What should you know about a newborn's flaky scalp?

Flakes may be thin and dry, or greasy and yellowish. Cradle cap is a common form of infant seborrheic dermatitis and often affects the scalp without making a baby ill. Dry air, frequent washing, or a product reaction can also produce scale. Psoriasis and scalp ringworm are less common possibilities; ringworm may cause broken hairs or patches of hair loss and needs medical treatment.

A flaky scalp is a symptom, not a diagnosis. Compare the skin over time rather than picking at it. Background information on [Flaky Scalp](/symptoms/scalp-flaking/) and [Seborrheic Dermatitis](/conditions/seborrheic-dermatitis/) can help you describe what you see.

Wash with a mild baby shampoo and lukewarm water, keeping the lather away from the eyes. If scale is stuck, ask a clinician whether a small amount of plain emollient before washing is appropriate; loosened flakes can be brushed gently with a soft baby brush. Never pick, scrape, or pull at scales, and avoid medicated products unless prescribed for your newborn.

Keep a note of itching, redness, oozing, or hair changes. A clinician may recommend [Medicated Shampoo Treatment](/treatments/medical-dermatology/medicated-shampoo-therapy/) only when the cause and age make it suitable.

Arrange medical review for bleeding, pus, marked tenderness, swelling, a foul smell, spreading redness, or areas of hair loss. Seek urgent help if your newborn has fever, feeds poorly, is hard to wake, or appears generally unwell. These features need assessment rather than home scale removal.

Ask whether the scale resembles cradle cap, how often to wash, which moisturiser is acceptable, and whether any redness or hair change requires a follow-up visit.