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 during 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 clear or the cradle cap will reappear. In either case, you should consult with a licensed dermatologist or physician to determine what the appropriate treatment should be.

Skin experts say the condition is that hormones from the mother’s body are 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 later become scaly and can be easily removed. There is no need to worry as it does not cause any discomfort to the baby and is generally harmless. What can cause discomfort to the baby is if there are ants near the area where the baby sleeps. Ants have been observed to be attracted to scales and eat them.

To avoid ants, it is recommended to regularly wash your baby’s hair with baby shampoo or soap to remove loose scales and prevent the scales from thickening even more. After bathing, the flakes 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 the scalp and leave it there. This last step will prevent the ants from “sniffing” the flakes and getting close to the baby.

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

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