How to prevent and treat cradle cap in babies?
Cradle cap is a mild form of seborrheic dermatitis in newborns. It occurs when the sebaceous glands produce too much sebum, the lipid film naturally present on the skin. This excess creates small, thick, yellowish patches: the well-known cradle cap.
From the very first weeks, approximately 10% of newborns may show signs of cradle cap. But by 3 months, the proportion can reach up to 70%.
In babies, pregnancy hormones still present after birth can excessively stimulate the sebaceous glands, which are responsible for sebum production. This naturally oily sebum then mixes with dead skin cells and forms cradle cap: patches of flakes or scales that appear on the scalp and sometimes on other areas of the body. This overproduction also promotes the proliferation of a yeast naturally present on the skin, Malassezia furfur, which contributes to the development of the crusts. Generally, these disappear spontaneously before the baby is 2 years old.
How can you recognize cradle cap?
Cradle cap generally appears in the form of:
- small, thick patches, sometimes a little greasy
- yellowish or whitish flakes
- slightly reddish areas underneath
- clusters of scales stuck to the scalp
They are mainly seen:
- on the top of the head
- around the fontanelle
- sometimes on the eyebrows, forehead, or behind the ears
Good to know: cradle cap generally does not itch, so the baby is not in pain and their skin is not irritated. They are easily recognizable due to their greasy and stuck-on appearance and they persist for several days or weeks without intense redness.
Contrary to what the name might suggest, cradle cap contains absolutely no breast milk or infant formula. It is simply a colorful term to describe an oversecretion of sebum. There is therefore no need to change your breastfeeding habits: cradle cap has no link to milk. It is also not an issue of hygiene, and you should definitely not try to remove them by scrubbing or with harsh products, as you risk irritating the baby's delicate skin.
How can you prevent the appearance of cradle cap?
Cradle cap is very common and, as we have explained, it is not serious. But there are a few simple steps to limit its appearance:
- Regularly moisturize the baby's scalp using a gentle vegetable oil and gently massage the scalp 1 to 2 times a week.
- Avoid washing too frequently because, contrary to what one might think, too much washing does not prevent the appearance of cradle cap but rather stimulates the production of the sebum that produces the crusts in question.
- Choose gentle, sulfate-free products, particularly the baby's washing shampoo, which must never be harsh to avoid irritation and therefore cradle cap. For a baby, a gentle body and hair wash gel can be enough to wash properly.
- Gently brush the scalp using a soft brush to remove dead skin in order to avoid accumulation and therefore the appearance of cradle cap.
- Avoid excessive sweating because it increases sebum production and therefore the appearance of cradle cap. During the winter season, favor light hats.
- Finally, use a moisturizer or moisturizing milk on dry areas of the face to hydrate and avoid dryness on the face or scalp, as dryness promotes the appearance of cradle cap.
How to treat cradle cap if it appears?
If cradle cap appears anyway, we can treat it for cosmetic reasons because, as explained above, this cradle cap is neither painful nor infectious and generally ends up going away on its own without necessary treatment.
Nevertheless, we can, as a first step, soften the cradle cap with a gentle oil (let it sit for 30 minutes).
Wash with a mild shampoo suitable for babies or a gentle cleansing gel suitable for babies, then brush lightly when the crusts have softened.
Above all, do not try to rip off these dry patches or scratch them with your fingernails or a comb; you risk hurting your baby.
When should you consult a doctor to treat cradle cap?
It is advisable to consult a doctor if no progress appears after 2 or 3 weeks of the treatments mentioned above.
Also, if red and rough patches form on other parts of the body, if the crusts spread beyond the scalp (ears, face, body), or in the event of inflammation or an outbreak of pimples around the crusts.
If an infection is suspected, such as the presence of thick yellowish crusts, an unusual odor, or small fissures, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional.
