Cradle Cap
The most common and recognizable form of baby eczema is called cradle cap. Many infants have a bout with this form of eczema at some point during their lives. It is characterized by dry, flaky, or oily, patches of skin on the head. It is not caused by anything that the parents are doing wrong. It’s a simple, non-serious condition that will soon go away.
Understanding Cradle Cap
Cradle cap is actually a nickname for a specific form of eczema called seborrheic eczema. It is caused by overproduction from the baby’s sebaceous glands (oil glands). When the cells produce excess oil, they prevent dead skin cells from shedding, instead creating a buildup of skin cells, which turns into the familiar crusty patches on the baby’s head.
Treating Cradle Cap
Do not try to pick at the patches on your baby’s head. While gentle brushing after a bath may help, actually removing the patches can prevent worse problems. Softening the scalp with vegetable oil, mineral oil, or petroleum jelly is another way to prepare the head to shed the excess skin cells. It is fine to use shampoo on a baby who has cradle cap, but make sure that you are using a fragrance-free, gentle formula baby shampoo. Stay away from medicated shampoos or dandruff shampoos.
Beyond Cradle Cap
Most babies outgrow cradle cap within the first year of their life. If you notice that cradle cap is increasing, affecting the eyes, face, and even the chest and arms, it may be that your baby has atopic eczema. This is not a life-threatening condition, but should be closely monitored and treated using home remedies or medicine in severe cases.
