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Cradle cap

Cradle cap mainly appears on babies up to 3 months old and can last for a few weeks or months. In rare cases cradle cap can last until a baby is 2 years old. It is a disease of the scalp which is harmless and does not cause the baby any discomfort.

Symptoms
Thick, yellow, scaly patches appear on the baby's scalp. Cradle cap can also appear on the face, neck, behind the ears and in the nappy area where it is called seborrhoeic eczema (dermatitis). Small patches of hair may be lost when the scaly skin falls away. Sometimes the skin may become red and inflamed.

Causes
Cradle cap is NOT caused by poor hygiene, the exact cause is not known although it is thought it may be attributed to over-active sebaceous glands producing too much sebum. In a normal situation the skin on a baby's head will dry and flake but the excess sebum causes the dead skin cells to stick to the scalp. Cradle cap is not contagious.

Treatment
Treat Cradle cap by daily washing with a baby shampoo to help prevent the scale from building up. Warm olive oil applied before bed can help to loosen and soften the scales which can be washed off in the morning. Do not pick the scales as this can cause infection. If the skin becomes inflamed or infected your doctor may prescribe an antifungal cream and/or antibiotics.

NOTE: The health section of Parenting.co.uk is not to be used as a substitute for your GP; if your child is ill then seek the advice of a qualified doctor or other health professional without delay.

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