Cradle cap is usually easy to recognize, with symptoms that can include a scalp rash that:
- is dry and flaky
- has thick, greasy, yellow or brown scales
- has red patches with crust
- is sometimes itchy
For mild cradle cap, keep in mind that this is mostly a cosmetic problem that will eventually go away on its own. So time is often the best treatment, with cradle cap often going away by the time an infant is about a year old.
When necessary, home remedies for treating cradle cap include frequently shampooing your baby's hair with a mild baby shampoo and then using a soft brush to try and brush off the scales. Another common home remedy for cradle cap is to rub in a little baby oil or mineral oil into your baby's scalp, leave it on for 10 or 15 minutes, which should soften the scales. Then brush off the scales with a soft brush, and then shampoo off the oil.
Talk to your pediatrician if you think that your child needs treatment for a more extensive case of cradle cap or if it simply isn't going away.
