What Causes Seborrhoeic Dermatitis In An Infant?

Posted on Wed, 3 Dec 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 3 Dec 2014 Answered on

Fri, 19 Dec 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : My 1 month old son has this on his had and his face,
Whats this?
And should i be worried?

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Cradle cap

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic. I have gone through the images. You child has a condition called cradle cap (infantile or neonatal seborrhoeic dermatitis) which is basically a fungal infection of the excessive sebaceous secretion from the sebaceous glands of the scalp. It is not a cause of concern. Just apply ketokonazole shampoo like Nizoral twice or thrice a week. It may persist for sometime and there is nothing to be worried about.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (3 minutes later)

And whats the reason for the smell?

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Due to excessive fatty secretions

Detailed Answer:
As I mentioned, it is basically a fungal infection of the excessive sebaceous secretion from the sebaceous glands of the scalp. The smell is due the excess oily secretions getting exposed to air and thereby oxidized.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj