Dandruff, also called seborrheic dermatitis, is the flaking of the skin of the scalp. Everyone sheds skin from every part of their body on a daily basis, but when dandruff occurs, the flaking is more accelerated and therefore, more visible. The white flakes that fall from your hair can be itchy or they may not bother you at all. Dandruff can affect kids as well as adults. Home treatment can include a number of different approaches.
Timing
Dandruff in kids is not as widespread as in adults but children of all ages can be affected by the flaking skin condition. South Australia's Children, Youth and Women's Health Service explains that if a child is going to get dandruff, the most common time is at the onset of puberty. It is during this time that the sebaceous glands on the scalp increase their oil production. The small flakes of skin that shed normally may get caught in excessive oil and snowball into larger flakes, which becomes dandruff. Boys at this age may be more likely to develop dandruff than girls because their bodies produce more oil.
Home Treatments
Dandruff rarely requires medical attention and can be taken care of with home remedies most of the time. Over-the-counter medicated shampoos that contain salicylic acid or tea tree oil can help reduce inflammation on your child's scalp that can be contributing to the scaling and flaking of the skin. Exposing your child's head to some sun through normal outdoor activities may also be beneficial to clearing dandruff. Depending on your child's age and the specific products you choose to treat dandruff, you may need to help him wash his hair. Some products require a waiting period before rinsing, to ensure that the active ingredients have had an opportunity to penetrate the scalp.
Personal Hygiene Tips
Your child, especially during the teen years, may become obsessive about personal hygiene, including frequent hair washing and experimentation with a variety of styling products. Washing your hair too much may actually worsen dandruff; the frequent shampooing can dry out your scalp, leading to flakes and an increase in oil production. The build-up of hair products on the scalp can also contribute to dryness and flaking, particularly if the products contain alcohol. Encouraging your child to participate in a slightly less-vigorous hair care routine may help eliminate her dandruff.
The Diet Connection
Scalp health and your child's diet are intertwined, just as a healthy diet keeps the rest of the body functioning normally. London's Great Ormond Street Hospital's Kids First for Health service explains that eating foods rich in vitamins C and E can be beneficial for scalp health and may minimize dandruff. Citrus fruits, broccoli and spinach are good sources of vitamin C; vitamin E can be found in olives, blueberries, sunflower seeds and almonds. Whole grains and other foods rich in vitamin B may also help stop the flaking and itching of dandruff; serve your child salads and eggs as part of a healthy meal.
The Embarrassment Factor
Dandruff can be embarrassing, no matter what your age. Kids who are just beginning to form a clear picture of themselves and the type of person they want to project to others, may be mortified when they have what they see as a physical imperfection. Parents should be understanding of the situation and offer their child as much support--whether it's in the form of dandruff shampoos or hats to wear to cover their hair--or emotional support as possible. Stress can be a trigger for dandruff; keeping your child's stress level low can only be beneficial when dealing with dandruff.
