Cradle cap is a rather temporary and harmless skin disease generally suffered by infants of two months to two years of age. In the dermatological terminology, this skin condition is termed as infantile or neonatal seborrhoeic dermatitis. The ailment is also known as crusta lactea, milk crust, or honeycomb disease. Generally, it is not itchy; hence, it does not bother the baby very much.

What are the symptoms?

In Cradle Cap, the effected area gets covered with yellowish, patchy, greasy, scaly, and crusty skin rashes. The rashes occur on the scalp of recently born babies and are often prominent around the ear, the eyebrows or the eyelids. Most commonly, it begins to occur sometime in the first 3 months after the birth of the baby. The same skin condition may appear in other locations as well. But in that case, it is called seborrhoeic dermatitis rather than cradle cap.

What are the causes?

In fact, the cause behind cradle cap is not clearly defined yet. However, it is certain that the disease is not caused by any infection, allergy or from maintaining poor hygiene. It is believed that cradle cap has to do with overactive sebaceous glands in the skin of newborn babies. The overactivity of the sebaceous glands is due to the presence of mother's hormones in the baby's circulation.

Scientists also believe that skin yeasts, scientifically known as Pityrosporum ovale and newly renamed as Malassezia furfur, is responsible for cradle cap. It has been speculated by nutritionally oriented practitioners that the disorder is caused by the baby's immature digestive system. They opine that the digestive system of the patient cannot absorb sufficient biotin and other vitamins of the B-complex.

What is the remedy?

Since the actual cause behind cradle cap is not clear yet, there is no absolute treatment for it. Dermatologists commonly advice to apply vegetable or mineral oil liberally to the scalp and let it soak in overnight. Considering the fact that Malassezia yeasts thrive in oily environments, some are advised to leave the oil for lesser periods of time. The softened scales can then be brushed away with a soft brush, toothbrush, comb, or cloth.

Some of the dermatologists recommend application of petroleum jelly (e.g., Vaseline) liberally overnight as another popular treatment. Mild baby shampoo is often recommended; but specialists are not unanimous about it. Yet, ketoconazole shampoos and creams are taking first place in medical treatment of moderate to serious cradle cap. In mild cradle cap cases, home remedies are thought to be the appropriate treatment.