Cradle cap on a newborn’s face: what parents should know

Cradle cap on a newborn’s face is usually a mild, scaly skin condition that needs gentle care and observation. It may look like greasy yellow or dry flakes around the eyebrows, hairline, ears, or cheeks. Facial skin is delicate, so rubbing, scraping, or using adult dandruff products can cause irritation.

Cradle cap, also called infantile seborrheic dermatitis, can affect areas with more oil-producing glands. The flakes may sit on pink or mildly irritated skin, and a baby may otherwise seem well. It is not caused by poor hygiene and is not something a parent has spread by touching the baby. A rash that is sharply inflamed, wet, crusted, or spreading may be a different problem.

Wash the area with lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free cleanser, then pat it dry. If scale is stuck, apply a small amount of a plain, baby-suitable emollient and leave it briefly to soften before gently wiping away loosened flakes. Do not pick them off. Keep oils away from the eyes, nose, and mouth, and stop any product that causes redness. A clinician may recommend a specific treatment, such as [Emollient Therapy](/treatments/medical-dermatology/emollient-therapy/) or [Topical Antifungal Treatment](/treatments/medical-dermatology/topical-antifungal-therapy/), when the appearance or persistence calls for it.

Arrange medical advice if the rash reaches the eyelids, becomes painful, blisters, bleeds, develops pus, or forms spreading honey-coloured crusts. Seek prompt care if the baby has a fever, seems unusually sleepy, feeds poorly, or appears unwell. A clinician should also assess facial scale that does not improve with gentle care or is difficult to distinguish from eczema or infection.

Ask whether the rash’s location and texture fit cradle cap, whether an emollient is suitable near the eyes, and which signs would mean the treatment should stop. Mention every product already used and whether the baby has itching, broken skin, or symptoms elsewhere.