What to do if a child has dandruff, the most effective treatment methods

What is dandruff

Dandruff is dead epidermal cells that have accumulated on the surface of the skin. The main reason for the problem is an imbalance in the production of sebaceous secretions, accelerated division of epidermal cells , as a result they accumulate, causing a lot of inconvenience to the child.

Experts distinguish two main types of dandruff:

• Dry. Dandruff flakes are white, small in size, and crumble at the slightest contact. It appears due to the slow functioning of the sebaceous glands.
• Fat. Dandruff flakes have a yellowish tint, are sticky, and stick together into large flakes. Oily dandruff seems to stick to the hair, making it more difficult to get rid of. The problem appears due to increased secretion production from the sebaceous glands.

A separate group identified yellow tubular dandruff in infants. There will not be any particular difficulties in treating the problem; a little attention to the baby and strict adherence to the recommendations of the attending physician are required.

Important! When combing your hair, some dandruff flakes leave the skin and fall on your shoulders and floor. But it is impossible to get rid of dandruff by combing alone; targeted complex therapy and a strict diet are required.

What to do?

treated immediately . It can be general and local . General therapy consists of providing a balanced diet to the child.
It is also necessary to normalize the performance of all systems and organs. This requires timely treatment of various pathological processes in the baby’s body. The child must follow a daily routine. ATTENTION! General treatment quite often requires the use of homeopathic medicines, which must be taken as prescribed by a doctor. Local treatment consists of the use of appropriate medications, the action of which is aimed at eliminating white scales:

• vegetable oils;
• medicated shampoos;
• folk remedies;
• hydrolate;
• head massage;
• sulsen soap;
• masks.

The choice of a specific medication should be made by a doctor in accordance with the individual and age characteristics of the child.

Symptoms of the problem developing

Symptoms of dry dandruff:

• hair becomes brittle, brittle, split ends;
• itching and discomfort appear;
• dry, irritable skin;
• redness of the skin;
• Small, white specks of dust can be seen among the hair.

Oily dandruff manifests itself as follows:

• hair quickly becomes oily, looks dirty and unkempt;
• yellowish, large flakes are observed in the root area;
• itchy head;
• wounds and suppuration are formed.

Any type of dandruff is accompanied by itching. The mother’s task is to quickly respond to the problem and begin its treatment immediately so that the child does not have time to scratch the skin. This threatens the formation of wounds and their suppuration.

Causes of occurrence in children

In a newborn baby

In an infant, dandruff looks special. These are seborrheic crusts of light yellow color, they are usually located in the upper area of ​​the head, behind the ears, in the fontanel area. When combing, their integrity is disrupted; separated scales linger in the newborn’s hair and resemble dandruff.

If seborrheic “islands” are not treated, the problem will spread further, crusts will appear on the ears and in the groin area. The complex stage of the disease is called “seborrheic eczema”.

There are several reasons for the appearance of seborrheic crust in newborns:

• the delicate skin of a child is vulnerable to external factors and infection attacks;
• during pregnancy, the mother had metabolic problems, which affected the development of the fetus;
• The sebaceous glands of a newborn are not fully developed; it takes time to stabilize their work;
• cosmetic products (shampoos, foams, soaps) are not suitable for the baby;
• reaction to new foods in the diet of a nursing mother or when introducing complementary foods;
• lack of vitamins and minerals in the child’s body, especially B vitamins;
• the indoor microclimate is not suitable for the baby (high humidity, hot);
• The baby is constantly wearing a cap, the skin does not breathe and sweats.

The body of a newborn baby reacts sensitively to any changes in climate, cosmetic skin care products, changes in the mother’s diet and foods introduced as complementary foods. Such changes are reflected in the condition of the baby’s skin.

In children from one to 10 years old

In the second year, the child has mastered many tastes, the sebaceous glands are sufficiently developed, but dandruff appears? Causes of dandruff in children aged 1 to 10 years:

• improper care, shampoo, soap selected inappropriately;
• unbalanced, poor nutrition, accompanying a lack of vitamins in the body, disruptions in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
• Dandruff in a 7–9 year old child appears due to skin diseases. Frequent culprits of flakes in the hair are seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis;
• a 5-year-old child may develop dandruff after pediculosis or helminthic infestation;
• allergies to food, drugs, and care products can cause defects at any age; mothers are advised to take the body’s sensitivity more seriously;
• Entering kindergarten or school is accompanied by nervous disorders and stress, and the risk of developing the disease increases. Experts note a surge in the development of dandruff against the background of emotional stress in children aged 2–3, 6–8 years;
• diseases of the endocrine, digestive and nervous systems of the body cause disruption in the functioning of the sebaceous and sweat glands.

