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Cradle cap

Cradle cap is a harmless skin condition that's common in babies. It usually clears up on its own, but there are things you can try to make it better.

Check if your baby has cradle cap

Image of cradle cap crusts on a baby's head.
Cradle cap can look like patches of greasy and yellow crusts
Image of cradle cap with red skin on a baby's head.
The crusts can flake and make the skin look red
Image of cradle cap on a baby's eyebrows and around nose.
It can appear on other parts of the body, like the eyebrows, nose and nappy area

Cradle cap is not itchy or painful and does not bother your baby.

It's not clear what causes cradle cap. It cannot be caught from another baby.

Things you can try to get rid of cradle cap

Do

  • wash your baby's hair regularly with mild, unperfumed baby shampoo and gently loosen flakes with a soft brush

  • gently rub on baby oil or vegetable oil to help soften the crusts

  • use baby oil, vegetable oil or petroleum jelly overnight and wash with baby shampoo in the morning

Don’t

  • do not use olive oil – recent research has found it may not be suitable for use on skin

  • do not use peanut oil (because of the allergy risk)

  • do not use soap

  • do not use adult shampoos

  • do not pick crusts – this can cause an infection

Information:

Hair may come away with the flakes, but do not worry, your baby's hair will soon grow back.

You can ask a pharmacist:

  • about cradle cap treatments
Find a pharmacy

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:

  • the cradle cap is all over your baby's body
  • the crusts leak fluid or bleed
  • the affected areas look swollen
  • there's no improvement after a few weeks of treatment

These could be signs of an infection or another condition, like eczema or scabies.

Information:

Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: how to contact a GP

It's still important to get help from a GP if you need it. To contact your GP surgery:

  • visit their website
  • use the NHS App
  • call them

Find out about using the NHS during COVID-19

Page last reviewed: 24 January 2019
Next review due: 24 January 2022