What should you know about buds cradle cap?

Cradle cap, also called infantile seborrheic dermatitis, often appears as yellow, white, or brown scale on the scalp. The skin may look mildly red underneath. It is not caused by poor hygiene and is not usually painful or intensely itchy. Scale can extend to the eyebrows, behind the ears, or other skin folds. Similar-looking rashes can have a different cause, especially when there are blisters, oozing, marked redness, or discomfort, so appearance and the baby’s behaviour matter.

Apply a small amount of a plain emollient to loosen scale, leave it briefly, then wash with a mild baby shampoo and rinse well. Use a soft brush only for flakes that lift easily. Never scrape, pick, or pull attached scale, because this can break the skin and invite infection. Keep shampoo away from the eyes and stop a product if the skin becomes more irritated. If scale is persistent or widespread, a clinician can advise whether emollient therapy or a medicated topical treatment is appropriate for your baby’s age and skin.

Contact a clinician if the scalp is bleeding, weeping, crusted, very red, swollen, or tender, or if your baby seems unwell or unusually unsettled. Seek advice when the rash spreads beyond the scalp, affects the nappy area extensively, or does not improve with gentle care. Urgent assessment is needed if a young baby has fever, poor feeding, unusual sleepiness, or breathing difficulty.

Does this look like cradle cap or another rash? Which emollient is suitable? How often should the scalp be washed? Would a medicated product be safe for my baby’s age?