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What is cradle cap? how do I treat it?

Cradle cap is a harmless, common scalp condition in babies caused by overactive oil glands, not poor hygiene. It usually clears on its own within a few months, though gentle home care can help loosen the scales faster.

Canadian guidance from the Canadian Paediatric Society says treatment isn't required, though mild shampoo and gentle brushing can help control it.

Strength of evidence

Mixed

Guidelines agree cradle cap is benign and self-resolving, but a Cochrane systematic review of small, short randomized trials found the evidence for any specific treatment speeding things up is weak and uncertain.

What the evidence says

Cradle cap (seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp) shows up as greasy, yellowish, crusty patches on a baby's scalp, usually starting in the first few months of life. It's extremely common, isn't contagious, isn't caused by poor hygiene, and doesn't usually bother the baby. Doctors think it's related to oil gland activity, possibly influenced by leftover maternal hormones and a normal skin yeast, though the exact cause isn't fully known.

The Canadian Paediatric Society says cradle cap will resolve on its own and doesn't need treatment, but if you want to help it along, washing your baby's hair with a mild baby shampoo and gently brushing out the scales with a soft brush can help control it. Other sources suggest softening thick crusts overnight with a bit of mineral or baby oil before washing, then gently combing out loosened scales. A Cochrane review looked at treatments like antifungal creams, steroid creams and shampoos, but found the studies were small, short, and generally low quality, so it's unclear how much better these do compared to simple gentle care.

If the scales become thick, don't respond to home care, or the skin becomes red, oozing, or crusted with pus, check with your doctor, since occasionally a secondary infection or eczema needs different treatment. Most cradle cap clears up by the time a baby is 6 to 12 months old, though it can occasionally take longer.

Sources

✓Reviewed by CH, MD, FRCPC

Reviewed by a specialist physician certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, who has read this answer against the sources listed above and confirmed it reflects them. That is not medical advice about your child. How we review

Answer checked August 2, 2026

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