Crusts on the head and face of children of different ages: what it is and how to deal with it. How to remove seborrheic dermatitis in a baby: shampoos and oils for removing crusts on the baby’s head and behind the ears

Yellowish crusts on the baby's head are seborrheic dermatitis, which occurs due to the secretion of sebum, which is qualitatively changed in the baby due to natural hormonal imbalances. A rash does not always indicate any pathology, but it cannot be ignored. Crusts may appear on the eyebrows and other parts of the body. Such seborrheic crusts appear both in the first days and closer to the year. Seborrheic dermatitis, as a rule, does not require drug treatment and disappears on its own. Cases with complications of the disease, when the disease affects large areas of the body, are treated with special means.

Seborrheic crusts from the head can spread to the face - mainly eyebrows and cheeks

Main features

Many mothers know well what seborrheic dermatitis looks like in a baby, since it is common. Let's list the main features:

Grayish or yellowish scales covering partially or completely the scalp of the baby. The greatest concentration of scales occurs in the parietal region. They accumulate in a dense layer, popularly called a cap, shell, or cradle cap.
Crusts also form on other parts of the body. Rarely, they can appear on the neck, face, and behind the ears. Dermatitis in a newborn affects the buttock, axillary and groin areas.
The formation of seborrheic crusts is not accompanied by inflammatory processes and does not cause irritation, which makes it possible to distinguish them from atopic dermatitis. Details about atopic dermatitis are described in our other materials (we recommend reading:).
The scales look unassuming, but do not cause itching. The child does not react to them in any way, he does not experience discomfort.

The manifestation of this type of dermatitis occurs between the ages of one week and 3 months. The lifespan of scales depends on the individual characteristics of the child. Most often they disappear without a trace by the age of one year, but in some children they persist for up to 2-4 years. Localized under the hairline, the crusts do not make it difficult to comb hair and do not bother the baby.

The crusts on the baby's head do not bother them, but they look unsightly - like severe dandruff in an adult

What are the causes of scales?

This article talks about typical ways to solve your issues, but each case is unique! If you want to find out from me how to solve your particular problem, ask your question. It's fast and free!

Doctors have not identified precisely established causes leading to the formation of seborrheic crusts. Only assumptions are voiced, among which are the following:

Formation of the baby's endocrine system. Developing inside the mother's womb, the child's body receives the necessary hormones from her. After childbirth, the resulting hormones begin to be withdrawn, which leads to a predictable malfunction of the endocrine system. The work of the sebaceous glands intensifies, excess sebum appears on the skin in the form of small scabs, and a crust forms on the head. Since the hormonal background of children can be different, in some children it does not appear at all.
Negative external stimuli. The crust is formed due to wearing a headdress for a long time. Sweat and heat provoke seborrheic dermatitis. In addition, scales on the baby's head form from frequent washing. Using the wrong detergents causes the top layer of the epidermis to dry out. Dry skin becomes the culprit of a malfunction of the sebaceous glands.
Quality of mother's diet. It is believed that seborrhea on the head is the baby’s body’s response to the mother’s poor diet (we recommend reading:). Perhaps, with mother's milk, the baby receives certain elements that affect the endocrine system. The same version applies to artificial feeding, when the child is given a formula that is poorly tolerated by his body. Early introduction of complementary foods also provokes the disease.
Activation of the opportunistic fungus Malassezia furfur. The fungus constantly lives in our skin. Hormonal imbalance gives impetus to the rapid proliferation of the fungus, which leads to the appearance of yellow rashes.
Weakening of the immune system. The version is based on the fact that every baby is born with a weak immune system. If the child’s protective functions are weakened, the fungus described above begins to multiply and the functioning of the sebaceous glands is disrupted. The baby's low weight, infectious disease, and heredity also affect the stability of the immune system.

Frequent wearing of caps creates a moist environment favorable to seborrheic dermatitis. At home and in the warm season, the child should walk without a headdress

How to identify seborrheic dermatitis?

Only a specialist can correctly diagnose the disease. A dermatologist, by comparing the signs, is able to distinguish the disease from ringworm, atopic dermatitis, an infectious skin disease, and psoriasis. The diagnosis is based on an external examination and test results, which include:

microscopy and mycological examination of scales;
skin biopsy;
research on the state of the child’s hormonal levels.

