On top of cradle cap

Cradle cap is often viewed as the norm in infancy. It is, however, highly amenable to treatment. While cradle cap generally causes no ill-effects to the newborn baby, new parents may experience disappointment in their attempts to resolve the problem and be distressed by others' response to their infant's appearance. Moisturisers have an important role in softening scale, yet baby oil alone is often not sufficient. Greasier emollients may not be cosmetically acceptable and parental choice can be a key factor in the successful treatment of the problem. Parents may benefit from instructions on how to apply topical treatments effectively, and the opportunity to discuss their anxieties. Good skin care (i.e. the use of emollients) will promote general skin health and reduce any dryness associated with co-existing atopic eczema.