Just another iHealthSpot WP02 site

Children’s Skin Center - PEDIATRIC AND ADULT DERMATOLOGY

Call Now (305) 669-6555
Request an Appointment
  • Home Page
  • Meet Our Providers
    • Ana M. Duarte, MD
    • Andleeb Usmani, DO
    • PA & NP
  • Services
    • Dermatology
      • Common Growths
      • Skin Conditions
      • Hair & Nails
    • Pediatric Dermatology
      • Acne
      • Birthmarks
      • Eczema & Atopic Dermatitis
      • Molluscum Contagiosum & Warts
      • Vascular Lesions
    • Cosmetic Dermatology
  • Blog
  • Contact & Locations
    • Coral Gables
    • Doral
    • Miami
    • West Kendall
Call Now (305) 669-6555
Request an Appointment

What is Cradle Cap?

September 6, 2019 By Alex Hirsch

Your baby is perfect and thriving. But you can’t help but notice that her scalp appears to be scaly and dry. This common skin condition – seborrheic dermatitis, more commonly known as “cradle cap” – may appear unsightly but don’t worry. Cradle cap is not painful and can be quite easily treated. For both new and experienced parents, here’s what you need to know about cradle cap.

Causes of Cradle Cap

There is no definitive reason why your baby might have cradle cap; it is not the result of poor hygiene nor is it contagious. Rather, doctors speculate that the most likely causes of cradle cap are either due to Malassezia (mal-uh-SEE-zhuh), an opportunistic fungus commonly found growing on the skin; or an excessive amount of sebum (oil) that affects both hair follicles and pores.

Identifying Cradle Cap

Cradle cap presents as a dry, scaly crust on the scalp. Dry flaking or scaly sections may be adjacent to more oilier patches. Cradle cap can create thick whitish or yellowish scales on your baby’s scalp; rashes may appear elsewhere on the body should the dermatitis becomes more severe.

Treating Cradle Cap

In most cases, cradle cap can be easily treated by washing your baby’s scalp daily with a mild children’s shampoo. Gently lather baby’s scalp, using a soft cloth to massage the scalp and help loosen the scales. Some parents opt for a very soft brush to massage the scalp before rinsing away the shampoo. If the scales don’t flake away easily, consider rubbing a small amount of either petroleum jelly or mineral oil onto the scalp. Allow it to soak for a few minutes, then brush the scalp and hair out as normal. Continue this process every few days and within a few weeks you should notice the scales loosening and falling off on their own.

When to Seek Medical Attention

If you find the scalp is not healing or has gotten worse, or that a rash has spread to other parts of the body, seek the care of a pediatric dermatologist. With more advanced cases of seborrheic dermatitis, scaly rashes may appear on other parts of the body, to include the ears, eyebrows, back of neck, and in folds of the body. Because some cradle cap can be fungal in nature, it may also appear in the crotch area. A pediatric dermatologist can prescribe anti-fungal creams and other specially formulated treatments to hasten healing. Remember – never use an over-the-counter treatment on your baby. Always seek the advice of an expert.

Children’s Skin Center is Miami’s premier pediatric dermatology practice. There, Dr. Ana M. Duarte and her expert staff offer a welcoming, inclusive, and kid-friendly practice that offers an array of pediatric dermatological treatments to treat conditions ranging from acne to cancer. For the best in children’s skin care, call the Children’s Skin Center today at (305) 669-6555 or request an appointment online.

Filed Under: Pediatric Dermatology, skin care Tagged With: Children Skin Conditions, Children’s Skin Center, Dermatologist, Pediatric Dermatology, skin care

Primary Sidebar

Categories

  • Acne
  • birth mark
  • Birthmark
  • Bug Bites
  • Cosmetic Dermatology
  • Dermatologist
  • Dermatology
  • Eczema
  • General
  • Hair Loss
  • mole
  • Pediatric Dermatology
  • Psoriasis
  • Rash
  • Skin Cancer
  • skin care
  • Sunburn
  • Tip of the Week
  • Vitiligo
  • warts

Calendar

September 2019
M T W T F S S
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
30  
« Aug   Oct »

Tags

acne Acne-Prone Skin acne break-out acne treatment center Miami FL acne treatment Coral Gables FL acne treatment near me adult acne adult dermatology best dermatologist near me best pediatric dermatologist near me birthmark Children's Skin Center PA Children Skin Conditions Children’s Skin Center clear skin Cosmetic Dermatologist Near Me cosmetic dermatology near me Dermatologist dermatologist Coral Gables FL dermatologist in Miami FL dermatologist in south miami fl dermatologist Miami FL dermatologist near me Dermatology in South Florida dermatology near me Eczema Eczema in Children eczema symptoms eczema treatment near me Pediatric Dermatologist Coral Gables FL Pediatric Dermatologist in Miami FL Pediatric Dermatologist Miami FL Pediatric Dermatologist Near Me pediatric dermatologists near me Pediatric Dermatology pediatric dermatology in Miami FL psoriasis redness of skin skin cancer skin care skin care products skin care tips skin rash treatment near me sun protection sunscreen

Footer

The Children’s Skin Center
Nicklaus Children’s Hospital
3100 SW 62 Avenue
Miami, FL 33155

Phone: (305) 669-6555
Fax: (305) 669-6572

Services
Dermatology
Pediatric Dermatology
Cosmetic Dermatology

Blog
Contact & Locations

Request Appointment
Patient Portal
HIPAA Privacy Policy
Sitemap

Best Dermatologists in Miami

Copyright © Children's Skin Center. All rights reserved.

iHealthspot Medical Website Design and Medical Marketing by iHealthSpot.com

At the Children’s Skin Center, Dr. Ana M. Duarte is board certified in both adult and pediatric dermatology. Our board-certified dermatologists and certified physician assistants offer comprehensive dermatology services for a variety of skin conditions and common growths. Our skin specialists provide treatment for hair and nails, acne, birthmarks, eczema & atopic dermatitis, molluscum contagiosum & warts, vascular lesions and many other skin disorders. Our providers also offer a variety of cosmetic services in our satellite offices in Pinecrest, Doral, Miami Lakes, Miramar, Kendall, and Palm Beach Gardens, FL.