Cradle cap (seborrheic dermatitis in babies), what causes it?

Baby skin is prone to problems because it is more sensitive than adult skin. Therefore, care for newborns needs to be paid close attention to. One of the most common skin problems in babies is cradle cap aka seborrheic dermatitis or seborrheic eczema. This skin problem is characterized by the appearance of white scaly crusts on the baby's head. At first glance, the appearance of the crusts on the baby's head looks like flakes of dandruff. Get to know more about the symptoms, causes, as well as how to overcome them cradle cap in this article.

Cause cradle cap (seborrheic dermatitis) in infants

Aka seborrheic dermatitis cradle cap is a type of dermatitis that is triggered by inflammation and causes excess oil production on the baby's scalp.

Quoting from the Eczema page, skin inflammation due to seborrheic eczema on the scalp can also be affected by a fungal infection Malassezia or known as Pityrosporum.

This type of fungus normally lives on human skin, but some babies overreact to it, causing infection.

Babies are more prone to experience cradle cap because their immune system is not as strong as adults. Therefore, babies are more prone to inflammation or infection.

Cradle cap usually experienced by babies under 3 months of age and will disappear when the age of 6 months and over.

Seborrheic dermatitis can be triggered by poor body hygiene or an allergic reaction.

However, cradle cap is not a serious skin disease and seborrheic dermatitis is not a skin disease that is transmitted from other people.

Symptoms and characteristics of cradle cap (seborrheic dermatitis) in infants

Seborrheic dermatitis causes the baby's scalp to be very oily, as well as dry, scaly crusts that can flake like dandruff.

This skin problem also causes babies to cry and fuss because of the itching they cause, which interferes with the baby's sleeping time.

Symptoms usually appear in the first 6 weeks of a baby's age.

The crusts on a baby's scalp are usually patches of patches that spread over several areas of the skin.

However, in certain cases, the symptoms of seborrheic eczema can appear to cover the entire affected area of ​​the baby's skin, such as the entire scalp.

If the problem is still in a mild stage, the baby will usually be less bothered.

The following are symptoms that are commonly shown due to seborrheic dermatitis in infants:

• There are yellowish-white scales that easily peel off the skin on oily parts of the baby's body, for example behind the ears, the sides of the nose, and especially the head
• A red spot or reddish rash appears on the skin around the eyebrows, forehead, nose, neck, ears, and chest
• Symptoms such as diaper rash appear on the crease in the groin of the baby because they do not change the baby's diaper regularly
• An itchy feeling appears on the scalp, seen from the baby's reaction to rubbing or touching the itchy skin
• The affected baby's skin may also ooze and smell
• The crust may also suppurate, in severe cases

A festering crust indicates the skin has become infected as a complication. The symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis in babies can last for weeks or months.

Immediately consult your little one to a dermatologist if you experience symptoms of seborrheic eczema in babies that are more severe.

Consult your doctor if symptoms get worse from day to day.

How to overcome cradle cap (seborrheic dermatitis) in infants

Seborrheic eczema in babies can be itchy and uncomfortable. But in most cases, the crust on the baby's scalp is the result cradle cap can go away on its own.

If not, there are several ways you can stop the itching that is making your baby uncomfortable while keeping his skin healthy.

1. Use a special product for sensitive baby skin

Clean the baby's scalp or other parts of the skin regularly using anti-dandruff shampoos or cleaning agents that are safe for sensitive skin.

You can also use special shampoos and soaps for seborrheic dermatitis in babies.

Shampoo and soap of this type generally do not contain detergents and fragrances, so they tend to be mild and do not sting the baby's skin.

Avoid using cosmetic type cleaners to clean skin scales due to seborrheic dermatitis in babies because they are more prone to causing irritation.

In addition to using products that don't cause irritation, you should also wash your baby using warm water.

Add emollient cream or dexpanthenol which is commonly used to soften skin or soothe tense skin.

Some people may suggest usingbaby oilor petroleum jelly to remove the scale on the baby's head. However, the two of them had little effect.

Quoting from Healthy Children, the two baby care products actually add to the oil accumulated on the scalp and make the crust on the baby's head worse.

To be more practical, you can choose to use cleaning products that contain emollients to treat seborrheic dermatitis in babies.

2. Clean gently

There is no need to hesitate to clean the baby's scalp with shampoo to remove crusts or cradle cap.

While cleaning the affected skin cradle cap, avoid rubbing too hard.

You can use a soft bristled brush to help remove the sticky skin scales.

Gently rub the brush while gently massaging the baby to remove crusts.

Do not try to scratch or remove scales with your hands, as this can increase the risk of a skin infection.

In addition, before washing the baby's head at least an hour beforehand, apply it baby oil or emollient cream slowly.

The National Eczema Society no longer recommends using olive oil for seborrheic dermatitis because it can exacerbate the damage to the baby's skin.

Massage gently so that the scales on the scalp soften and slowly come off. Then, rinse the head again with lukewarm water until clean.

3. Medical treatment

Using a special shampoo when bathing a newborn is enough to keep your little one's scalp clean.

If the eczema on the baby's scalp does not go away and gets worse after doing the steps above, immediately consult your little one to a doctor.

If needed, the doctor will prescribe an antifungal cream, such as clotrimazole, econazole, or miconazole.

In addition, the doctor will also prescribe a hair cleanser that contains ketoconazole, selenium sulfide, coal tar or zinc pyrithione.

These creams usually help clear rashes and redness as well as treat already severe oily baby skin.

If there is swelling, you can use a light dose of corticosteroid cream to relieve it.

Tips for preventing cradle cap (seborrheic dermatitis) in infants

Dry and flaky scalp as a result cradle cap in babies can be prevented easily.

You only need to regularly clean your hair and scalp with shampoo as a newborn's equipment.

Babies do not need to be washed every day, just 2-3 days.

Between your washes, pay attention to the cleanliness of your scalp. Choose care products, both shampoo and soap formulated for babies.

Avoid fragrances, dyes, or alcohol which can irritate sensitive baby skin.

You can givehair lotion to keep the baby's scalp moisturised and not flaky. N

But take care, don't get too oily because that can make oil build up.

Don't forget to also keep the baby's scalp dry. The reason is, a damp scalp can invite the causing fungus cradle cap.

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