Attention! Do not miss the fact that a child can become infected after contact with a sick person, through a comb, a hat, or personal belongings. Fungal skin infections do not go away on their own, so treatment should not be delayed.

In teenagers

Dandruff in teenagers is often caused by:

• changes in hormonal levels during puberty;
• metabolic disorders;
• allergic reaction to food, cosmetic products, medications;
• stress, emotional breakdowns;
• diseases of the endocrine system;
• infection with fungal infections after contact with a sick person or animal;
• sores, scabs on the skin;
• lack of vitamins and minerals in the body; in adolescence, the child grows quickly and requires more nutritional components;
• low immunity, especially after illnesses.

At the age of 11–14 years, girls think about their own appearance and begin to use styling products, curling irons, and flat irons. Such actions affect the condition of the skin; lack of proper care contributes to dry skin and the development of dandruff in adolescents.

Why does dandruff occur?

Usually the skin on the head is renewed within 26-28 days. But sometimes cells, not having time to mature, die. This phenomenon is called hyperkeratosis. In this case, small white scales are formed - dandruff. There may be several reasons for such a failure. How

As a rule, this is the active reproduction of fungi Pityrosporum Ovale, which live on the skin of every person and, under certain conditions, begin to actively colonize the scalp. Incentives for their activation can be:

• nervous overstrain (spasm of skin vessels disrupts the nutrition of hair follicles);
• overheating (especially important for infants if the cap is put on even when it’s warm);
• disruption of the gastrointestinal tract;
• metabolic disease;
• unbalanced diet (deficiency of vitamin A and vitamins B, E, fiber);
• seborrhea;
• frequent use of a hairdryer (skin becomes dry);
• incorrect selection of shampoo;
• incorrect hair washing technique (no need to disturb the hair too much with active chaotic movements);
• too hot water when washing hair (can cause hyperactivity of the sebaceous glands).

It is often very difficult to give a definite answer regarding the exact cause of dandruff. We can definitely say that the hereditary factor plays an important role.

Treatment of dandruff in a child

Dandruff in children is no less troublesome than in adults. The coordinated actions of parents, compliance with the requirements of specialists, and changes in diet and lifestyle will quickly help remove the unpleasant “snow.”

If you notice a problem in your hair, contact a specialist. He will conduct a detailed examination of the integument; be prepared for additional diagnostics and some tests. This is necessary to identify the exact cause of the problem.

Having established a diagnosis, the doctor prescribes treatment. It involves drug therapy, special hair care using medicinal cosmetics and natural remedies, and a special diet. Let's take a closer look at how to remove dandruff from a child using various methods.

How to remove scabs from a newborn

Treating dandruff in a child under one year old (crusts) is simple. Apply a little vegetable oil to the affected areas.

After some time (about 2 hours), when the crusts have softened, use a soft brush to remove them from the child’s head. Particular care should be taken on the top of the head, in the area of ​​the fontanel.

Rinse your child's hair thoroughly so that no oil remains, which can cause the crust to reappear.

Advice. If the crust is very hard, it will take longer to soften. To do this, the affected areas are treated with oil and left overnight, and washed off in the morning.

Treatment with special drugs

You can cure dandruff in a child with the help of medicinal ointments, pastes, shampoos, and soaps. Modern pharmaceuticals offer a wide selection of medications to eliminate the problem; they instantly relieve itching, which significantly alleviates the patient’s condition. Regardless of the patient’s age, perform an allergy test the first time you use the product. Let's consider popular drugs, anti-dandruff shampoos.

Shampoo, cream "Nizoral".

The active ingredient is ketoconazole, it effectively eliminates the problem of dandruff in children, adolescents, and adults. Nizoral is used even for infants, the only condition is to avoid contact with the eyes, mouth, and nose.

External use. You need to wash your hair with Nizoral shampoo 1-2 times a week. The course of treatment is 2–4 weeks, taking into account the individual characteristics of the body.

Cream "Nizoral"

Apply an even layer to problem areas up to 2 times a day. Treatment is carried out until the symptoms of the disease are completely eliminated. The cost of Nizoral shampoo is 750 rubles, cream - 500 rubles.

Please note that there is a large selection of Nizoral analogues - Perhotal, Dermazol, Dermazol plus, Kenazol, Ebersept. They also contain ketoconazole and are cheaper.

