$Unique_ID{PAR00047}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Medical Advice:  Cradle Cap}
$Subtitle{}
$Author{
Editors of Consumer Guide
Chasnoff, Ira J}
$Subject{Cradle Cap Yellow scaly crusty patches scalp hair Loss seborrheic
dermatitis anterior fontanelle shampooing shampoos shampoo coal tar salicylic
acid sulfur ointments ointment}
$Log{}

Your Child:  A Medical Guide


Cradle Cap


     Quick Reference

     SYMPTOMS
     - Yellow, scaly, or crusty patches on the scalp
     - Loss of hair in patches

     HOME CARE
     - Mild cases can usually be cleared up by daily, vigorous shampooing.
       Use soap on a wet, rough facecloth wrapped around your hand.
     - If regular shampooing doesn't work, try special shampoos that contain
       coal tar or salicylic acid.
     - If necessary, apply ointments that contain sulfur, salicylic acid, or
       coal tar to the scalp daily.

     PRECAUTIONS
     - Keep medicated shampoos and ointments out of the child's eyes.
     - Stop using medicated shampoos or ointments if the scalp or skin becomes
       irritated or red.


     Cradle cap (seborrheic dermatitis) is a skin condition in which
yellowish, scaly, or crusty patches appear on the scalp.  The crusty patches
are made up largely of oil and dead skin cells.  Cradle cap is most common in
infants, but it is seen in children through age five.  Temporary loss of hair
is common.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

     The key sign of cradle cap is the yellowish, scaly, crusty appearance of
the patches.  A greasy scalp film can be scraped off.  The patches most often
appear on the scalp, but may extend onto the forehead.  Patches may also
appear in the skin fold behind the ears, on the ears, and in the diaper area.
The most typical location in infants is over the soft spot in the scalp called
the anterior fontanelle.

HOME CARE

     Mild cases of cradle cap on the scalp can usually be cleared up by daily,
vigorous shampooing.  Use soap on a wet, rough facecloth wrapped around the
palm of your hand.  If regular soap or shampoos do not clear up the condition,
special shampoos that contain coal tar or salicylic acid are useful.  If
necessary, apply ointments containing sulfur, salicylic acid, or coal tar to
the scalp daily.

PRECAUTIONS

  -  Be sure that medicated shampoos and ointments do not get into your
     child's eyes.
  -  Stop using medicated shampoos or ointments if the scalp or skin becomes
     irritated or red.

MEDICAL TREATMENT

     Your doctor will determine whether the condition is cradle cap or some
other skin condition, such as a yeast infection or an allergic skin reaction.
A steroid cream or ointment may be prescribed.

RELATED TOPIC:  Eczema