Cradle cap vs Atopic dermatitis and tinea
How to tell Cradle cap and Atopic dermatitis and tinea apart when a board question makes them look alike.
Cradle cap is greasy infant scalp scale; atopic dermatitis is itchy eczema; tinea is fungal scale/alopecia.
Side by side
Cradle cap is infant seborrheic dermatitis with greasy yellow scale on scalp, usually not intensely pruritic.
Atopic dermatitis is pruritic eczema with flexural or cheek distribution; tinea is fungal annular/scaly infection or alopecia with KOH findings.
Cradle cap is infant seborrheic dermatitis with greasy yellow scale on scalp, usually not intensely pruritic.
Atopic dermatitis is pruritic eczema with flexural or cheek distribution; tinea is fungal annular/scaly infection or alopecia with KOH findings.
The repair move
Before naming the answer, force the stem through the separator: Cradle cap is greasy infant scalp scale; atopic dermatitis is itchy eczema; tinea is fungal scale/alopecia.
Try a free question
CoreA 2-month-old infant has thick, greasy yellow scaling on the scalp, eyebrows, and behind the ears. The infant does NOT appear to be itching the scales. Which condition is most likely?
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. CRADLE CAP. Cradle cap (infantile seborrheic dermatitis) presents in young infants with thick, greasy yellow scaling on scalp, eyebrows, behind ears, and other sebaceous areas. Usually NOT pruritic. Resolves spontaneously by age 1. Mild Malassezia yeast involvement. Treat with gentle scalp emollients, shampoo, soft brushing to remove scale.
Why the other choices are tempting
- B. Atopic dermatitis is INTENSELY PRURITIC eczema, typically on cheeks/extensor surfaces in infants.
- C. Tinea capitis is fungal scalp infection with patches of scaling and alopecia.
- D. Psoriasis has silvery scaling plaques, typically in older children/adults.
- E. Scabies has burrows and intense itch in webspaces.
Flashcards
Tap a card to flip it.
What clue supports Cradle cap?
Choose Cradle cap when the stem gives this pattern: Cradle cap is infant seborrheic dermatitis with greasy yellow scale on scalp, usually not intensely pruritic.
What clue supports Atopic dermatitis and tinea?
Choose Atopic dermatitis and tinea when the stem gives this contrasting pattern: Atopic dermatitis is pruritic eczema with flexural or cheek distribution; tinea is fungal annular/scaly infection or alopecia with KOH findings.
Quick answers
What is the fastest way to tell Cradle cap from Atopic dermatitis and tinea?
Cradle cap is greasy infant scalp scale; atopic dermatitis is itchy eczema; tinea is fungal scale/alopecia.
What is the key clue for Cradle cap?
Cradle cap is infant seborrheic dermatitis with greasy yellow scale on scalp, usually not intensely pruritic.
What is the key clue for Atopic dermatitis and tinea?
Atopic dermatitis is pruritic eczema with flexural or cheek distribution; tinea is fungal annular/scaly infection or alopecia with KOH findings.