contagious and is harmless if unsightly. It will not cause any form of distress to your baby including itching.
While no specific reason has been pinpointed towards the manifestation of cradle cap, there can be several underlying causes that trigger this condition.
An excessive production of sebum by the sebaceous glands can cause cradle cap. Sebum keeps the skin smooth and supple. However, if the glands are clogged for whatever reason, they go into an overdrive state with the express intent of unblocking themselves. This causes the yellowish crusts on the scalp.
If your child is exposed to damp heat, as in places that have high humidity during summer, then this could cause cradle cap. The heat will dry out the sebaceous glands, causing them to overwork. Due to the dampness, your baby could also suffer from diaper rash.
A fungal infection, such as the Malassezia fungus that affects the sebaceous glands could cause cradle cap.
A significant deficiency of Biotin, one of the B12 vitamins, could cause cradle cap in your baby.
Lack of specific enzymes that convert essential fatty acids has also been linked to the manifestation of cradle cap.
Over washing your child’s head will result in the drying out of the sebaceous glands. Some shampoo products could also be too harsh for your baby’s delicate skin.
There are a few signs you can keep a look out for when it comes to a skin condition like Cradle Cap.
The good news about Cradle Cap is that it will disappear on its own. While it usually manifests in the first three months of your baby’s life, it should disappear by the 8th to 12th month. However, there have been cases where the Cradle Cap has reoccurred in patches during the later years.
There are certain remedies that you could try to alleviate the occurrence of Cradle Cap on your baby. These include:
While is it impossible to remove the chances of the occurrence of cradle cap entirely, there are specific steps you may take to reduce the incidence.
Under no circumstance must you try to peel away the yellow scales on your baby’s scalp. Doing so could result in the skin peeling, causing bleeding. Once the scalp clears up, you must ensure that you take extra care with cleaning and maintaining the health of your baby’s scalp for a few months.
If any lesions do occur on your baby’s skin, make sure to clean them daily to prevent any fungal or bacterial growth.
If you are choosing to breastfeed your child, then you can follow the below tips to tackle the occurrence of cradle cap on your baby.
There are some instances of Cradle Cap where it is best to seek immediate medical advice. A severe attack of cradle cap can cause the skin to crack and bleed. This could also be an indication of a weak immune system. If a case of Cradle Cap occurs in conjunction with prolonged diarrhoea, then you must consult your paediatrician.
The cradle cap symptoms could also spread to other parts of your baby’s body. If your baby seems to be having a fungal infection that is persistent and does not go away with antibiotics, then you must not hesitate in seeking help from an experienced paediatrician.
While cradle cap is not a harmful condition and disappears on its own, you must keep a close check on the same. In case you notice any other signs of illness, then it is best to consult your doctor right away.