Seborrheic dermatitis is a common complaint brought to pediatricians. Also known as “cradle cap” in infants and “dandruff” in adolescents, the condition is believed to be triggered by Malassezia yeasts.1 The natural course correlates androgen-driven excess sebum production: spontaneous improvement by age 1 year and reoccurrence with puberty. Treatment of this condition has supported a billion dollar market for over-the-counter treatments,2 loosely regulated by a Food and Drug Administration monograph.
The Internet provides easy access to several websites that give directions for home treatments. A popular approach is application of oil (olive, vegetable, or mineral), left on for as short as 15 minutes or as long as overnight, followed by brushing to loosen scales, and finally shampooing.3-6