cradle cap: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
IntermediateInformal, Parental, Medical
Quick answer
What does “cradle cap” mean?
A common, harmless skin condition in babies, causing scaly, yellowish patches on the scalp.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A common, harmless skin condition in babies, causing scaly, yellowish patches on the scalp.
A form of infantile seborrheic dermatitis, also known as infantile seborrhea, that can sometimes affect the eyebrows, ears, or other parts of the head and neck.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is identical and equally common in both varieties, though BrE speakers may be more likely to use the full compound.
Connotations
Purely medical/descriptive in both, with a slight connotation of parental concern. No negative social connotations.
Frequency
Equally frequent in pediatric and parental contexts in both the UK and US.
Grammar
How to Use “cradle cap” in a Sentence
have cradle capsuffer from cradle captreat for cradle capbrush off cradle capVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cradle cap” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- You should try to gently lift the cradle cap with a soft brush.
- The health visitor showed us how to cradle cap the affected areas.
American English
- We're going to cradle cap his scalp with some special oil.
- Do you know how to safely cradle cap a baby?
adjective
British English
- He had a classic cradle-cap appearance.
- The cradle-cap symptoms are quite noticeable.
American English
- It's a common cradle-cap condition.
- We bought a cradle-cap treatment brush.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Used in pediatric and dermatological literature.
Everyday
Common in conversations among parents and healthcare advice forums.
Technical
A clinical, non-specialist term for seborrheic dermatitis affecting infants.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cradle cap”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cradle cap”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cradle cap”
- Using 'cradle cap' to refer to adult dandruff.
- Spelling as one word: 'cradlecap'.
- Confusing it with eczema.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Typically, no. Cradle cap is usually harmless and not bothersome to the baby, though severe cases might cause mild itching.
Gentle washing with a mild baby shampoo, applying mineral oil or baby oil to soften scales before bathing, and softly brushing with a soft brush can help.
If it spreads to the face or body, becomes red or inflamed, appears infected, or doesn't improve with simple home care.
No. The term is specific to infants. Adults can have a similar condition called seborrheic dermatitis, often known as dandruff when on the scalp.
A common, harmless skin condition in babies, causing scaly, yellowish patches on the scalp.
Cradle cap is usually informal, parental, medical in register.
Cradle cap: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkreɪd(ə)l ˌkap/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkreɪd(ə)l ˌkæp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a baby's CRADLE and a little CAP of scales on their head.
Conceptual Metaphor
BODY PART AS OBJECT (The scalp condition is a 'cap').
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of cradle cap?