Quick answer: Cradle cap — the yellowish, flaky, crusty patches on a baby’s scalp — is one of the most common newborn skin conditions and one of the most harmless.
Cradle cap — the yellowish, flaky, crusty patches on a baby’s scalp — is one of the most common newborn skin conditions and one of the most harmless. Here’s what causes it, how to treat it, and when it goes away on its own.
What Causes Cradle Cap
Cradle cap (seborrhoeic dermatitis of infancy) is caused by overactive sebaceous glands producing excess sebum. Maternal hormones remaining in the baby’s circulation after birth stimulate these glands in the first weeks and months of life. The excess oil traps skin cells that shed normally, creating the characteristic yellowish, greasy, scaly patches. It’s not caused by poor hygiene, allergy, or infection, and it’s not contagious. It affects approximately 10% of babies in the first year and can also appear on the eyebrows, behind the ears, and in the nappy area.
How to Treat Cradle Cap
Baby oil or mineral oil: Apply to the scalp, leave for 15–20 minutes (or overnight), then gently brush with a soft baby brush and shampoo off. The oil softens the crusts, making them easier to remove. Coconut oil: Widely used alternative — apply, leave, brush, shampoo. Gentle shampooing: Wash the scalp 2–3 times weekly with a gentle baby shampoo. Contrary to the instinct to avoid the scalp, regular washing helps prevent buildup. Soft brush: A soft-bristled baby brush used gently while the oil is on the scalp loosens scales without irritating the skin. Don’t pick — picking at the scales can introduce infection and cause bleeding.
When It Clears
Cradle cap typically resolves spontaneously once maternal hormone levels in the baby normalise — usually by 6–12 months, sometimes extending to 18 months. Most cases clear without any treatment. With treatment (oil + brush + shampooing), resolution can be accelerated. See your GP or health visitor if: the rash spreads significantly beyond the scalp, becomes red and inflamed (possible secondary infection), doesn’t improve with home treatment by 3 months, or if you notice similar patches spreading to the face, neck, or trunk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cradle cap contagious?
No — cradle cap is not contagious and cannot be spread between babies or from baby to adult. It’s caused by the baby’s own overactive oil glands, not by a transferable organism.
Could it be something other than cradle cap?
Conditions that can look similar: ringworm (tinea capitis — causes hair loss and a scaly ring; requires antifungal treatment), psoriasis (less common in infants, more sharply defined silvery plaques), and eczema (typically itchy; baby is distressed by it). If the appearance doesn’t fit classic cradle cap or doesn’t respond to treatment, have it assessed by your GP.
Should I use anti-dandruff shampoo?
Medicated shampoos (ketoconazole, zinc pyrithione) are sometimes used for persistent cradle cap and can be effective. They’re generally not recommended as a first step for infants due to potential skin sensitivity. Ketoconazole 2% shampoo can be used short-term in infants over 2 years — discuss with your GP for younger babies.
When cradle cap needs treatment
Cradle cap (seborrhoeic dermatitis) is self-limiting in most babies — the majority resolves completely by 12 months without intervention. The sebaceous glands that produce the excess sebum causing the scaling are responding to residual maternal hormones, which gradually clear. Treatment is cosmetic, not medical, in most cases. The exception: cradle cap that spreads beyond the scalp to the face, neck folds, armpits, or nappy area is seborrhoeic dermatitis affecting a wider area — this warrants a GP assessment and may benefit from a mild antifungal or low-potency topical steroid. Infected cradle cap — where the crust becomes red, hot, oozing, or the baby develops fever — also requires GP assessment.
Related Reading
- Rashes in babies: a visual guide to common skin conditions
- Cord stump care: how to keep it clean and when it falls off
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