What is the treatment?

Yellow crusts, which cause concern for the mother, do not pose a danger to the baby’s life.

Treatment of seborrhea does not involve serious medical measures; in most cases, it simply disappears over time. Reducing the density and dryness of the crusts will help you quickly get rid of the unpleasant formation.

Lubricate the scales on the baby's head, behind the ears, on the forehead and eyebrows with cleansing oils. Pharmacies offer different types of oils: almond, primrose, peach, jojoba, olive. Oils are sold in regular bottles and sprays.
Treat areas where rashes accumulate (behind the ears, on the eyebrows, on the forehead) with cleansing gels, creams, emulsions. Under their influence, the crusts soften, you don’t have to comb them out, just rinse the child’s head well and remove the residue with your hands. In addition, the composition of gels and creams includes substances that regulate the functioning of the sebaceous glands. The secretion of excess fat decreases and a “shell” does not form. French-made drugs work well: D.S. Uriage and Mustela Stelaker. Apply at night and rinse thoroughly in the morning.
Wash the baby with antiseborrheic shampoos. Shampoos are applied to damp hair and rubbed in until a thick foam is formed. After holding for 5 minutes, wash your baby. Use the Friederm brand, which contains antifungal agents.
Use dermatological creams. The drug should be rubbed into dry scalp up to 2 times a day, do not rinse. The best baby cream is Bioderma Sensibio DS+. Acts against microbes and restores normal functioning of the sebaceous glands.

Use any of the medications only after a doctor’s prescription, and no more than twice a week. Duration of treatment is 1-2 months. If you are afraid of artificial compounds, turn to traditional medicine, which has its own, long-established methods of combating seborrhea. We offer the most common method of folk getting rid of an unpleasant phenomenon.

What folk remedies help?

The main folk method of treating the disease is the use of vegetable oils: sea buckthorn, sunflower, olive. Oils soften the crusts, then carefully comb them out. The process goes like this:

Generously coat the affected area with oil and leave it on for 20 minutes. Before the procedure, do not moisturize your baby’s hair; the skin should be dry.
To soften the crust well, you should put a thin knitted cap on the baby’s head.
Take a soft brush and carefully remove the crusts from the head and behind the ears.
Wash your baby's hair and head with shampoo to remove any remaining oil.
If there are still scales left after washing, you need to take a clean brush and comb them out.

The same folk method, which helps remove scales, is suitable for treating dermatitis on the eyebrows and behind the ears. If your treasure has long hair, cut it before the procedure to prevent it from getting in the way. Monitor the effect of the cream or shampoo. If an allergic reaction occurs, immediately wash off the product, stop using this shampoo or gel, and try a different brand.

Crusts softened with oil or cream can be painlessly removed using a soft brush.

What is absolutely forbidden to do?

A warning to impatient mothers and those who are concerned about the aesthetic appearance of your child: it is strictly forbidden to pick off scabs or remove them from dry skin. Such removal only provokes the formation of new scales. By carrying out a “barbaric” procedure, you can injure the skin. The resulting wound will cause infection and the situation will worsen.

What complications does seborrhea cause?

Complications do not appear on their own; there are always provoking factors - improper care, the effects of diet, drying out of the scalp lead to complications of dermatitis. Then the crusts on the head turn into a depressing state. Remember the manifestation of alarm signals:

Expansion of the area of the scaly “shell”, transition from the head to other parts of the body. Redness and itching appear. Hereditary predisposition to atopy leads to the development of atopic dermatitis.
The slightest wound or abrasion in the area of seborrhea causes skin infection, which can lead to secondary infection with streptococci and staphylococci. The rashes become pustular in nature, the area of affected skin increases, and dermatitis spreads to the axillary, buttock and groin areas. The baby will have to be given antibacterial medications.

One of the complications of seborrhea can be atopic dermatitis if the baby is predisposed to it (more details in the article:)

Is it possible to prevent the formation of crusts?

Having successfully eliminated the unpleasant process, mothers are looking for remedies that can prevent the problem from recurring. Dr. Komarovsky, explaining why dermatitis appears, focuses on diet. A well-known pediatrician suggests that nursing mothers balance their diet by reducing the proportion of carbohydrates and fatty foods that affect the fat content of milk. Simple preventive measures will help you avoid encountering the problem again.

