Cradle Cap in Kids and How to Handle It

Many parents notice flaky or oily patches on their baby’s scalp and wonder what they are. These patches, known as cradle cap, often show up as waxy, crusty, white, or yellow spots. Cradle cap affects many infants and usually fades by three months of age without causing the child any pain.

However, cradle cap does not always go away quickly for every child. Some children continue to have these dry or greasy patches beyond infancy, sometimes into their early school years. Understanding what cradle cap is and how to manage it helps parents feel more at ease and find the best ways to care for their child’s scalp.

Cradle Cap Commonly Affects Children

Older children can develop seborrheic dermatitis, also called cradle cap. This condition often appears as thick, crusty or oily scales on a child’s scalp, but it can also form in skin folds and creases, such as around the eyebrows or behind the ears. In some cases, these patches persist for years and may look like stubborn dandruff.

Many kids experience this, and sometimes it runs in families, with both parents and children having similar skin issues. Cradle cap can appear as white or yellow flakes that stick to the scalp, causing noticeable dandruff. Though it is most common in infants, school-age children and even preteens can have persistent seborrhea that affects their hair and skin.

Symptoms sometimes look more severe in older children, but the condition usually does not cause discomfort or itching. Using gentle medicated shampoos or following a doctor’s advice can help reduce the appearance of the scales and flakes.

Reasons for Cradle Cap in Older Children

Cradle cap in older kids can have different causes than in babies. One important factor is excess oil production from the skin’s hair follicles. When the scalp produces extra oil, it provides an environment that supports the growth of a natural yeast called Malassezia. This yeast usually lives on the skin, but in some cases, it can multiply and cause flaky, greasy patches on the scalp.

Cradle cap does not result from poor hygiene or lack of washing. Dirty hair or spreading germs from person to person does not cause it.

Some conditions can resemble cradle cap. For example, dandruff is another common cause of flaky skin on the head. Fungal infections may also play a role. Ringworm, or tinea capitis, commonly affects kids and can mimic cradle cap. Tinea capitis often causes scaling, flaking, and sometimes hair loss in patches. When ringworm affects the scalp, doctors often prescribe oral antifungal medication and sometimes medicated shampoo.

A related fungal problem, tinea corporis, appears on the body rather than the scalp. Though it isn’t the same as cradle cap, both result from fungal infections and may occur together.

How to Manage Scalp Flaking in Children

Seborrheic dermatitis does not usually cause any health risks, but many parents and kids want to treat the appearance and improve comfort. The first step is to gently soften the scales on the scalp. Many find that light oils such as coconut, mineral, sunflower, or safflower oil can help.

Massage a small amount of one of these oils into the scalp and let it sit for around 10 minutes. This makes it easier to loosen and remove the flakes. Avoid oils like olive oil, since they can feed the yeast on the scalp and make things worse. Petroleum jelly also may irritate the scalp and increase yellow scaling.

You can also wash the scalp directly to get rid of loose flakes and reduce irritation. Use either an over-the-counter or prescription baby shampoo with ingredients like salicylic acid, zinc, selenium, or tar.

Rotate shampoos that contain different active ingredients, such as using a zinc-based shampoo one day, a selenium sulfide shampoo on another, and then switching to a different antifungal shampoo next. These ingredients work well together to target dryness and flakes. Take care when using medicated shampoos, especially with children, to prevent the shampoo from getting into their eyes.

While shampooing, gently massage the scalp to loosen white flakes and remove dead skin. For older children, parents can demonstrate the right way to massage the shampoo into the scalp. After you rinse out the shampoo, use a conditioner if the hair feels dry or brittle. Use a wide-tooth comb to gently remove flakes, but stop combing if hair begins to break or fall out with the scabs.

To help keep the scalp healthy, wash hair on the child’s normal schedule. Washing too often or too little can both make flaking worse, so follow the routine that works best for the child’s hair.

Note which products and treatments to avoid with children who have scalp flaking or eczema. Oils such as lavender, mustard, and tea tree can sometimes irritate the skin, especially if the child has sensitive skin or atopic dermatitis.

If the scalp becomes red, sore, or shows signs of irritation—especially if accompanied by flaking, sensitivity, or diaper dermatitis elsewhere on the body—stop using home treatments and consult a doctor. A healthcare provider may recommend a mild steroid cream or antifungal shampoo if over-the-counter options are not effective.