Why does a two-month-old baby's scalp peel?

Peeling of the scalp in infants at 2-3 months

If the crusts on the head have no odor, there is no inflammation, this is considered normal.
Parents should not panic and sound the alarm if they see that the baby’s head is peeling - this is a natural phenomenon. An exception may be the case when dryness is accompanied by other alarming symptoms.

The child developed for nine months surrounded by liquid, and after birth found himself in an air space. His skin begins to gradually adapt to the new environment. Dryness is a peculiar reaction.

Also, crusts appear against the background of active work of the sebaceous gland. Infants have much more sebaceous secretions, as they have a protective function. Block the penetration of infections, harmful bacteria and various viruses. By the age of one year, the performance of the gland is normalized and the unpleasant symptoms disappear without a trace or consequences.

Types of dandruff

There are 3 main types of this symptom, but they are all caused by one factor – impaired scalp renewal. Dead cells do not have time to exfoliate and gather together, forming a pathology. There are:

1. Dry dandruff. This type is characterized by dehydrated scalp, redness, and itching. The hair at the roots is covered with white scales, thinning and cross-section of the hair is observed. The reason is insufficient sebum secretion.
2. Oily dandruff. Characterized by increased activity of the sebaceous glands. Large white or yellowish flakes appear. Your hair quickly becomes oily and your head itches.
3. Mixed. Combines both types. So, in one area there may be excessive sebum secretion, and in another there may be a lack of it. In this case, partial or complete baldness in certain areas is possible. You can find out about Aleran anti-dandruff shampoo here.

Dandruff plaques and sores

It all starts with a small rash, small lumps appear. In the absence of proper treatment, the problem takes on a complex form. Dandruff plaques and festering ulcers form, causing hair loss in the affected area.

On the temples

If a lot of dandruff appears on the temples and behind them, you need to first find out the reason. There can be many factors causing such a disease. If redness, rash and itching are added to the main symptom, we are talking about skin diseases. In this case, consultation with a specialist is necessary.

Itchy

This is one of the main symptoms accompanying dry dandruff. Thickened sebum and dead epithelial cells create ideal conditions for the spread of fungal infections. Severe itching causes sores to appear, but do not panic if your head itches along with the “snow” flakes.

Hair fall out

Sometimes hair begins to fall out along with dandruff. The cause may be oily or dry seborrhea. In the first case, the sebaceous ducts become clogged with fat, cellular respiration is disrupted, and the necessary nutrition is missing. As a result, the follicle withers and the rods die. In the second option, the skin suffers from poor hydration, so the hair becomes dry and falls out.

How to identify the pathogen

It is almost impossible not to notice peeling, but there are still certain criteria that help to accurately identify the problem. Symptoms that are considered normal:

• the presence of a white or yellow crust;
• absence of any odor;
• problem areas make you want to scratch;
• the flaked pieces of skin resemble dandruff.

If you have any disease, slight swelling and redness may appear. In some cases, ignoring the symptoms can lead to the crust moving from the head to other parts of the body. Situations like this require medical attention.

Features of the influence of external and internal factors

After bathing, the crusts are gradually combed out.
Various factors can provoke the appearance of dry crusts. It is worth considering each case separately. External reasons include:

• Detergents. Soap and other care products contain a high content of chemicals and alkali. These components negatively affect the skin and cause excessive dryness. You should not resort to washing with soap and shampoo every day.
• Increased sweating occurs due to excessive wrapping. The child sweats, the hair becomes damp, irritation and flaking appear.
• Sun rays in large quantities negatively affect the baby’s skin, causing burns, which are accompanied by peeling. At sea, during walks, you should avoid direct contact with the sun.
• Synthetic bedding is the main irritant to a child's delicate skin. Only products made from natural, undyed fabric are suitable for babies.
• Powders and conditioners used when washing children's clothes can remain in the fabric, they provoke the appearance of peeling. It is worth giving preference to high-quality detergents that are designed specifically for children.

To make the scales separate faster, use an oil gel or cream.
Dryness is often caused by other irritants, which are more difficult to identify. A newborn’s head peels for the following reasons:

• Allergy. The mother needs to carefully monitor her diet, as she has a physiological connection with the baby. While breastfeeding, do not consume potential allergens: citrus fruits, chocolate, bee honey and seafood, otherwise all this will immediately affect the baby’s skin.
• Individual intolerance to formula milk if the child is artificially fed. It’s worth trying a different brand, since the problem cannot be solved without removing the main irritant.
• Fungal diseases are very often accompanied by peeling, but the disease is rarely found in newborns; children from two years of age are more likely to experience it. The exception is congenital ichthyosis. Both problems require drug treatment.
• Intestinal problems and helminthiasis. With these pathologies, additional symptoms appear: redness, itching and rash.

Vitamin deficiency is also an internal cause of skin problems. This situation requires contacting a pediatrician. Giving vitamin complexes to a child on your own is strictly prohibited.

Child care checklist

• Bathe your baby in warm running water if it meets hygiene standards - this is stated in the recommendations of the Union of Pediatricians of Russia. That is, it is not necessary to boil the water at all.
• Bathing time for babies in the first month of life is 5-10 minutes. Long contact with water deprives the skin of its natural protective barrier.
• Choose detergents with a mild composition and a pH level (5.5) close to the physiological values ​​of the skin. Liquid bath products tend to be less irritating to the skin and wash off more easily than soap.
• Hypoallergenic moisturizers suitable from birth can be applied to your baby's skin. But it is better to minimize the use of any means.
• It is better to choose washing powders and fabric softeners without fragrances - babies have very sensitive skin.

