From the FDA Drug Label
DOSAGE & ADMINISTRATION SECTION ... Seborrheic dermatitis: Ketoconazole Cream 2% should be applied to the affected area twice daily for four weeks or until clinical clearing. The treatment for cradle cap, which is a form of seborrheic dermatitis, in an infant 5 months old is to apply Ketoconazole Cream 2% to the affected area twice daily for four weeks or until clinical clearing 1.
From the Research
To treat cradle cap in a 5-month-old infant, applying a gel cream containing piroctone olamine, biosaccharide gum-2, stearyl glycyrrhetinate, and zinc l-pyrrolidone carboxylate twice daily for 30 days is a valid option, as it has been shown to reduce erythema and desquamation severity, as well as decrease the colony-forming unit count for Malassezia furfur and Staphylococcus aureus 2. This approach is supported by a recent study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, which demonstrated the efficacy and tolerability of this gel cream in treating mild to moderate cradle cap in infants 2. The study found that the gel cream reduced erythema and desquamation severity, and decreased the colony-forming unit count for Malassezia furfur and Staphylococcus aureus, with no signs of local side effects documented 2. Some key points to consider when treating cradle cap in infants include:
- Gentle scalp massage with a soft brush or washcloth to loosen flakes
- Washing with a mild baby shampoo
- Avoiding the use of harsh or medicated shampoos that can strip the scalp of its natural oils
- Applying a moisturizer or emollient to the scalp to help soften scales and reduce dryness, as suggested by a study published in The Journal of Family Health Care 3 However, the most recent and highest quality study suggests that the use of a gel cream containing piroctone olamine, biosaccharide gum-2, stearyl glycyrrhetinate, and zinc l-pyrrolidone carboxylate is a more effective treatment option for cradle cap in infants 2.