Cradle Cap

Q:  Could you please tell me what "cradle cap" is and how to treat it?

A:  Cradle cap is a benign condition of the scalp occurring in infants that involves scaling and some redness. It generally is not a part of any illness syndrome and does not imply that a baby is not being well cared for.

The best way to treat the condition involves the daily use of a baby shampoo applied with a soft toothbrush to cleanse and loosen the scales. If after a week or so there is no improvement and there are no other signs of illness, your doctor may prescribe a medicated shampoo that is usually used for the treatment of a fungus. Keep in mind, however, that cradle cap is not an infection of any kind.

"Your Health" provides easy-to-understand information about common health conditions.