Useful links: [1] verywellhealth: Why newborns' skin peels [2] Bathing a child (Moscow Regional Center for Public Health and Medical Prevention (MoCP) [3] Skin care for a newborn baby, 2021

Is it necessary to remove crusts from a baby's head?

If an infection gets into the skin, it is necessary to use antifungal ointments.
The crusts, as a rule, go away on their own by one year, so there is no need to do anything to eliminate them. According to pediatrician Komarovsky, measures should be taken in the following cases:

• suppuration forms;
• an unpleasant odor appears;
• a weeping surface is formed with the release of ichor;
• there is redness and swelling around the crust.

These symptoms indicate that an infection has penetrated the skin. These cases require contacting a clinic.

Treatment for peeling skin

Seborrheic dermatitis requires longer treatment.
Peeling needs to be treated if it is caused by any disease. All other cases do not need this; it is enough to carry out the treatment twice a day. You can use the old proven method:

• boil vegetable oil;
• cool it down;
• wipe problem areas on the head with a cotton pad soaked in oil.

The pharmacy has a wide selection of cosmetic mixtures for treating peeling skin. You can choose the oil taking into account your skin characteristics and individual intolerances.

Prevention of flaking of the scalp in infants

Preventive measures include strict adherence to the rules of hygiene and care.

• Do not use regular soap or gel for adults when bathing a newborn. It is better to use baby soap; it does not contain irritants or other substances dangerous to the baby.
• Water is pre-cleaned from chlorine, this is done by boiling, filtering or settling for several days. It is recommended to add herbal infusions as an emollient.
• After bathing, the head and body are dried with a soft towel, and the skin is treated with baby powder or special oil. If there is peeling on the baby's head, the crusts are combed out; for this you will need a soft brush without sharp metal teeth.

It is important to maintain a microclimate in the children's room that is comfortable for a newborn to live in. The temperature should be between 20-22 degrees, optimal humidity from 50 to 70%.

How to treat dandruff in a child: a review of remedies

If the cause of dandruff in children is a malfunction of the sebaceous glands, first of all, it is necessary:

• Balance your diet. Include foods rich in amino acids, vitamins and essential microelements in your diet. In this case, it is advisable to exclude spicy foods and limit the consumption of sweets.
• Organize your daily routine. Take daily walks with your baby and provide him with healthy sleep - at least 8 hours a day.
• Normalize the functioning of the nervous system. To increase the body's resistance, give your baby tinctures of lemongrass, motherwort or aralia.
• Choose an anti-dandruff shampoo. Depending on the age and hair type of the baby, choose a medicated shampoo that normalizes sebum secretion.

Treatment of seborrhea in newborns

As a rule, mild dermatitis in an infant occurs due to non-compliance with hygiene rules, so in this case you can do without drug treatment and the use of medicated shampoos.

How to get rid of dandruff in a small infant?

• Purchase sterile olive or vegetable oil;
• Lubricate the baby's head with heated oil;
• After two hours, wash off the oil and pat your head dry with a towel.

In addition, it is advisable that the baby has her own comb made from natural materials. And from the age of 1 year, for the treatment of seborrhea, you can purchase a hypoallergenic shampoo at the pharmacy, which contains antifungal substances. But before using the product, it is still better to consult a doctor.

Treatment of seborrhea at the age of 6-7 years

When fighting dandruff in newborn children, you cannot use drugs with active ingredients, but from the age of 6 years, the skin becomes less sensitive to synthetic substances, so for treatment you can use special products for the care of problem hair.

Trichologists recommend using the following methods to get rid of seborrhea when treating dandruff in a 6-7 year old child:

• Medicinal shampoos. The composition includes ketoconazole and antifungal components. Thanks to such shampoos, it is possible to cope with yeast fungus, severe itching and flaking;
• Burr oil. For dry scalp, it is advisable to use oils with a high content of fatty acids (burdock, castor, olive, vegetable);
• Tar care products. Such shampoos include extracts of plant origin (birch, pine), which are inherently hypoallergenic and help normalize the functioning of the sebaceous glands.

Traditional Treatments

As already noted, washing hair with seborrhea shampoos is not suitable for children of all ages. Let's look at traditional methods of treatment.

Folk remedies for dandruff in children of different ages include:

• Masks. For oily hair, you can use masks based on ground currants and cherries, nettles and St. John's wort. The prepared compositions are applied to the head and washed off after about 30-40 minutes. Such procedures are performed no more often than once every 2 days;
• Decoctions. Healing decoctions prepared from chamomile, calendula, yarrow or lavender are used as rinses after shampooing;
• Infusions. Solutions prepared from chamomile, onion peel or nettle are used as rinses. They can be used for seborrhea in children of all ages;
• Vegetable oils. Cedar, flaxseed, burdock and sesame oils are rubbed into the head a couple of hours before washing the hair. Thanks to this procedure, you can very quickly get rid of scales in a baby under the age of 1 year.

Dandruff is not only a cosmetic problem, so it must be combated. Sometimes such trouble indicates the presence of more serious problems associated with disturbances in the functioning of the endocrine system. Therefore, if a disease is detected, you should consult a specialist.