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