Cradle cap in babies is a common, harmless skin condition also known as infant seborrheic dermatitis. The exact cause of cradle cap is not fully understood, but it is likely due to a combination of factors:
- Hormones passed from the mother to the baby before birth may stimulate the baby's oil (sebaceous) glands to produce excess oil. This excess oil causes dead skin cells to stick to the scalp instead of shedding normally, leading to the formation of yellowish, scaly patches
- A yeast called Malassezia , which naturally lives on the skin, may also contribute to cradle cap by interacting with the excess oil, although its exact role is unclear
- There may be a hereditary component, as babies with relatives who have eczema or asthma could be more prone to cradle cap
Cradle cap is not caused by poor hygiene, infection, or allergies, and it is not contagious
. It typically appears within the first few weeks to months of life and usually resolves on its own within several weeks to months without causing discomfort to the baby
. In summary, cradle cap is mainly caused by overactive oil glands influenced by maternal hormones and possibly yeast on the skin, leading to the characteristic scaly patches on a baby's scalp