Parents are usually concerned when a kind of crust appears on their child’s head. The mother may notice such a small growth even in the maternity hospital. In some children, these crusts persist for up to a year, and although they do not cause any inconvenience to the children themselves, parents still strive to get rid of dubious growths. That is why all mothers should arm themselves with information about what crusts on babies’ heads are, whether they are harmful and how to remove them.

Causes of crusts

In infants, the appearance of crusts is a very common phenomenon. Perhaps every second baby has seborrheic crusts, regardless of whether there are hairs on the head or not. The very name “seborrheic crusts” in this case is arbitrary, since outwardly these crusts resemble the symptoms of seborrhea. True, unlike real seborrheic crusts, infant crusts have nothing to do with the disease. In babies, the formation of crusts on the skin is a natural process, the root of which is the unregulated functioning of the sebaceous and sweat glands. Some babies develop dense yellow crusts, while others have thin white crusts that look like sticky dandruff. This is an individual feature, but in its origin it is one and the same phenomenon.

Despite the fact that the formation of crusts is a natural process, some parental actions can increase their growth:

Overheating. Babies who are bundled up even when warm and wearing a hat sweat more. This causes crusts to form more actively.
Frequent hair washing. The baby's skin does not yet have reliable protection, so frequent washing of the hair with shampoo or soap only aggravates the situation.
Using inappropriate household chemicals. Shampoos and washing gels containing dyes, fragrances and other “chemicals” are not suitable for babies. Children often develop allergies to such drugs, which increases the formation of seborrheic crusts.

Scale of the disaster

How to remove

The most effective way to remove crusts is mechanical removal. This must be done according to a certain method. Do not scrape them off with a fingernail or sharp object.– this can injure delicate skin. You also cannot remove the crusts without soaking them first.

Note to moms!

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To remove crusts from the baby's head, you will need cosmetic or sterile vegetable oil (you can use it), a thin cap, shampoo and a comb with natural bristles.

The areas of the scalp where crusts have appeared should be generously lubricated with oil and left for 20-30 minutes. For better softening, you can put a thin knitted cap on your head.
When the allotted “oiling” time is over, you need to carefully remove the crusts with a comb, making movements in different directions.
Oil from the scalp and hair is washed off with baby shampoo. While washing your hair, areas with crusts can be additionally massaged with your fingers.
After bathing, when there is no oil or shampoo left on the head, you can go through the comb again to remove any separated residues.

You can repeat this procedure, just like washing your baby’s hair in general, no more than 2 times a week.

Video: How and with what to remove seborrheic crust

(Memo. Clickable)

Photo reminder on how to remove crusts from a baby’s head

About shampoo for crusts

Instead of the “oil procedure”, you can use a special shampoo for crusts. Not all manufacturers have such tools. When choosing a shampoo, you can trust recommendations from mothers in online communities and reviews from friends. Shampoo, of course, will not get rid of combing. In the fight against crusts, shampoo replaces oil because it contains softening components. Unlike oil, you need to lather it on your head and wash it off after 2-3 minutes, and after washing it off, start combing out the loose crusts. The effectiveness of this method is difficult to assess objectively. Apparently, personal characteristics play a big role, because the shampoo helps some people within a few uses, but does not help others for months.

Video #2:

Prevention of occurrence

Preventive actions, if they do not completely relieve parents of the problem of crusts on the baby’s head, then at least reduce their spread.

Don't overheat the baby. Always remove your hat in a warm room. At home, it is also not always advisable for even a newborn to wear a hat.
Maintain air humidity at the desired level.
Don't be fanatic about washing your baby's hair. You can wash it with detergent 1-2 times a week.
Carefully select household chemicals for your baby so as not to provoke allergies and dermatitis.
Use a comb every day, even if there is nothing special to comb. Massage with a natural bristle comb is a good way to prevent crust formation.

Seborrheic crusts on a baby's head are not as serious a problem as mothers might think. If you can’t remove the crusts, you can contact a specialist, but in most cases this problem does not require medical intervention or serious measures.

Crusts on a baby's head form some time (from a couple of days to several weeks) after the baby is born. At the same time, many young mothers are truly horrified, often mistaking them for a manifestation of some skin disease.

What are crusts on the head?