Soap, mask, paste, Sulsena shampoo

Suitable for combating dandruff in boys and girls. The preparations contain 2.5% sulene disulfide, it has a general strengthening effect on the hair, relieves itching, and increases the protection of the hair follicle from external aggressive factors.

Apply externally once a week for dry dandruff, 2 times for oily dandruff. Sulsena preparations are applied to clean skin for 15 minutes, then the remaining product is washed off. In addition to the quick recovery, users are pleased with the price of the product (shampoo paste 40 ml will cost between 80–90 rubles).

Shampoo "Friederm Zinc"

The active ingredient is zinc pyrithione (2%). The drug has high antimicrobial and antifungal properties, it slows down the activity of harmful fungi and microorganisms, and prevents the problem from becoming more complicated.

The product is suitable for children, adults and pregnant women. Contraindications include individual intolerance to the components of the drug.

A little shampoo is distributed onto moistened hair and foamed. After 5 minutes, wash off the product with plenty of water. For the first 2 weeks, it is recommended to use shampoo every 3-4 days. In the future, it can be used once a week. The course of therapy is 1–1.5 months.

The cost of Friederm Zinc shampoo is 690 rubles. Reviews about the product are positive; it is a safe, effective shampoo for any age.

Traditional methods

Chemical compounds can provoke allergies and rashes in children, so parents resort to treatment with folk remedies. If no serious health problems have been identified that triggered the development of dandruff, drug treatment can be postponed.

Diet, calmness, and simple home procedures will come to the rescue.

The following recommendations will help you cure dandruff in children without special medications:

1. Rinsing with decoctions of medicinal herbs (calendula, chamomile, nettle) will be useful.
2. Add a few drops of tea tree to your regular shampoo; it perfectly soothes, tones the skin, relieves inflammation, and prevents the development of the problem.
3. A therapeutic mask made from castor oil, almond oil, and grape seed extract will speed up the child’s recovery. Apply the mixture to problem areas before washing your hair.
4. Rinse your hair with onion peel infusion. Blonde beauties should be careful with this folk remedy; light hair will acquire a reddish, reddish tint.

Complex therapy

The primary task in combating the problem is to eliminate the cause of dandruff, therefore, in combination with drug treatment, special attention is paid to the child’s nutrition.

Experts recommend following a strict diet to prevent the problem from occurring in the future. Basic rules for its compilation:

• give up sweets, fatty foods, smoked foods, foods with preservatives, harmful food additives;
• forget about fast food, chips, crackers, carbonated drinks;
• focus on healthy, vitamin-rich foods, add fruits and fresh vegetable salads to your diet;
• Replace black tea and coffee with dried fruit compote and fresh juices;
• The way the food is prepared matters. For example, frying should be replaced by steaming and short stewing;
• requires plenty of fluids.

The diet is selected individually, taking into account the cause of the disease and the characteristics of the patient’s body. Entrust the preparation of your diet to a nutritionist.

Advice. Consult your doctor to prescribe a complex of vitamins and microelements. For active teenagers, this is an excellent way to strengthen the immune system and prevent the development of various diseases.

Methods for treating and preventing infantile seborrhea

Your main friends in this matter are a dermatologist and trichologist (specialists in skin and hair diseases, respectively), who can be recommended by your pediatrician. They will advise you on the most effective ways to combat dandruff, among which we highlight the following:

• Essential and aromatic oils and other natural products. Components of plants such as chamomile, sea buckthorn, jasmine, almond, lavender, tea tree, thyme, mint, and nettle have a beneficial effect on the scalp. [1][4]
• Medicinal anti-dandruff shampoos. They suppress the activity of the pathogenic fungus Malassezia, which naturally leads to the gradual disappearance of dandruff and itching, which always accompany seborrhea. Shampoos that contain components such as ichthyol, zinc pyrithione, some oils and nettle extract show good results. Ichthyol helps get rid of itching and has an antimicrobial effect, zinc pyrithione fights directly against fungus, and oils (for example, tea tree or olive oil) and nettle extract help to establish proper skin nutrition and fight increased oiliness. [4] And one of the most effective drugs for combating seborrhea is ketoconazole, which destroys Malassezia colonies and reduces the likelihood of relapses.[11]
• Vitamin complexes and good nutrition. A child’s daily diet should include foods such as greens, vegetables and fruits, fish and meat, brown bread, dried fruits, and nuts. [1]
• Daily 9-hour sleep and walks in the fresh air. At the same time, it is recommended to walk in parks with a large number of coniferous trees, since the needles contain phytoncides - substances that have a pronounced antibacterial effect. [1]
• Compliance with personal hygiene rules. It is not known for sure whether seborrhea is an infectious disease, but this does not mean that you can let others wear their own hat or comb their hair with their own comb. By explaining to your child why you shouldn’t lend your hat and personal hygiene items to friends, you will protect him from much more dangerous diseases than seborrhea. Also, be sure to regularly disinfect your hairbrush and wash your hats.[1]

