From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
If cradle cap persists after oral fluconazole treatment, consider switching to a different approach, as the condition may not be primarily fungal in nature, and cradle cap is often related to overactive sebaceous glands rather than fungal infection. The most recent and highest quality study 1 suggests that seborrheic dermatitis, which includes cradle cap, is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder that is influenced by multiple factors, including sebaceous gland activity, fungal colonization by Malassezia spp., and immunosuppression. Some key points to consider when treating persistent cradle cap include:
- Daily gentle shampooing with a mild baby shampoo, followed by careful removal of scales using a soft brush or cloth
- Applying mineral oil, petroleum jelly, or baby oil to the scalp about 15 minutes before shampooing to help loosen scales
- Using an over-the-counter antifungal shampoo containing ketoconazole 1% (like Nizoral) twice weekly, or a mild corticosteroid cream like hydrocortisone 1% for any inflamed areas
- Considering alternative treatments, such as a gel cream containing piroctone olamine, biosaccharide gum-2, stearyl glycyrrhetinate, and zinc l-pyrrolidone carboxylate, as shown to be effective in a study 2 If these measures don't improve the condition within two weeks, or if the scalp becomes increasingly red, irritated, or spreads to other body areas, consult a pediatrician for further evaluation, as this could indicate a different skin condition requiring alternative treatment.