Cradle cap (or seborrheic dermatitis, as it is known medically) is a condition that causes a red, scaly, itchy rash on the scalp. It's not totally clear what causes cradle cap, but a yeast-like or fungal organism may be involved. It usually clears by itself by 8 to 12 months of age.

Mild cases can be treated with a baby shampoo. "Gently shampoo the scalp to remove some of the scales," he advises. "You can also use a soft brush while shampooing or after putting some mineral oil on the scalp to lift the scales." Do not rub hard as you may exacerbate the problem.

If the condition is widespread or severe, parents should ask their pediatrician or a dermatologist to recommend an antiseborrheic shampoo, as well as corticosteroid, sulfer, and sulfacetamide and/or antifungal products depending on how the rash looks.