A little bit of dry skin on your child's scalp is no cause for concern, but when dandruff is so heavy it sends a dusting of white powder all over her shoulders, it's time to consult a doctor. Heavy dandruff is usually treatable with over-the-counter or prescription medicated shampoos. However, in rare cases, a dry, itchy scalp may be caused by a more serious medical condition like ringworm. Talk to your child's doctor before making any changes in her bathing routine or using any products to reduce dandruff.
Causes
Dandruff that looks like white, flaky skin on the scalp and in the hair may be caused by dry skin, infrequent shampooing, an allergy to hair products, or skin conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis, eczema and malassezia. Seborrheic dermatitis causes red, oily skin with scaly patches of yellow or white skin. Eczema is dry, irritated skin that may also affect other areas of the body, like the arms and legs. Malassezia is an overgrowth of yeast on the scalp, which creates white flakes in the scalp.
Home Remedies
Use a gentle shampoo once a day as a first line of defense against dandruff, especially if your child has an oily scalp. Avoid using strongly scented or harsh shampoos -- they might further irritate the scalp. Allow your child to spend 15 minutes a day outdoors and allow the sun to hit her scalp, but make sure she wears sunscreen. A small amount of sun exposure may eliminate your child's dandruff, but the exposure to the UV light also increases her risk of developing skin cancer. Monitor your child closely and do not encourage her to sunbathe.
Over-the-Counter Care
If home remedies are ineffective, purchase two or three different types of over-the-counter medicated dandruff shampoos and rotate them until you find one that works for your child. Types of over-the-counter shampoos include selenium sulfide, tar shampoos, zinc pyrithione shampoos and sulfur shampoo. Zinc pyrithione, for example, is effective in treating malassezia, but may not be as effective at treating dandruff caused by dry skin.
Prescription Products
If your child's heavy dandruff cannot be controlled with over-the-counter shampoos, her pediatrician might recommend a prescription-strength dandruff shampoo that contains a stronger concentrate of dandruff-fighting ingredients. He might treat malassezia with prescription antifungal creams, lotions or shampoos. If other treatments are ineffective, steroid creams reduce some cases of stubborn dandruff.
Warning
In some cases, medicated dandruff shampoos cause an allergic reaction. If your child complains of stinging or itching, or you notice redness on your child's scalp, stop using the product immediately. If your child develops hives, a rash, or experiences trouble breathing, take her to the emergency room immediately.
