What should you know about cradle cap back of head?

Cradle cap can form on the scalp, including the area where the head rests against bedding or a car-seat surface. It may appear as yellowish, white, or greasy scale over mildly red skin. Heat, sweat, and friction can make the patch more noticeable.

A patch at the back of the head is not always cradle cap. Ring-shaped scaling, marked itch, broken hairs, tenderness, pus, or a smooth area of hair loss may point to another scalp problem and should be examined.

Wash the scalp gently with lukewarm water and a mild cleanser, then pat dry. If a clinician recommends it, apply a plain emollient to soften scale before washing and use a soft brush only on flakes that are already loose. Do not scratch, scrape, or leave oily products soaking into the scalp. Guidance on [Emollient Therapy](/treatments/medical-dermatology/emollient-therapy/) can help, while [Topical Antifungal Treatment](/treatments/medical-dermatology/topical-antifungal-therapy/) should be used only when prescribed or advised.

Arrange medical review if the area becomes sore, swollen, cracked, wet, smelly, or increasingly red, or if your child scratches persistently. Seek prompt care for fever, pus, rapidly spreading redness, or a child who seems unwell. Hair loss or thick, firmly attached plaques also need assessment.

Ask which cleanser and softening product suit your child's scalp, how to protect the area from rubbing, and what changes would suggest infection or a different diagnosis. Share whether the patch is under a hat, against bedding, or associated with scratching.