Cradle cap causes crusting and white or yellow scales on a baby's scalp.
Cradle cap may occur as a result of excessive oil production by skin glands surrounding hair follicles.
The main symptom of cradle cap is scales on the scalp.
Cradle cap usually clears up on its own within a few months.
A mild shampoo can help loosen and remove the scales.
A medicated shampoo can help in severe cases.
Cradle cap, or crib cap, is a type of seborrheic dermatitis your baby can develop.
While it's not necessary to remove, if you wish to do so, you can use creams, try brushing your baby's scalp, and other modes of hydration.
Cradle cap, sometimes also called crib cap, is the baby version of seborrheic dermatitis.
Eventually cradle cap will go away on it's own without treatment.
However you really should use some cradle cap shampoo or any other shampoo that is formulated for dealing with cradle cap.
Usually after the baby reaches a year old or 2 years old the cradle cap will usually go away but it can vary from baby to baby.
More severe cases of cradle cap may take longer to go away than less severe cases of cradle cap.
Surprisingly as of now there's no known cause of babies and toddlers developing cradle cap.
One known possible cause of cradle cap in babies and toddlers is a hormone that is passed from the mother to the baby before the birth of the baby.
The hormones that are passed on to the baby from the mother cause overproduction of sebum which is a natural oil in the babies hair oil glands and hair follicles.
Also cradle cap is not contagious nor is it caused by not keeping the babies hair clean etc.
You can use some baby shampoo or other shampoo formulated to help clean up cradle cap and wash the babies hair 3 to 4 times per week and use a brush or comb to help remove the flakes of cradle cap from the baby.
As the baby gets older the cradle cap will usually go away without any treatment and if the baby does lose some hair they will eventually grow the hair back.