Prevention

It happens that the treatment was carried out, the problem was eliminated, but the unpleasant flakes reappeared. Why does relapse occur? The answer is simple - the cause has not been fully eliminated or the hair care is incorrect.

To prevent dandruff in children and adolescents 12 years of age you will need:

• correction of the child’s nutrition and lifestyle;
• use only your own comb, towel, hat;
• refusal to wash children's hair with adult shampoo, use cosmetics appropriate for the age category;
• do not allow the child to become overtired, take care of his emotional calm;
• in winter and autumn, give children multivitamin complexes.

For preventive purposes, medicated shampoos are used. They are used once every 1–2 weeks.

FAQ

Is dandruff inherited?

Yes. Some animal studies have shown a genetic predisposition to scalp flaking. However, more research is needed to establish the same in humans (3) .

Does poor hygiene cause dandruff in babies?

Infrequently washing your baby's hair and scalp with shampoo leads to excessive accumulation of dead skin cells. This can eventually lead to flaking of the skin (17).

Can I use anti-dandruff shampoo for babies?

Yes, you can use anti-dandruff shampoo made specifically for babies. However, it is best to consult your doctor before using any over-the-counter products on your baby.

Dandruff is not a disease. This can happen for various reasons and can also be treated. Maintain good hygiene and use good quality mild shampoos for your baby. However, if you notice dandruff on your baby's head, consult your pediatrician for a solution. Do not use home remedies or medications without your pediatrician's advice.

Sources:

1. Scalp diseases;
National Library of Medicine 2. What is dandruff; Northwestern Medicine 3. Louis J. Borda and Tongue K. Wikramanayake, Seborrheic dermatitis and scalp flaking: a comprehensive review; National Library of Medicine 4. Seborrheic dermatitis in children; National Eczema Association 5. Take a natural approach to combating dandruff and dry scalp; Bastyr University 6. dandruff; University of Michigan 7. flaking scalp; South Australian Government 8. Home Remedies for Flaky Scalp ; Jamaica Hospital Medical Center 9. Healthy Hair Care Tips with Natural Remedies for Long, Strong and Shiny Hair ; AK Clinic Organization 10. Satchell AS, Saurajan A, Bell S, Barnetson RS, Treatment of flaky scalp with 5% tea tree oil shampoo; Journal of the Academy of Dermatology 11. Preclinical and clinical studies demonstrate that the proprietary botanical extract DA-5512 effectively stimulates hair growth and promotes healthy hair; Hindu Magazine 12. How to get rid of flaky scalp: causes, treatment and home remedies; Organization of AK Clinic 13. Chaisripipat, Laurit, Kanlayavattanakul, Anti-dandruff hair tonic containing lemongrass oil (Cymbopogon flexuosus). ; 14. Shampoo with salicylic acid; Nationwide Children's Hospital 15. flaking scalp; Brenner Children's 16. Clinical tool for the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis; University of Wisconsin-Madison 17. Causes and diagnosis of dandruff; Northwestern Medicine Explore Next: Meningitis in Children

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Possible complications

Violation of the rules for using medications, delaying treatment, and incorrectly prescribed therapy contribute to the development of unpleasant complications:

• allergic rashes, irritability of the skin;
• severe hair loss, baldness;
• the appearance of crusts and scabs on the skin;
• large-scale damage to the integument by fungi, bacteria, problem areas can be seen on the hands, face and body.

Children are characterized by mobility and susceptibility to dermatological diseases. The task of parents is to protect them as much as possible from attacks of harmful infections, start treatment in a timely manner, and prevent relapse in the future. Remember, dandruff is a signal of a malfunction in the body that requires attention and appropriate treatment, otherwise harmless “snow” in the hair will result in a complex problem.

What happens if dandruff is not treated?

Often people choose to refuse treatment because it is difficult. Some people are lucky and simply wash the flakes out of their hair using regular shampoos, which lasts for a couple of days. But this approach can lead to complications, infection or rapid hair loss, as well as scarring. You can find out about Aleran anti-dandruff shampoo here.