Causes: The exact causes of cradle cap are not known, but the condition may be hereditary and worsen during periods of cold weather or living in northern climates. Cradle cap is not contagious and is not caused by poor hygiene or allergies. Cradle cap may or may not cause itching. Scratching the affected areas may cause additional inflammation and possible infection.

Diagnosis: A diagnosis of cradle cap is made by a visual inspection of the appearance and location of the skin lesions.

Treatment: Cradle cap is a chronic condition that is controllable with treatment. It often goes through cycles of inactivity followed by flare-ups.

Following a doctor's recommendations, cradle cap may be treated with OTC medicated dandruff shampoos containing either selinium sulfide, zinc pyrithione, or salicylic acid.

In moderate to severe cases of cradle cap, shampoos or lotions with ketoconazole (an anti-fungal ingredient) or corticosteroids may be prescribed. If the condition has spread to other areas, lotions with these ingredients may be prescribed and applied to those areas.

Use of medicated shampoos on infants should involved a delicate approach. First massage the baby's scalp to loosen the scales, then apply the medicated shampoo in sections and massage into the scalp area for a few minutes, then rinse thoroughly as you brush your fingers through the scalp to remove unwanted scales and shampoo.

Caution: Excessive use of steroid based creams (corticosteroids) may cause the skin to become thinner. Always follow your doctor's recommendations for treatment of any skin condition.

See Also: Seborrhoeic Dermatitis and Dandruff for more information.