Cradle Cap

Cradle cap is the infant form of an adult scalp condition, pityriasis amiantacea, and most commonly occurs in babies up to 3 months old, and rarely persists beyond 6 months. Daily shampooing may help to prevent the occurrence of this problem, by regularly removing dead skin cells from the surface of the scalp.

However, if the problem does arise, a little warmed olive oil can be gently massaged into the affected areas, to soften and loosen, before very gently lifting out the flakes with a fine-tooth comb. Any hairs that are lost with the flakes will regrow. The hair should then be shampooed to remove any residual scale. Whilst cradle cap is not harmful in itself, it may be uncomfortable for the baby, and any associated scratching could lead to infection.