What does cradle cap look like and where can it appear (head, eyebrows, forehead, ears)?
Applies to age: 0–12 months
In short
Cradle cap is patches of greasy, scaly skin, usually on the scalp and face, sometimes also in the diaper area and in skin folds. The scales may be white or yellow and form a crust that may flake off; cradle cap is not itchy and does not hurt.
Do not do this
Dangerous Myth: “Cradle cap crusts have to be scraped off”
Why it is wrong. Picking at the crusts may increase the risk of infection.Instead. Gently brush the scalp with a soft brush, and then wash it with baby shampoo.Source: NHS – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
do not pick crusts because this can increase the chance of infection
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-12 · license [1]
gently brush your baby's scalp with a soft brush and then wash it with baby shampoo
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-12 · license [1]
What is normal
All claims: international norm
- Cradle cap is a harmless skin condition that is common in babies.
Source: NHS – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
Cradle cap is a harmless skin condition that's common in babies.
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-09 · license [1]
- The main symptom of cradle cap is patches of greasy, scaly skin.
Source: NHS – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
The main symptom of cradle cap is patches of greasy, scaly skin.
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-09 · license [1]
- Cradle cap usually appears on the scalp and face, but sometimes it also affects the diaper area and places where the skin creases.
Source: NHS – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
It's usually found on the scalp and face, but sometimes affects the nappy area and areas where the skin creases.
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-09 · license [1]
- On the scalp and face, cradle cap may look like patches of white or yellow greasy scales that form a crust that may flake off.
Source: NHS – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
patches of white or yellow greasy scales on the scalp and face that form a crust which might flake off
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-09 · license [1]
- In the diaper area, cradle cap may look like small, dry flakes of skin.
Source: NHS – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
small, dry flakes of skin on the nappy area
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-09 · license [1]
- Cradle cap is not itchy, does not hurt and does not bother the child.
Source: NHS – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
It is not itchy or painful and does not bother your baby.
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-09 · license [1]
- The skin under and around the scales may be pink or red in a child with light skin, or lighter or darker than the surrounding skin in a child with brown or black skin.
Source: NHS – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
But the skin under and around the scales may look pink or red if your baby has white skin, or lighter or darker than the surrounding skin if your baby has brown or black skin.
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-09 · license [1]
- In the example photo, cradle cap on the eyebrows is a raised crust of yellow scales covering the inner corners of both eyebrows.
Source: NHS – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
A raised crust of yellow scales covers the inner corners of each eyebrow.
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-09 · license [1]
- In the example photo, an oval patch of cradle cap spreads from the forehead to the top of the head.
Source: NHS – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
An oval-shape patch of cradle cap spreads from the forehead to the top of the head.
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-09 · license [1]
When to worry
All claims: international norm
- Bleeding, leaking fluid and swelling may be signs of an infection or another condition, such as atopic dermatitis or scabies.
Source: NHS – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
Bleeding, leaking fluid and swelling could be signs of an infection or another condition like atopic eczema or scabies.
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-09 · license [1]
Worth discussing with a doctor:
- If cradle cap does not get better after a few weeks of care, it is worth seeing a doctor.
Source: NHS – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
your baby's cradle cap does not get better after a few weeks of treatment
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-09 · license [1]
- If cradle cap covers the child's whole body, it is worth seeing a doctor.
Source: NHS – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
your baby has cradle cap all over their body
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-09 · license [1]
- If the crusts bleed or leak fluid, it is worth seeing a doctor.
Source: NHS – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
the crusts bleed or leak fluid
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-09 · license [1]
- If the affected areas look swollen, it is worth seeing a doctor.
Source: NHS – show the original wording (EN)
Summarized and translated by the editors, not an official translation. Verbatim quote from the source, in its original wording:
the affected areas look swollen
NHS · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-09 · license [1]
See a doctor
- A sick patient who comes to a primary care (POZ) clinic should get an appointment on the day of the request or, if that is not possible, at a time agreed with them.
Source: Portal Pacjenta – show the quote
Verbatim quote from the source:
Polish original
Jeśli przyjdziesz chory do przychodni, powinieneś uzyskać wizytę w dniu zgłoszenia.
Portal Pacjenta · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-09 · license [2]
Polish original
Jeśli to niemożliwe - w terminie uzgodnionym z tobą.
Portal Pacjenta · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-12 · license [2]
- POZ clinics operate from Monday to Friday, 8:00–18:00.
Source: Portal Pacjenta – show the quote
Verbatim quote from the source:
Polish original
Placówki POZ działają od poniedziałku do piątku w godzinach: 8:00–18:00.
Portal Pacjenta · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-09 · license [2]
- At night (18:00–8:00) and on holidays and weekends, urgent help is provided by night and holiday care (NiŚOZ).
Source: Portal Pacjenta – show the quote
Verbatim quote from the source:
Polish original
W godzinach nocnych (18:00–8:00) oraz w święta i weekendy doraźnej pomocy udziela nocna i świąteczna opieka zdrowotna.
Portal Pacjenta · open the source · accessed: 2026-10-09 · license [2]
international norm “International norm” next to a section heading means its claims come from a non-Polish source, because no Polish source in our registry covers this topic. When this applies to only some of the claims, the foreign ones carry the same label next to their source.
Sources
- NHS (nhs.uk, Anglia)License: Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: NHS (nhs.uk, Anglia). Content summarized and translated by the editors; changed relative to the original. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The summary is ours and is not attributed to the NHS.
- Portal Pacjenta (pacjent.gov.pl)License: CC BY 3.0 PL. Source: Portal Pacjenta (pacjent.gov.pl). Content summarized and translated by the editors; changed relative to the original.