Overview
Seborrheic dermatitis is a common,
inflammatory skin condition that causes flaky, white to
yellowish scales to form on oily areas such as the scalp or inside the ear. It can occur with or without reddened skin.
Cradle cap is the term used when seborrheic dermatitis affects the scalp of infants.
Symptoms
Seborrheic dermatitis can occur on many different body areas. Typically it forms where the skin is oily or greasy. Commonly affected areas include the scalp, eyebrows, eyelids, creases of the nose, lips, behind the ears, in the external ear, and along skin folds on the middle of the body.
Seborrheic dermatitis in infants, also called cradle cap, is a harmless, temporary condition. It appears as thick, crusty, yellow or brown scales over the child's scalp. Similar scales may also be found on the eyelids, ear, around the nose, and in the groin. Cradle cap may be seen in newborns and
small children up to age 3 .
Cradle cap is not contagious, nor is it caused by poor hygiene. It is not an allergy, and it is not dangerous. Cradle cap may or may not itch. If it itches, excessive scratching of the area may cause additional
inflammation, and breaks in skin may cause mild
infections or bleeding.
In general, symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis include:
Skin lesions
Plaques over large area
Greasy, oily areas of skin
Skin scales -- white and flaking, or yellowish, oily, and adherent -- "dandruff"
Itching -- may become more itchy if infected
Mild redness
Hair loss
