Diagnosis of cradle cap
How to recognize cradle cap?
Cradle cap appears in the first 3 months of a baby's life, as yellowish or whitish greasy patches that often form on the scalp and other parts of the body . It does not cause pain or itching in the child and is not contagious.
What causes cradle cap?
Cradle cap is not, as its name suggests, related to babies' milk-rich diet. Nor is it a reflection of poor hygiene. It is a common phenomenon linked to a significant secretion of sebum , an oily substance that the skin produces to protect itself. Dead skin cells are trapped by sebum on the surface of the skin and scalp and then form cradle cap.
Areas most affected by cradle cap
Although the scalp is the most affected area, cradle cap can also appear on other parts of the body, such as the eyebrows, behind the ears, or in skin folds. These areas are richer in sebum, thus promoting the appearance of scales.