Cradle cap

This leaflet is for anyone looking after a baby with cradle cap.

What is cradle cap?

Cradle cap is a harmless skin condition in babies.

It can appear as crusting or greasy brown, yellow or white patches on your baby’s scalp.  Where this flakes off, the skin underneath can sometimes look red and sore. 

Cradle cap can also appear on your baby’s nose, eyebrows, eyelids and nappy areas. It is not itchy or painful for your baby. It usually clears up by itself.

It is not clear what causes cradle cap. It is most common in babies aged 3 weeks to 12 months. Babies cannot catch it from each other and they cannot pass it on.

What can I do to treat cradle cap at home?

Do

Do not

Gently rub baby oil, olive oil or petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline) into your baby’s scalp. This will help loosen the crust. Gently loosen the crust by using a soft bristled baby brush on your baby’s scalp. Wash your baby’s hair and scalp gently with baby shampoo. You may notice that some hair comes away with the flakes. This is normal. Your baby’s hair will grow back in time. If doing these things is not helping, you can speak to your local pharmacist about cradle cap treatments, such as shampoos.

Use adult shampoos or soaps on your baby’s scalp. Only use baby products. Adult products may irritate the skin or make it drier. Use any peanut-based oils on your baby’s scalp. These can cause an allergic reaction. Pick the crusts. This can make the scalp sore and cause infection.

What treatments are available?

Ask your pharmacist about the following treatments:

• an emollient you can use on your baby’s scalp
• unperfumed baby shampoos
• barrier creams to use on your baby’s nappy area, if it is also affected.

When do I ask for more help?

Talk to your GP or call 111 if you notice any of the following.

• The cradle cap is all over your baby’s body.
• Your baby is uncomfortable, scratching or distressed.
• The crusts leak fluid or bleed.
• Areas around the cradle cap look red or swollen.
• There’s no improvement after a few weeks of treatment, or it appears to be getting worse.

Make an urgent GP appointment or go to your nearest Emergency Department (A&E) if your baby:

• is under 3 months of age and has a fever over 38 degrees C
• is 3 to 6 months of age and has a fever above 39 degrees C
• is feeding less than half of their usual feeds
• is passing less urine than usual (fewer than 3 wet nappies in 24 hours)
• Your baby seems irritable and is not comforted by feeds
• is over 2 months of age and is not comforted if you give them paracetamol (for example Calpol).

More information

NHS information on cradle cap www.nhs.uk/conditions/cradle-cap/