why do babies get cradle cap?

Answer 1

Cradle Cap (Infantile seborrhoeic dermatitis, or also known as crusta lactea, milk crust, honeycomb disease(English); // Or in a few other languages (By Andi_VL) croûte de lait,eczéma infantile, dermatite atopique infantile (French); //- ne shqip njihet si - rrjebull ose rrjebulla (Albanian);// crosta lattea (Italian);// and σμηγματόρροια του τριχωτού της κεφαλής των νεογνών (Greek)(you can spell it better in this way - smigmatoria tu trikotu tis chefalis ton neognon)). Cradle Cap is a patchy, greasy, scaly and crusty skin rash that occurs on the scalp of recently born babies. Cradle cap can occur in any baby, and most commonly begins sometime in the first 3 months. The same rash is often prominent around the ear or the eyebrows. It may appear in other locations as well, where it is called seborrheic dermatitis rather than cradle cap.

Contents [hide]
1 Causes
2 Treatment
3 References
4 External links



[edit]
Causes
The cause of cradle cap is not clearly defined but it is not caused by an infection, allergy nor from poor hygiene. Possibly it has to do with overactive sebaceous glands in the skin of newborn babies, due to the mother's hormones still in the baby's circulation. The glands release a greasy substance that makes old skin cells attach to the scalp as they try to dry and fall off. There may be a relationship with skin yeasts (malassezia).

[edit]
Treatment
A small amount of oil will soften the scales. Olive oil is often recommended, but some doctors discourage this, as it may lead to yeast infections. Mineral oil or baby oil can also be used. After several minutes / hours they can be brushed away with a soft brush or cloth. In her book, Dr. Miriam Stoppard also advises washing the baby's hair regularly with a mild baby shampoo. In severe cases some doctors recommend use of dandruff shampoo. Be careful when using dandruff shampoo, as it may irritate the eyes more than baby shampoo.[1]

Answer 2

It's just dry skin. Cradle Cap is just a fancy word for dandruff. Try using a little baby oil in the bath water and scrub the scalp really good while bathing them.

Answer 3

Well. I was told when my oldest got cradle cap that it was because her scalp was dry. I tried everything, olive oil, mineral oil, moisturizing shampoo, scrubbing with a toothbrush, etc. Now she is 14 months and still has cradle cap. I think it depends on the child. Good luck.

Answer 4

it's a form of baby dandruff...their skin is safe inside you for 9 months and then the air hits it...it gets washed with baby soap, and lotion gets put on it...best way I've had to get rid of it..is to put a little baby oil on the area and use a very soft baby hair brush and softly brush it away..

Answer 5

Probably because the scalp is exposed to the air more. We used olive oil.

Answer 6

babies get cradle crap because the soap isn't being washed out enough from their hair, my 18 month old has really thick hair and it is very hard to get all the soap out of his hair, I just keep his hair short

Answer 7

It is the oils on their scalp