Scabs on the baby’s head: what are they?

It is widespread for newborns to get yellow scabs on their heads. If you have detected this kind of dandruff in your baby, do not be alarmed, we will tell you what scrabs are on the baby’s head and how to remove them, so scabs on the baby’s head: what are they?

Babies’ skin is very delicate, it requires a lot of care, and the scalp is no exception. Babies’ scales are not dandruff but seborrheic dermatitis, although it is commonly called cradle cap or yellow scabs.

Scabs on the baby’s head: what are they?

Rossana Llergo Valdez, president of the Mexican Foundation for Dermatology, explained that this condition is prevalent in infants and causes scaly, dry, or oily plaques on the scalp of babies. It is not painful or itchy. However, these scabs can be challenging to remove.

“It is a frequent condition that happens due to an excess of fat called seborrhea. It may be due to a hormonal imbalance, mainly due to maternal hormones; it happens in the newborn stage. But it does not represent a problem that should concern us”.

What is it?

The Nemours Children’s Health Foundation explains that the cradle cap is the simple way of calling seborrheic dermatitis that appears on the scalp of babies. Also called seborrhea, it can occur in:

• Forehead and face
• Behind the ears
• Diaper area
• Other skin folds

This foundation details that seborrheic dermatitis usually begins with the cradle cap; it first affects the scalp, but then it can spread to other parts of the body.

How can we treat cradle cap?

As time goes by and the daily bath, it can fall off on its own. You can also use special soaps to help it disappear. Dr. Rossana Llergo Valdez recommends using keratolytic shampoos because they have substances that remove the skin’s stratum corneum or those with zinc pyrithione, which has antifungal properties.

“Shampoos with a very gentle keratolytic component help us clean babies’ scalp, so the scale falls off properly”.

The also president of the Mexican Foundation for Dermatology advises not to scrape the cradle cap since it can irritate the scalp of our little ones.

How long does it take to disappear?

With this type of shampoo, you will notice improvement between 15 and 20 days. If you decide not to use any products, the cradle cap can disappear in a few weeks or months.

When should we consult a doctor?

The Mayo Clinic organization recommends visiting a doctor if seborrhea persists or has spread to other parts of the body so that he can assess the child and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

The doctor will ask you:

• • How long has your baby had the cradle cap?
• • What have you done to treat it?
• • How often do you shampoo his hair?
• • What products have you tried?

Do not forget to consult the dermatologist frequently to take care of your baby’s skin.

Translated by: Ligia M. Oliver Manrique de Lara

Related Notes: Newborn: basic care

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