The formation of crusts in a newborn can occur en masse throughout the entire scalp. Most often they are located near the fontanel and over time they grow and stick to the ends of the baby’s hair in clusters. As a rule, these crusts appear white, sometimes with a yellowish tint, often reminiscent of dandruff. Crusts appear as a result of the hard work of the sebaceous glands, which leads to the production of sebum. These lubricants gradually spread throughout the child’s head and dry out, subsequently turning into a kind of crust. In medical terminology, this phenomenon is called seborrheic dermatitis. As a result of the child’s body adapting to the air environment, increased secretion of glands occurs. In most babies, the crusts disappear on their own by the twelfth month of life. Experts disagree on how to properly deal with scaly formations. Some believe that attempts to get rid of crusts significantly increase the risk of damage and infection to the newborn’s skin, while others believe that due to scales there is a clear slowdown in hair growth.

Causes

As we have already noted above, the only reason for the appearance of scaly elements on a baby’s head is the excessive work of the sebaceous glands. But the reason for such hard work can be the following factors:

Allergic reactions in a child, diathesis.
Wrapping the baby up too much.
Frequently wash your newborn's hair.
Improper nutrition of the mother during lactation (too much consumption of smoked, spicy, fried, baked goods, fatty, sweet, preservatives).
If the baby's headdress consists of synthetic materials.
Use of hygiene products with various additives (dyes, preservatives, flavors).
Wearing a hat for newborns around the clock.

The appearance and spread of scaly crusts on the baby’s head does not cause the latter any discomfort and does not harm the baby. In this case, the appearance of these elements worries only the parents of the newborn.

Methods of disposal

To get rid of scaly formations on a baby’s head, you need to carefully prepare for this process.

IMPORTANT! It must be remembered that in no way should you rush to comb out or try to peel off the crusts. This is fraught with serious consequences.

The first thing you should do is prepare some kind of softening agent (olive oil, special shampoo, baby soap, burdock oil), a soft brush (you need to pay attention to the fact that its bristles are made of natural fibers), and a cotton baby hat.
Next, you need to apply the prepared product to the scalp of the newborn. It should be applied as carefully as possible so as not to damage the baby's skin. You can use cotton wool for this. After you have applied the moisturizer, put a cap on the baby's head, and after an hour or two, just carefully rinse everything off while bathing the baby.
After bathing, you should comb out all the crusts from the baby’s head as carefully as possible.
If a few crusts still remain on your baby’s head, then don’t be upset, because most likely they will be washed off during the next bath.
If the procedure does not bring the expected result, then you can anoint the child’s head with oil, put on a cap and leave it overnight.
Remember that this method can be repeated no more than once a week, and even if your child’s scales have disappeared, this method can be an excellent preventative measure, since crusts tend to form again.

Prevention

To avoid the recurrence of crusts on the baby’s head, you need to follow a number of simple rules. Preventive measures include:

If the child is in a room where the air temperature is quite high, then you should not dress him with all kinds of hats or caps. The scalp must “breathe”. If the apartment/room is cool enough, then try to use hats made from natural fabrics to insulate the newborn’s head.
Temper your baby with air baths (no more than 3-5 minutes daily).
Use a humidifier to maintain the necessary air humidity in the children's room. Also try to keep the air temperature acceptable.
You should not constantly wrap your baby up; try to dress him appropriately for the weather and room temperature.
Use hygiene products for bathing a newborn (baby soap) no more than once or twice a week. Try to bathe more often without additional detergents.

The most important guarantee of health and normal development for infants is parents’ compliance with it. Therefore, try to ensure that the baby takes regular baths and also wears clean and fresh clothes and his environment at all times.

Not a single millimeter, not a single area on the baby’s body is left without the attention of caring parents. This is the fate of all desired babies. It’s good when nothing worries adults, but it’s another matter if someone finds something “special” in a child that requires treatment or other active action.

Seborrheic crusts in infants is what often forces mothers and fathers to start studying specialized literature, forums and online publications. For your convenience, we have collected all the necessary information on this matter together, which will allow you to thoroughly understand the problem and take all necessary measures to eliminate it.

From this article you will learn:

The appearance of peculiar scales on the head of a newborn or older baby should not cause panic in parents. There is nothing wrong with such formations.

