Cradle Cap Coping with a Crusty Crown
CRADLE CAP Coping with a Crusty Crown
That yellow, dry crust marring the perfect beauty of your infant's scalp may look unsightly. But cradle cap, a common skin inflammation that's most noticeable in infants (though children of all ages are susceptible), is usually not dangerous.
Surprisingly, a mild case of cradle cap isn't even irritating to your baby. But it is worth treating if it starts to spread or grow thicker. So if you see that telltale ''cap'' appearing like crust on the scalp, here are some easy ways to cope.
Leave it alone. If the cradle cap is mild and confined to the scalp, it can be safely left alone, says Karen Wiss, M.D., assistant professor of medicine and pediatrics and director of pediatric dermatology at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester. ''Cradle cap may look irritating, but for the most part, it is not bothersome to the baby,'' she says.
Slack off from shampooing. '' Wash your baby's hair no more than every other day, using a gentle baby shampoo. Overwashing has a drying effect and can aggravate cradle cap,'' says Luisa Castiglia, M.D., a pediatrician in private practice in Mineola, New York.
Use a toothbrush. If you do want to do something about cradle cap, scalp brushing may help. ''At the first sign of cradle cap, parents should use a drop of baby oil or cooking oil to loosen up the flakes on the baby's scalp and then lightly brush the scalp with a soft toothbrush. This loosens a lot of scale, which can then be removed by shampooing your baby's hair with regular baby shampoo,'' says Fran E. Adler, M.D., a pediatrician in private practice in Upper Montclair, New Jersey. This treatment is not a quick fix, but if you persist, you may see gradual improvement over time.
Switch shampoos. If the scale becomes very thick, it can be annoying to your infant and may even become infected, notes Dr. Wiss. She suggests shampooing the baby's hair twice a week with an over-the-counter dandruff shampoo such as Sebulex. ''Use a small amount of shampoo, and avoid getting it into the baby's eyes. It won't harm the eyes, but it will sting,'' says Dr. Wiss.
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| When to See the Doctor If you start to see a lot of yellow crusting, pus, redness or tenderness, your child may have developed an infection, says Karen Wiss, M.D., assistant professor of medicine and pediatrics and director of pediatric dermatology at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester. ''An infection can develop if your child is old enough to scratch his scalp and introduce bacteria into the skin. If this happens, it is easily treated with oral antibiotics prescribed by a doctor.'' says Dr. Wiss. You should also alert your doctor if your child's cradle cap stubbornly resists home treatment. It may be a sign of a more serious problem, she says. |
Dr. Adler adds that you'll get the most out of the dandruff shampoo treatment by keeping the lather on for five minutes before rinsing.
Try a special liquid. For very thick cradle cap, Dr. Wiss recommends loosening the scale by using Baker's P & S Liquid, a mild, mineral-oil- based solution available at drugstores. ''Apply the P & S Liquid at night, comb through the scale with a fine-toothed comb and wash it out in the morning,'' she says.
''The baby's fontanelle [the soft spot on the skull] is a delicate area, but it won't be damaged by gentle combing and brushing,'' adds Dr. Castiglia.
Watch out for creeping. If cradle cap starts creeping down behind your baby's ears and onto the neck, it definitely needs treatment, notes Dr. Adler. If your doctor okays it, treat the affected areas with 0.5 percent or 1 percent hydrocortisone cream, which is available over-the-counter. If you apply the cream three times a day, it should clear up that crust immediately, she says. Be sure to consult your pediatrician, however, because this is strong medication, according to Dr. Adler.
