Yellow thorn on baby's scalp

Nowadays, many babies will have a layer of yellow-brown oily scales or scabs on their scalp after a long time. Many parents think that these are some dirt and need to be cleaned for the child. However, parents need to note that this is the normal secretion of the scalp. You can wash it slowly with clean water, but try not to move this area. Wait until it falls off automatically and it will recover.

Mom, don't touch my head!

After many babies are born, their scalps are covered with a layer of yellow-brown, oily scales or scabs, which looks like a "small hat" from a distance. The elderly call it "dandruff", which is commonly known as "cradle cap"!

Cradle cap is a common problem in infancy. Like dandruff, it can appear as thick, oily, yellow or brown, scaly or shell-like flakes. It usually disappears automatically after a few months, but many babies still have it for several years.

How can we help baby clean such stubborn cradle cap? What are the precautions when cleaning? Don’t be anxious, read on patiently!

What is cradle cap?

Cradle cap, also known as seborrheic dermatitis, is a yellowish-white substance formed by secretions of the skin and epithelial cells. The secretions are scaly and feel greasy. If the baby's hair is not washed after birth, these secretions and dust will gather together over time to form a thicker cradle cap.

What effects does cradle cap have on babies?

1. Buffer to limit the expansion and contraction of the fontanelle

If it is found that the cradle cap on the baby's head is relatively large and hard, and is close to the fontanelle, it will limit the buffering function of the fontanelle's expansion and contraction. However, if the baby develops encephalopathy due to increased intracranial pressure, the fontanelle will lose its function of buffering high pressure.

2. Failure to detect dehydration in time

Since cradle cap often covers the baby's head, if the cradle cap covers the fontanelle, it will cover the fontanelle, causing the doctor to be unable to promptly discover important symptoms such as sunken or bulging fontanelle, which will naturally affect the judgment and diagnosis of the baby's health.

3. Impact on the treatment of head trauma

Because cradle cap easily accumulates dirt, if the baby's head is injured, it will make the wound more difficult to treat, and in severe cases it may even lead to wound infection.

4. Evolves into seborrheic dermatitis

Because the sebaceous glands of newborn babies secrete vigorously, if parents do not take proper care of them, severe cases may affect the eyebrows, nasolabial folds, behind the ears, etc., and yellow-red patches may form later. If they are stained with dust, a thick layer of yellow scab will form, which will turn black over time and cause itching.