They are also called “milk”, “gneiss”, “cradle cap” - this is a type of dandruff, only in adults it is provoked by dry skin, and seborrheic crusts in children arise due to excessive secretion of their sebaceous glands, improper nutrition of the nursing mother or due to improper care for delicate skin.

Crusts on a baby's head are usually localized in the parietal part, as well as on the forehead and in the area of the fontanel. They can be dry, transparent, white, yellowish, oily, with or without odor. To get rid of them once and for all, you just need to follow simple rules and recommendations.

What baby skin doesn't like

Before you start dealing with the trouble that has befallen your little one, analyze your actions. They can be the main cause of skin defects.

Is your child wearing a cap 24/7? There will be more short spots on the baby's head;
Have you chosen a fragrant colored shampoo to wash your hair? The child may react to the dye or flavoring.
Do you wash your baby's hair every day? You may be drying out his skin, causing crusts to form on it.
Is the child allergic? This means that scales on his head can appear regularly and be pronounced.

Wearing a cap

As for wearing a hat at home, there is no consensus on this matter. Experts of the “old school” insist that a baby needs a hat (although they don’t always talk about when to forget about it). More progressive doctors recommend not putting a hat on the child upon arrival from the maternity hospital, especially if it is warm in the nursery (+23-24 degrees).

Now about cosmetics

The choice of baby shampoo should be wise. There is no need to fall for advertised products that are fragrant, beautiful and attractive:

Firstly, in order to attract new customers, the manufacturer may forget about the end consumer - the child;
Secondly, the simpler the composition of a cosmetic product, the less harm it causes to babies.

Excessive care

It is clear that parents strive to give their baby maximum attention, but washing your hair every day is not reasonable. Once or twice a week will be more than enough.

Children with allergies

Special attention should be paid to children with allergies. Due to the peculiarities of their immune system, the issue of skin care should be discussed with a pediatric dermatologist. Only a doctor can tell you what can be used and what should be abandoned immediately.

Rules, tips and recommendations for the elimination and prevention of seborrheic crusts on the head of infants

Let's move on to the issue of eliminating the problem that has arisen. You can forget about unpleasant formations by following the instructions below.

Step one: softening the crusts

To thoroughly cleanse your scalp, you need to thoroughly prepare it for washing. For this:

About an hour before water procedures, apply regular baby oil to the skin surface affected by scales (vaseline, vegetable oil and, in difficult cases, salicylic ointment will also work);
Put a cap on your baby. It will prevent oil from getting into your eyes and will also create a lasting “greenhouse effect.”
Immediately before taking a bath, remove the cap and massage your head with a brush with soft natural bristles.

Step two: wash

When the crusts have become soft enough and have already begun to peel off from the surface of the skin, you can start washing your hair.

Under no circumstances should you try to pick out the scabs with your fingernails. This way you will only injure the delicate skin and introduce an infection into the microscopic wound.

Apply baby shampoo and massage the scalp;
Rinse off the shampoo so that there are no traces of cosmetics and oil left on your head;
Dry your head with a terry towel.

Step three: removing any remaining crusts

Everything that did not go away with water and shampoo is removed now:

Take a blunt-toothed comb and run it over the child’s head in different directions;
Now arm yourself with a brush and comb your hair/fluff, paying attention to the places where the crusts were concentrated. She will collect everything that the comb “lifted”;
Enjoy the purity and perfection of your head.

Clean, neat and pleasant to the touch - this is what a baby’s scalp will look like after the procedures. The following will help preserve and consolidate the positive effect:

Following a diet by a nursing mother: fried, smoked, salty and sweet foods causes the baby’s sebaceous glands to work with redoubled force, which aggravates the condition of his skin;
Cosmetics on a natural basis, without chemicals;
Air access. Moisture is the best friend of milk crusts, so it’s better to forget about caps at home;
Observations and proper care. If you cannot get rid of the problem at once, repeat the procedure a few days later.

It is believed that a set of measures to combat milk crusts in infants can take 10 days. If this period has passed, and the scales do not disappear/grow and bother the baby, you should seek medical help.

Pediatrician's advice and parents' personal experience (video)

If you have any difficulties or problems, you can contact a certified specialist who will definitely help!

Have yellow scales appeared on your hair and are preventing your hair from growing? It's ugly, but not scary. The appearance of a crust on the head of a newborn is a common occurrence and there is no reason to worry.

