From the FDA Drug Label
Seborrheic dermatitis: Ketoconazole Cream 2% should be applied to the affected area twice daily for four weeks or until clinical clearing. For a 15-month-old infant with cradle cap (seborrhoeic dermatitis), the treatment is to apply Ketoconazole Cream 2% to the affected area twice daily for four weeks or until clinical clearing, as stated in the drug label 1.
- Key points:
- Apply Ketoconazole Cream 2% twice daily
- Treat for four weeks or until clinical clearing
- Re-evaluate diagnosis if no clinical improvement after treatment period Alternatively, Selenium Sulfide lotion can be used, applying it two times a week for two weeks as stated in the drug label 2.
- Key points:
- Apply Selenium Sulfide lotion two times a week
- Treat for two weeks
- Use at less frequent intervals for maintenance
From the Research
Cradle cap in a 15-month-old infant can be effectively treated with a non-steroidal gel cream containing piroctone olamine, biosaccharide gum-2, stearyl glycyrrhetinate, and zinc l-pyrrolidone carboxylate, as it has been shown to reduce erythema and desquamation severity, and is well-tolerated and safe 3. The treatment of cradle cap, also known as seborrhoeic dermatitis, in infants involves gentle and non-invasive methods to remove the scales and reduce inflammation.
- Regular shampooing with a mild baby shampoo is often the first line of treatment, followed by gentle brushing with a soft brush to remove the scales.
- For more persistent cases, applying a non-steroidal gel cream, such as the one mentioned above, can help reduce the severity of the condition.
- It is essential to note that cradle cap is a benign and self-limiting condition, and it typically resolves on its own by the age of 6-12 months, though it can occasionally persist longer.
- The use of medicated shampoos or topical corticosteroids should be considered only after consulting with a pediatrician, as they can be irritating to an infant's skin.
- The non-steroidal gel cream has been shown to be effective in reducing the severity of cradle cap, with a significant reduction in erythema and desquamation severity, and is well-tolerated and safe 3.
- The study that investigated the use of this gel cream found that it reduced the colony-forming unit count for Malassezia furfur and Staphylococcus aureus, which are common causes of cradle cap, and improved the symptoms of the condition without causing any significant adverse effects 3.