Dawaa Reference

chronic

Infantile Seborrhoeic Dermatitis (Cradle Cap)

Treatment options, dosing, cautions and Egyptian brands from the shipped Dawaa Reference card.

Evidence status

Checked against the sources named below

Sources3 sources

Egyptian National Drug Formulary - Antimicrobial 2023 (miconazole monograph) · Hydrocortisone 1% cream SmPC section 4.2 (eMC product 13103) · DermNet: Cradle cap (infantile seborrhoeic dermatitis)

Verified against3 documents
  • DermNet: Cradle cap (infantile seborrhoeic dermatitis)
  • Egyptian National Drug Formulary - Antimicrobial 2023 (miconazole monograph)
  • Hydrocortisone 1% cream SmPC section 4.2 (eMC product 13103)

Verified date2026-08

Presentation reference

Is it this?

Reference only, to read alongside your own examination.

Symptoms — what the patient reports (4)

  • The rash usually isn't itchy or painful and the baby seems content, even though it can distress parents to see [itching · rash]
  • It typically begins in the second week of life and lasts around 4 to 6 months
  • The condition is generally mild and resolves on its own
  • It starts in the first 3 months of life, stays mild, and settles on its own - in most babies by the end of the first year

Signs — what you find (3)

  • It affects the same facial areas as the adult form, plus the diaper region, neck folds and armpits
  • Cradle cap is an adherent yellowish scale-crust over the crown and front of the scalp that can spread to the whole scalp
  • Thick silver or yellow scale binding the hair into tufts can occur but isn't specific to seborrhoeic dermatitis

Tests (1)

  • Investigation isn't routinely needed for seborrhoeic dermatitis; it is a clinical diagnosis

If not this — what else fits (8)

  • Unlike seborrhoeic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis is itchy and weeping, affects the face and limb creases while sparing the trunk, and leaves scratch marks on an upset infant
  • Tinea capitis shows broken hairs or black dots, distinguishing it from cradle cap and being rare in adults
  • Impetigo leaves a honey-coloured crust rather than the greasy scale seen in cradle cap
  • Irritant contact dermatitis in the nappy area tends to spare the skin folds, unlike seborrhoeic dermatitis
  • Candidal nappy rash shows satellite lesions and can arise from colonisation by fecal yeast
  • Infantile psoriasis shows sharply defined red plaques with a silvery scale, distinct from ISD's greasy scale
  • Langerhans cell histiocytosis (histiocytosis X) tends to stay in the skin creases, with a purple-red rash cropping up elsewhere on the body
  • Acrodermatitis enteropathica involves the skin around body orifices and warrants checking zinc levels

SourceStatPearls "Seborrheic Dermatitis" - disease-level clinical article

Presentation findings are traced to the source above.

1

LIQUID PARAFFIN

1st line

Formtopical

Adult dose and duration

Massage baby oil, olive oil, or emollient onto the scalp scales, leave to soften, then gently brush with a soft brush and wash off with baby shampoo - daily until scales clear; repeat as needed

Paediatric dose

Infants only; avoid getting oil or emollient in the eyes

Dose source

DermNet: Cradle cap (infantile seborrhoeic dermatitis)

Why

First-line and usually sufficient on its own; most cases resolve with scale-softening and washing alone, without any medicated product