When do crusts appear on a baby's head?

Most often, scales appear in the first weeks of a baby's life, but they can also appear later. The appearance of crusts before 6 months should not cause concern to parents. It also happens that the scales do not go away even up to 1 year, but this is rare and in such cases you need to consult a dermatologist to rule out allergies. The crust does not bother the baby and does not cause itching, but it is not a very pleasant phenomenon.

When does a crust appear on the head of a newborn? In the first 2-3 weeks of birth, a crust forms on the head of newborns. It covers the parietal region of the head, but sometimes the entire head, eyebrows, and behind the ears. The period of appearance can last up to 1 year.

What does a crust on a newborn's head look like? The crust on a baby's head is very similar to dandruff on an adult. The scales are yellowish or gray in color, accumulate in the parietal part of the head or cover the entire area. Dry or greasy scales layer on top of each other and form a crust. At the initial stage, the crust is transparent and loose, but over time it can thicken.

Why does a baby have a crust on his head?

A crust on a baby’s head is a natural phenomenon that occurs in almost all children, but only at different stages of severity. The scales layer on top of each other and form a crust, which, although it does not bother the child, does not look very aesthetically pleasing.

Causes of a crust on the head of a baby:

active work of the sebaceous glands. Discharge accumulates on the head and is difficult to remove;
eating disorders. Seborrheic crusts occur due to improper nutrition of the baby or mother during breastfeeding. Mom needs to limit fatty, smoked and sweet foods;
allergy;
cosmetical tools. Using bathing products that are not suitable for the baby;
frequent hair washing. Pediatricians do not recommend washing your hair with baby shampoo more than 2 times a week. Shampoo can dry out the scalp and cause seborrhea;
sweating You shouldn’t let your baby’s head sweat; to do this, you should wear hats that suit the season.

Knowing the cause of the crust, you can successfully fight it, and the sooner you start treatment, the sooner the unpleasant symptoms will go away.

When will the crust on the baby's head go away? Proper care of the crust allows you to get rid of scales after several procedures. Most often, the growths disappear by 6 months, but can cause discomfort for up to 1 year. If after 1 year the crust does not go away, then you need to consult a doctor to find out the cause of this phenomenon.

How to remove a crust on a newborn's head?

Crusts on a baby’s head are not a disease, so you can do without medication. Of course, every mother wants to immediately remove the unpleasant scales, but there is no need to rush. It is strictly forbidden to tear off the crust with your fingernails or a comb. This will leave scratches on the skin, which can lead to infection.

Oil. Our grandmothers' many years of experience show that you can remove the crust from a baby's head with oil. It does little to soften seborrheic crusts and can be removed. You need to smear the baby’s head 1 hour before taking water procedures and put on a cap. Recommended use:

special baby oil;
petrolatum;
olive oil;
salicylic ointment.

While bathing, gentle scalp massage and brushing will help loosen the scales.

How to comb out the crust from a baby's head?

After softening the crust with oil and bathing, the scales are combed out, as the oil has made them soft.

How to comb out a crust on a newborn's head? It won't be difficult, but you have to be extremely careful. Removal occurs using a comb or brush. A comb with blunt ends will not harm the baby’s skin, but it is better not to use one with sharp ends. The brush should have soft natural bristles. Wet hair, after bathing, is combed in different directions, so the scales will remain on the comb.

How to remove crusts on a baby's head? Combing out scabs on a newborn's head is not so easy. Some parents will decide that they can scrape off the scales with their hands and everything will go away. This is wrong and cannot be done this way. Nails can scratch the baby's delicate skin and cause infection.

To remove a crust on a newborn’s head, you need to perform a combing procedure in three stages: softening, bathing, combing.

Treatment of crusts on the head of a baby:

Softening. Apply special oil, salicylic cream or Vaseline to the baby's head and put on a cap. This will soften the scales and make them easier to remove. It is better to start this procedure 1 hour before swimming. A small scalp massage with a soft brush will help remove scales faster.
Bathing. We carry out water procedures as always - carefully soap the head with baby shampoo. You must rinse off the detergent very carefully.
Combing. After bathing, there is no need to remove the scales with your hands; for this you will need a brush with soft bristles. Gentle combing will not damage delicate skin.