Milk crusts or seborrheic dermatitis cradle cap is a common skin condition in babies. It is caused by an excess of oily secretions (sebum) from the scalp. The lesions appear as patches that start at the hairline and can extend to the eyebrows, body folds, and even the buttocks. They are not very attractive, but they are not serious and can usually be treated naturally in most cases.

What are the different symptoms of milk crusts?

Milk crusts are characterized by the appearance of crusts and patches mainly on the scalp . They can spread to other parts of the body. They can look impressive, but the good news is that they are painless and do not itch. They are among the common skin conditions that affect babies, such as infantile acne .

What is the severity of milk crusts?

If your baby has scabs mainly on the scalp, you may be dealing with cradle cap. These are essentially thick, crusty patches that are white or yellow. They can also be slightly red. They do not cause any itching or discomfort . In some cases, especially if your baby has a lot of hair, it may even take a little time to spot them.

Which areas are affected by cradle cap?

The starting point of cradle cap is the scalp. , but it is not limited to this area. It usually starts around the top of your little one's head (the fontanel) and can extend toward the back of the ears, the lash line, and the eyebrows. In severe cases, the plaques can form a helmet-like shape on your baby's skull.

This is the part where we reassure you: this skin condition is not serious. Not very pretty, sometimes very impressive, but not serious. And as always, remember that you don’t need to wait until it becomes bothersome to speak with your doctor, pediatrician, dermatologist, etc.

Plaques can also appear in skin folds such as the armpits, neck, behind the knees, and the folds of the arms. It is also common to find lesions on the buttocks. They can form a red patch under and around the diaper. An extremely widespread form even has its own name: Leiner-Moussous disease (or erythroderma).

Seborrheic dermatitis can look impressive, but there is no need to worry. It is temporary and will leave no scars on your child. Since it is caused by an accumulation of sebum on the scalp, it is possible for the scalp to suffocate the hair root. For this reason, it’s not unusual for a few hairs to come out when the crust falls off. If the surface of the scalp is not completely smooth when the hairs fall out, it is best to consult a doctor.

What is the origin of milk crusts?

Unlike what their name suggests, milk crusts are not related to babies' diet. They are called this because the crusted lesions look like milk that has overcooked at the bottom of a pan.

Infantile seborrheic dermatitis can appear from two weeks of life up to about six months. The infantile form is distinguished because there is also a childhood form that can occur up to approximately three years old. It is very rare in children over three years old. However, it can appear in adults between 18 and 40 years old. The symptoms are the same, but their origins are not exactly the same.

The sebum

Sebum is a greasy substance produced by our body. It acts as a barrier against skin dryness, and when there is too much of it, we tend not to appreciate it very much. It is responsible for oily areas (the famous T-zone of the face, for example), greasy hair, pimples, blackheads, and other nuisances that we generally prefer to avoid.

The sebaceous gland, which produces sebum, is connected by a canal to the hair follicle. When this gland overproduces, the sebum clumps together and forms milk crusts. This accumulation of oil can suffocate the hair root and cause hair loss. Hair grows back quickly once the milk crust is removed.

Overproduction of sebum is caused by hormonal changes. Estrogens tend to decrease sebum production, while androgens increase it. In your baby, exposure to maternal hormones during pregnancy and weaning increases the likelihood of greater stimulation of the sebaceous glands.

The yeasts

The appearance of milk crusts is also linked to the presence of yeasts , type Malassezia, a kind of fungus. They are naturally present in areas with a lot of sebum. They trigger an inflammatory reaction, which in turn causes erythema and therefore an accelerated turnover of skin cells. This can look like large flakes on your baby's scalp. We may be repeating ourselves, but don’t panic: it’s temporary and benign.

How to treat milk crusts?

First of all, we want to reassure you that there isn’t much you need to do about cradle cap. It can last for several months and then disappear as quickly as it appeared. A few tips and hygiene rules can help, and in very rare cases, medicated treatments may be used. We’ll also tell you what to avoid.

Do not do against seborrheic dermatitis

The number 1 rule for seborrheic dermatitis is: do not scratch . NEVER. Not even with a comb. You could risk infecting the scabs instead. A little further on, we share the right method for removing milk crusts.

It is generally advised not to put fatty substances on your baby's damp scalp, as this can trap moisture. And consequently, cause new discomforts.

Good hygiene to fight cradle cap

Adopting good hygiene suited to your baby's skin is essential. If your little adventurer has dry skin, it’s best not to bathe them too often. The same goes for cradle cap: you’ll want to adapt the cleaning routine. You can wash your little darling's head every two or three days with a gentle, hypoallergenic shampoo specially designed for babies. Find our tips on baby care in our article "".

You can also gently massage a fatty substance onto dry hair, away from bath time baths , such as sweet almond oil or coconut oil. liniment is also an option. Then, brush very gently with a very soft brush (for example, with silk bristles). This way, you’ll remove the crusts gently without irritating your baby's scalp. After this procedure, the scalp should be smooth, slightly red, and a little lighter than the surrounding skin.

Last-resort medications

If the lesions persist, spread, or become infected, talk to a doctor. They will give you initial care advice and, if necessary, prescribe anti-inflammatory or topical antifungal medications. It is very rare for medication to be necessary Milk crusts usually heal on their own.

Milk crusts are not very pretty, that’s a fact! But beyond that, the best advice is patience.[JA3] They can last several months, but they almost always go away on their own. A few small precautions are helpful, but nothing more. Your baby doesn’t even suffer from it. So hang in there—it’s almost over. ;)