Cradle cap is so named because it is a common skin condition that occurs on the scalp of babies. It is characterized by yellow, scaly or scaly patches on the baby’s scalp that make it look like the baby has a very bad case of dandruff.

This usually happens to babies in the first three months of life. It usually goes away on its own after a few weeks. However, there are also some cases where it takes longer to go away or the cradle cap will come back. In either case, you should certainly consult with a licensed dermatologist or physician to determine what the appropriate treatment should be.

Skin experts say that this condition is caused by hormones from the mother’s body being transferred to the baby during pregnancy. These hormones cause the sebaceous glands in the skin to secrete more oil than necessary, causing the dead skin cells on the baby’s head to stick to the scalp.

The resulting scaly patches then become scaly and can be easily removed. There is nothing to worry about as it does not cause discomfort to the baby and is generally harmless. What can cause discomfort to the baby is if there are ants near the baby’s sleeping area. Ants have been observed to be attracted to the scales and eat them.

To prevent ants, it is recommended to regularly wash the baby’s hair with baby shampoo or soap to remove any loose scales and prevent the scales from thickening further. After bathing, the scales can be loosened a bit more by running a soft brush over the baby’s head. Lastly, apply a very thin layer of baby oil, coconut oil, or olive oil to your scalp and leave it there. This last step will prevent the ants from “sniffing” the flakes and getting close to the baby.

Remove flakes only in the manner mentioned above. Since they look so ugly, some moms are tempted to scratch the scaly patches to peel them off. This must be avoided at all costs. Doing so will leave patches that are red and sore, or even bleeding, which could then become infected. You certainly don’t want to make the situation even more uncomfortable for your baby.

If swelling occurs or if the cradle cap spreads to the baby’s face and neck despite regular washing and applying baby oil, a doctor should be consulted.