Newborns sometimes develop a type of dandruff known as cradle cap, or infantile seborrheic dermatitis. Newborn dandruff isn't a serious health issue, but will cause flaky, white-yellow scales to form in patches on your baby's scalp. Although the thick scales might look alarming, cradle cap is typically a temporary, harmless skin condition.
Symptoms
Common signs of cradle cap include dandruff, or skin flakes, appearing on oily-looking skin. Some babies also develop a slight redness on the affected scalp areas. The University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC, notes that these scaly patches might also develop on your baby's ears and eyelids. Some newborns develop cradle cap around the groin or nose as well. Dandruff on newborns typically doesn't itch, but some babies might scratch the affected area and cause it to become inflamed or irritated. Although cradle cap might look scary to you as a new parent, keep in mind that this skin condition isn't dangerous to your baby.
Causes
Although medical professionals don't completely understand what causes cradle cap, the Mayo Clinic reports that one of the contributing factors might be hormones passed from mother to baby during the gestation period. These hormones might cause your baby's glands to produce an excess amount of skin oil, called sebum. The Mayo Clinic adds that malassezia -- a fungal yeast that grows in sebum -- might also cause your baby to develop dandruff. The UMMC notes that seborrheic dermatitis also appears to run in families. Cradle cap isn't caused by poor hygiene on your part and isn't triggered by any type of allergy.
Home Treatments
Your newborn's dandruff should go away in just a few months, according to the Mayo Clinic. You can help to loosen the scaly skin flakes by gently washing your newborn's scalp with a mild baby shampoo every day that symptoms exist. The UMMC also suggests gently massaging your baby's scalp with a soft brush, or your fingertips, to help loosen up the scales. If the skin scales still cling to your baby's scalp, gently rub a little bit of mineral oil or petroleum jelly onto the affected area. Let it sit for a few minutes before washing it off with mild shampoo.
Medical Treatment
If your newborn's dandruff persists or becomes severe, take your baby to see your pediatrician. Your doctor might suggest a medicated lotion or shampoo specifically designed to treat cradle cap. Your pediatrician might prescribe a topical anti-fungal treatment if yeast is a contributing factor in your baby's skin condition. If your baby's scalp looks extremely red or inflamed, then your health care provider might prescribe a hydrocortisone cream. Make an appointment with your pediatrician if the scaly patches of skin spread to your newborn's body or face. The doctor will want to ensure that your baby doesn't have a more serious skin condition, such as psoriasis or infantile eczema.
