If there are flakes on your scalp and other body parts that are oily, you might be affected by cradle cap. This is common in children, but it can also appear in adulthood.
Besides flakes, some other symptoms are described in the next paragraph, but there are some questions about this condition. One of them is about its odor.
The flakes are greasy, yellowish, or white and may look like small cheese dots. But does it smell like cheese?
In this article, we are going to discuss this aspect mainly and its treatment. But let’s start with its basic introduction and symptoms so you can better identify whether you are dealing with cradle cap or something else.
Cradle cap
This condition, when in adults, got a different name. We normally use this exact name for adults, but the term that better describes its symptoms in adults is “Seborrheic Dermatitis.”
Although less common, it can affect adults of any age. The areas that are most affected are the scalp, face, and chest.
Cradle cap in adults shows similar symptoms to those in children. Similarly, there is no exact cause behind this condition. A yeast Malassezia is mostly blamed to be responsible for this condition.
It overactivates oil production glands that produce Sebum oil. The overactivation of those glands results in excessive oil production, which forms flakes and causes grease to develop.
Symptoms usually include:
- Redness
- Yellowish or white flakes
- Itching
- Mild inflammation
- Greasiness
- Scales or patches on the skin
- Temporary hair loss
- Mild odor
You see, mild odor is a symptom of cradle cap in adults. But what it smells like? Let’s have a look.
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Does cradle cap smell like cheese?
Usually, it does not smell. The smell will be very little to unnoticeable. However, severe cases can develop an observable smell. Usually, it does not smell like cheese. It smells oily both in adults and children due to the excessive amount of sebum on the skin.
The smell should not be bad. If it is bad, it could be due to a rash or infection. Also, if the skin is damaged due to scratching, the damaged area may attract infection and thus cause a bad smell.
Treatment
You can take some easy steps to get rid of the cradle cap smell and other symptoms. Adults have more treatment options available because they do not have sensitive skin like toddlers and infants.
First, keep your body clean. Take enough baths to remove the smell. Cradle cap often cause excessive oil production of skin where sebaceous glands are more active. So, taking daily baths will help reduce the unnatural amount of oil. The smell will also be removed after the skin becomes less oily.
During the bath, use a shampoo, which will help you remove symptoms like itching and inflammation.
Use a soft brush to remove flakes if your scalp and other body areas are flaky. These ways will help you fight against the symptoms of cradle cap and make your body smell natural.
Conclusions
It is natural for your body to smell a little unusual when the skin is affected by conditions like cradle cap. The smell is usually unnoticeable or very little. The smell will be oily. If your body smells bad and the smell is easily noticeable, consult a doctor. Maybe your skin is affected by bacterial infection. If this is the case, you will get personalized treatment from your doctor. If there is a case of mild cradle cap, you can follow the treatment described in this article. I hope this information helped you a lot.
