Cradle cap (infantile seborrhoeic dermatitis) is a self-limiting greasy, scaly rash of unknown cause that most commonly affects the scalps of babies. Overactive sebaceous glands, maternal hormones and skin yeasts have been suggested as possible causes.
Most cases will clear spontaneously between 8-12 months of age
Tends to respond well to treatment but can be recurrent in nature
Moisturisers and emollient bath oils can help soften scales for removal with gentle brushing
Mild shampoos help
Ketoconazole 2%
Selenium sulphide shampoo
Tar containing shampoo
Some authors have suggested avoiding olive oil to treat this condition, on the basis that it can encourage the proliferation of Malassezia yeasts, a suggested virulence factor. However, there is no evidence that use of olive oil worsens cradle cap.
Cradle cap
Tags: cradle cap, dermatitis, eczema
Marikar, D. Cradle cap, Don't Forget the Bubbles, 2013. Available at:
http://doi.org/10.31440/DFTB.3393
Cradle cap (infantile seborrhoeic dermatitis) is a self-limiting greasy, scaly rash of unknown cause that most commonly affects the scalps of babies. Overactive sebaceous glands, maternal hormones and skin yeasts have been suggested as possible causes.
Presentation
Management
Some authors have suggested avoiding olive oil to treat this condition, on the basis that it can encourage the proliferation of Malassezia yeasts, a suggested virulence factor. However, there is no evidence that use of olive oil worsens cradle cap.
Differential Diagnosis
References
About Dilshad Marikar
Paediatric trainee based in England. He is interested in all things paediatric with the exception of head lice. Developer of a WETFLAG app
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