What is Seborrheic Dermatitis – Cradle Cap or Dandruff

If you’ve heard of “cradle cap” or “dandruff,” you have heard of seborrheic dermatitis. This skin condition causes flaking of the skin and most often affects the scalp. In infants, the term “cradle cap” is often used while the word “dandruff” is reserved for children and adults. The condition is most often seen in newborns younger than three months old and adults between ages 30 and 60. Men get it more often than women do.

Seborrheic dermatitis isn’t limited to the scalp. It can also affect the skin and is found on the face, chest, and creases of the body such as creases in the arms, legs, groin, or behind the ears. It is also found in areas of the skin that has many oil glands such as around the nose and between your eyebrows. This condition isn’t contagious nor is it harmful but it is unsightly and it can cause discomfort.

Symptoms of Seborrheic Dermatitis

The symptoms include thick crusts or patchy scales on the scalp, white or yellow scales that attach to the hair, skin flakes or dandruff, itchiness, soreness, skin looks greasy, scaly, and flaky, and small reddish bumps. In infants, cradle cap isn’t necessarily itchy as it is with adults and older children.

Causes of Seborrheic Dermatitis

The exact cause of seborrheic dermatitis hasn’t been discovered though several different factors contribute to it including excess oil production, fungus infection, hormones, and a few neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy.

Treating Seborrheic Dermatitis

If the condition is causing much discomfort of you suspect a secondary infection, you should schedule a checkup with your doctor. He will examine the scalp and affected areas. Because this condition is similar to other types of skin problems such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and ringworm of the scalp, he may want to perform a skin biopsy or run other tests to confirm the diagnosis.

Medicated shampoos are used for treating the affected scalp. Over the counter shampoos are available to control the seborrheic dermatitis in adults. Look for shampoos containing: tar, ketoconazole, pyrithione zinc, selenium sulfide, or salicylic acid. Leave the shampoo on for at least five minutes to give the active ingredients a chance to work.

Use daily until the symptoms are under control. Once controlled, use the shampoo two or three times a week. If the over the counter shampoo doesn’t work, your doctor may prescribe a stronger shampoo or steroid lotion.

For seborrheic dermatitis that affects the skin, you may be treated with topical creams and lotions containing cortisteroids or antifungal medications. If these treatments don’t work, your doctor may use immunomodulators, a type of medication that affects the immune system. These medications shouldn’t be used for prolonged periods and should only be used if other treatments have failed.

Treating Cradle Cap

Cradle cap in infants usually goes away on its own in a few months and rarely requires medicated shampoos. Instead, use mild baby shampoo each day. Use a soft bristled brush to loosen the scales before you rinse the shampoo off.

If you find that the scales don’t loosen using this technique, try a little mineral oil before shampooing. First, rub a couple drops of mineral oil on the baby’s scalp and let it soak in for about five minutes. Next, wash the baby’s hair as directed above making sure to remove all traces of the oil. Don’t leave any oil on the baby’s hair as it will make the condition worse.

If your baby is older, the condition may be caused by scalp ringworm which might require a prescription shampoo.