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Expert Q&A:
How can I treat my 5 1/2-month-old's cradle cap?

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Answered by Anthony Mancini M.D.


Dr. Mancini received his undergraduate and medical educations at the University of Arizona, and trained in pediatrics, pediatric dermatology, and dermatology at Stanford University. He is currently Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Dermatology at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine and Head of the Division of Dermatology at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Illinois.



Dr. Mancini has served as a member of the AAP Executive Committee, Section of Dermatology since 2001. He is a member of the AAP Super CME Planning Group and the AAP Pedia Link Pediatric Dermatology Project Team, and is Secretary-Treasurer of the Society for Pediatric Dermatology. His teaching accomplishments include the Faculty Excellence in Education Award from the Department of Pediatrics at Northwestern, which he has received for the last eight years. Dr. Mancini is a peer reviewer and/or sits on the editorial board for several academic journals, and has published over 75 peer-reviewed articles, abstracts, and book chapters. He is co-author of Hurwitz Clinical Pediatric Dermatology, 3rd edition, and is an associate editor for the comprehensive dermatology textbook Dermatology. His special interests include infectious skin diseases and exanthems of childhood, vascular malformations and hemangiomas, and neonatal skin maturation and skin disorders.



Dr. Mancini is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Dermatology. He and his wife, Nicola, a neonatal intensive care nurse, have three children (Mallory, Christopher, and Mackenzie) and reside in Evanston, Illinois.

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Question


My 5 1/2-month-old daughter has cradle cap on the sides of her face. She no longer has it in her scalp. Her pediatrician confirmed that the sides of her face have cradle cap. He suggested washing it with the rough end of a washcloth with Dove. I have done so for months, and she still has it on her face. The pediatrician advises that there is no prescription to help this condition. I am desperate to clear this up. Please help.

Answer


It is difficult to make a recommendation without examining your daughter. In general, cradle cap, which is also known as seborrheic dermatitis, occurs on the scalp, at the hairline, in the eyebrows, and in certain skin areas such as the creases behind the ears and on the sides of the nose. It is common in infants, usually improves by 1 year of age, and tends not to recur until the time of puberty. Seborrheic dermatitis is generally quite easy to treat. There are many other rashes that could occur on the sides of the face or cheeks, many of them treatable. I would first try some over-the-counter hydrocortisone (0.5 or 1%) cream and a thick moisturizer, each applied twice daily. Try to avoid any harsh scrubbing, which may contribute to further skin irritation. If this is ineffective, you might consider having your daughter evaluated by a dermatologist for an examination and treatment suggestions.

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Member comments
Selson Blue Naturals
My son is 6 months and still has cradle cap. As advised by his Dr. we use Selson Blue Naturals on hi..

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