Cradle cap is a patchy, greasy, scaly and crusty skin rash that occurs on the scalp of recently born babies. It is infantile seborrhoeic dermatitis that is confined to the scalp. It may also affect other areas of the body such as behind the ears, in the creases of the neck, armpits and diaper area. Cradle cap is a very common condition that usually appears within the first 6 weeks of life. In some cases the condition will slowly resolve itself over a few weeks while in others it may continue for 6 to 9 months, and sometimes much longer. Treatment of cradle cap is with mild baby shampoos. The scalp should be washed regularly and this along with soft brushing should help to remove the scales.
If the cradle cap doesn't improve with frequent washing or if the rash spreads to other areas, then a medicated shampoo containing ketoconazole and hydrocortisone cream for any inflamed or reddened areas can be prescribed.