Yellowing of the scalp for infants can be caused by jaundice or cradle cap. Although they both cause yellowing and are common for infants, the conditions have different physical appearances, so most parents will have no problems distinguishing between them.
Causes
Jaundice is common during the first few weeks of life for newborns because newborns are born with more red blood cells than needed. As the red blood cells are broken down to be recycled by the liver, a product called bilirubin is produced. It can take a newborn's liver a few days to remove bilirubin, so the excess in the blood can cause an infant's yellow appearance.
Jaundice is more common in breastfed infants since most mothers' milk is not ready for a few days. However, breast milk still provides the greatest benefits to your infant. When the milk comes in, infants will normally dispose of the excess bilirubin through their bowel movements.
The cause of cradle cap is unknown.
Identification
For jaundice, an infant will have a yellow pigment to her skin. The yellowing will typically begin at the head and progress to the feet. The severity of the color depends on the level of bilirubin in the blood. The yellow pigmentation will affect the skin and whites of the eyes. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, when bruises turn yellow, this is caused by the same bilirubin that causes jaundice in newborns.
Cradle cap develops as thick yellowish scales on an infant's scalp. These scales may appear as several layers of crust covering partial areas or the entire scalp. The area may also peel or flake, especially when brushed. It's not painful, but in severe cases, it can cause itching.
Time Frames
According to Kids Health, jaundice will typically begin during the second or third day of life. In most cases, mothers and their newborns are released from the hospital within 72 hours of delivery, so it's important to follow up with a doctor within a couple days of being discharged whether or not your baby has signs of jaundice.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, jaundice typically disappears within two to three weeks with breastfed babies and within two weeks for formula-fed babies. Consult a doctor if the jaundice has not disappeared after three weeks.
Cradle cap will typically appear when your baby is a few months old and disappears on its own within a few months.
Treatments
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, if you are breastfeeding your newborn, increase the number of times you nurse per day to eight to 12 feedings. This will increase the amount of milk your breasts produce, which will help keep the level of bilirubin down in your baby. Another treatment option for jaundice is phototherapy, which involves specialized lights to dissolve excess yellow pigments in the skin, according to "The Baby Book."
Under most circumstances, cradle cap will not need to be treated. If you want to treat it for itching reasons or because you don't like the appearance, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests washing the hair more frequently with a mild baby shampoo and using a soft brush to remove the scales. A doctor may prescribe a medicated shampoo, or in some cases, an ointment.
Doctor
According to Kids Health, immediately contact your doctor if your baby had jaundice within 24 hours of birth and has a fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, appears sick or the severity of the yellowing is increasing. Although it is rare, high bilirubin levels left untreated can cause brain damage, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
If your child has cradle cap, contact your doctor to determine which route of treatment would be the best. If your infant is not experiencing discomfort from the cradle cap, a doctor may just recommend continuing to wash your infant's hair and brushing with a soft brush.
References
- American Academy of Pediatrics: Cradle Cap & Seborrheic Dermatitis
- Healthy Children: Jaundice in Healthy Newborns
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Jaundice
- American Academy of Pediatrics: Jaundice
- "The Baby Book"; Williams Sears, M.D. & Martha Sears, R.N.; 1993