Cautions
  • Do not pick or scratch off scales - this can cause secondary infection.
  • Reassure caregivers this is self-limiting and usually clears within weeks to a few months.
  • Seek review if the rash spreads beyond the scalp or looks infected.
Egyptian brands
Egyptian brandManufacturerIndicative price
ADCOCARE CREAM 20 GM! also contains glyceryl monostearate, propylene glycol, ureaARAB DRUG COMPANY (ADCO)12.00 EGP
DERMOLAN CREAM 50 GM! also contains allantoin, glycerol, glycolic acid, panthenol, salicylic acid, urea, vitamin c, zinc oxideHI-CARE > EMICO PHARMA19.00 EGP
ADCOCARE CREAM 40 GM! also contains glyceryl monostearate, propylene glycol, ureaARAB DRUG COMPANY (ADCO)21.75 EGP
CARE MIX PLUS HAIR CREAM 50 GM! also contains cetostearyl alcohol, lanolin, panthenol, wheat protein, white soft paraffinVITA PHARM > CARE MIX29.50 EGP
PROPOLIS CREAM 15 ML! also contains cera alba, glycerin, propolisLUNA FOR PERFUMES AND COSMETICS > TECHNOMED GROUP30.00 EGP
PROPOLIS CREAM 30 ML! also contains cera alba, glycerin, propolisLUNA FOR PERFUMES AND COSMETICS > TECHNOMED GROUP55.00 EGP
HEALTHPOINT NAPPY CREAM 100 GM! also contains benzyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, glyceryl stearate, lanolin, peg-100 s, water, zinc oxideHEALTHPOINT LTD. > PAXTON70.00 EGP
HERCUL WHITENING CREAM 60 GM! also contains alpha arbutin, diemthicone, glycerin, licorice ext, octyl methoxy, titanium dioxide, vit.cLEADER FOR COSMETICS > JUNIER PHARMA74.75 EGP
2

MICONAZOLE

2nd line

Formtopical

Adult dose and duration

Apply 2% cream once or twice daily to affected areas x up to 4 weeks; seek specialist advice if not resolved by 4 weeks

Paediatric dose

Ketoconazole is deliberately not used here - the adult scalp and face seborrhoeic dermatitis entry restricts ketoconazole to children over 12 years. Note the Egyptian formulary's paediatric section for topical miconazole starts at 2 years, so use below that age is outside the labelled age range.

Dose source

Egyptian National Drug Formulary - Antimicrobial 2023 (miconazole monograph)

Why

Second-line when scale or inflammation persists despite emollient measures, or when the rash extends beyond the scalp (e.g. flexures, napkin area)

Cautions
  • Avoid contact with the eyes.
  • Stop and seek review if irritation worsens.
  • Reassess if no improvement after 4 weeks of treatment.
Egyptian brands
Egyptian brandManufacturerIndicative price
MICONOL 2% CREAM 15 GMMEMPHIS5.00 EGP
DERMOZOL 2% GEL 15 GMPHARCO6.00 EGP
MICOBAN 2% CREAM 20 GMAMRIYA9.00 EGP
MICONAZ 2% CREAM 20 GMMUP15.00 EGP
MICONAZ 2% ORAL GEL 20 GMMUP23.00 EGP
DAKTARIN 2% CREAM 15 GMMINA PHARM > JANSSEN CILAG28.00 EGP
DAKTARIN 2% ORAL GEL 40 GMJANSSEN CILAG > SOFICOPHARM53.50 EGP
ADCOZOLE 2% TOPICAL CR. 15 GMARAB DRUG COMPANY (ADCO)7.25 EGP
3

HYDROCORTISONE

3rd line

Formtopical

Adult dose and duration

Apply 1% cream thinly once daily to visibly inflamed areas only - short course only, up to 1 week, then stop

Paediatric dose

Rarely needed; most infantile seborrhoeic dermatitis resolves without steroids. Use the lowest effective potency for the shortest time

Dose source

Hydrocortisone 1% cream SmPC section 4.2 (eMC product 13103)

Why

Reserved for the minority of cases with marked inflammation not settling with emollient and antifungal measures. This is a rare, third-line, medically-supervised step - unlike the adult scalp/face entry, where topical steroids are a routine option

Cautions
  • Reserve for inflamed cases not responding to emollients or antifungal cream - not a first-line treatment in infants.
  • Use only a thin layer for a short course; infant skin absorbs topical steroid more readily than adult skin.
  • Stop as soon as inflammation settles.
  • Limit a course in a child to 7-10 days.
  • The scalp absorbs far more corticosteroid than limb skin - this matters most in an infant.
Egyptian brands
Egyptian brandManufacturerIndicative price
NOVACORTIN 1% CREAM 15 GMPHAROPHARMA4.75 EGP
NOVACORTIN 1% OINT. 15 GMPHAROPHARMA4.75 EGP
MICORT 1% CREAM 20 GMMISR12.50 EGP
HYDROCORTISONE 1% OINT. 20 GMMISR21.00 EGP

Prices are indicative (dataset snapshot 2026-06); verify with the pharmacy.