Problems With a Baby's Scalp

A baby's scalp is prone to different types of skin conditions. Aside from having naturally delicate skin, a newborn's bloodstream usually has considerable amounts of maternal hormones, which may contribute to the development of skin conditions in some infants. It's important for parents and guardians to learn to identify the different types of scalp problems that infants experience so they can treat them appropriately.

  1. Seborrheic Dermatitis

    • The primary infant scalp condition associated with maternal hormones in the blood stream is seborrheic dermatitis. This condition is also know as seborrhea, or more commonly, as cradle cap. Cradle cap causes the baby's scalp to produce thick, greasy scales. This often occurs during the third month after birth, and may persist for a couple of weeks. The severity of cradle cap varies from infant to infant. Mild cases can be treated by rubbing baby or olive oil on the infant's scalp, leaving it on for several hours and then using a soft-bristled brush or fine-toothed comb to remove the scales. The oil should loosen up the scales and make it easier to remove. There are also special shampoos and treatments that are specifically manufactured for the treatment of cradle cap.

    Dandruff

    • Dandruff can occur when a baby's scalp becomes too dry. Rather than being caused by maternal hormones, dandruff may be due to external causes, such as the shampoo used on the child's hair. This is particularly true if the child's hair is washed with adult shampoo, which is too harsh for an infant's scalp and can cause dryness and flaking skin. There are several ways to treat dandruff in babies. Switching to a milder shampoo or trying a medicated anti-dandruff shampoo made for infants should do the trick. However, it is important to consult your child's pediatrician before using any shampoo for dandruff treatment. Rubbing tea tree or olive oil into the baby's scalp may also help.

    Aplasia Cutis Congenita

    • Aplasia cutis congenita is a rare skin condition observed in infants. The condition occurs when skin in a particular area fails to close while the child is developing in his mother's womb. The most common place this occurs is on the scalp; the condition is usually diagnosed at birth due to the presence of a scar or superficial wound on the scalp. Treatment for this condition consists of keeping the wound clean and free of infection until it has fully healed.

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