Cradle cap in a 15-month-old child

Typical cradle cap causes greasy or dry-looking scale on the scalp, sometimes with mild redness. It is not caused by poor hygiene. At toddler age, eczema, psoriasis, a fungal infection, or irritation from hair products can resemble it, so the symptoms around the scale matter.

Cradle cap usually presents as adherent white or yellowish flakes, often over the crown, with little discomfort. Seborrheic scale may also appear around the eyebrows, behind the ears, or beside the nose. Strong itching, ring-shaped areas, broken hairs, obvious bald spots, or a rash extending widely over the body are less typical.

Picking can tear the skin and introduce infection. Hair may come away with a loosened flake, but the presence of patchy hair loss or many snapped hairs warrants examination rather than repeated home treatment.

Wash the scalp with a mild, fragrance-free child shampoo and gently massage with fingertips. A soft brush can lift scale that is already loose. For stubborn patches, ask a pharmacist or paediatric clinician whether a suitable emollient can be applied briefly before washing; rinse it out so residue does not build up.

Do not scrape flakes, use adult dandruff products, or apply essential oils. If simple care does not settle the scalp, a clinician may recommend a child-appropriate antifungal or anti-inflammatory treatment after checking the diagnosis and affected areas.

Arrange an appointment if the scalp is very itchy, sore, swollen, cracked, weeping, bleeding, foul-smelling, or developing thick crusts. A spreading rash, bald patches, broken hairs, swollen neck glands, fever, poor feeding, or a child who seems unwell also needs assessment.

Get urgent help for facial swelling, breathing difficulty, unusual drowsiness, or rapidly worsening redness with fever. These are not features to manage as routine cradle cap at home.

Ask whether the appearance is still consistent with cradle cap, whether another condition needs testing, which wash or emollient is appropriate for your child's skin, and exactly where and how long any prescribed product should be used.