If the cause of a disease is known then it becomes easy to cure it. That is why whenever any new disease breaks out, scientists zero in on finding out the real cause behind it. But they do not do so for all kind of diseases. Particularly, if it is a harmful one then time is not wasted on it. It is because of this the actual cause behind cradle cap is not found out yet; nor does it hamper the treatment of the disease.



As per research made so far, the reason behind cradle cap is found out to be the overactive sebaceous glands in the skin of a neonate. This is due to the fact that mother’s hormone still works in the baby’s circulation. The glands release a greasy substance that old skin cells attach to the scalp as they try to dry up and fall off. Some specialists also opine that it may have something to do with skin yeast.

Pityrosporum ovale or Malassezia furfur as it is renamed is the yeast thought to be the cause behind cradle cap. Some other practitioners held the baby’s immature digestive system responsible for the disease. They think that the system fails to absorb sufficient biotin and other vitamins of the B-complex group. As no extensive research has been made in this field, there is difference of opinion as to the cause of the disease.

As mentioned above, there are some diseases that can be cured without much effort. To cure them fully, it is not necessary to know the exact cause behind it. Cradle cap is one such disease. It does not require any serious treatment to be cured. Even, if it is managed properly then it will vanish in course of time. Thus, cradle cap is a harmless skin condition easily curable. So, no extensive research is made on its cause.