Treatment For Cradle Cap In African American Babies

It s not pretty but it s harmless.

Treatment for cradle cap in african american babies.

Cradle cap usually doesn t require medical treatment as it usually goes away on its own. The medical name for it is infantile seborrheic dermatitis. Babies are known for their soft smooth skin but cradle cap is common in newborns. As a result its texture requires that it is handled with care to prevent damage.

According to the american academy of family physicians aafp about 10 percent of baby boys and 9 5 percent of baby girls have it. This along with soft brushing will help remove the scales. Like other children they are also prone to cradle cap. Not all babies get cradle cap.

This could then be either curly or wavy. Cradle cap is very common but. If the scaling is heavy apply mineral oil to the scalp for a couple of hours before shampooing. Cradle cap is an inflammatory skin condition that typically appears on a baby s scalp.

Most likely it s cradle cap also called seborrheic dermatitis or eczema also called atopic dermatitis. What is cradle cap. How to prevent cradle cap in african american babies. Don t be afraid to shampoo the hair.

If your baby s seborrheic dermatitis is confined to his scalp and is therefore just cradle cap you can treat it yourself. The description sounds way worse than it actually is. Cradle cap is a common skin condition in newborns and babies that causes rough patches on their scalp. Cradle cap shows up in the first few months of life as crusty white or yellowish patches on the scalp.

Mild cases can typically be managed with special soaps and shampoos and by avoiding things that trigger a flare up. How to treat your baby s cradle cap. Treatment for cradle cap in adults depends on the severity of the condition. Both conditions are common in african american infants.

A majority of african american babies are born with hair that is coarse and thick. In the meantime wash your baby s hair once a day with mild baby shampoo. It shows up in roughly 10 percent of babies most often between the ages of 3 weeks and 12 months.