How to Treat Childhood Dandruff

Itchy, flaky pieces of skin found throughout your child's scalp may simply be a case of dandruff, also known as seborrheic dermatitis. The severity of dandruff varies, as it can appear as little flakes or crusty, inflamed skin on the scalp. The treatment methods of seborrheic dermatitis are the same for children as they are for adults, and include using specially-formulated shampoos to rid the scalp of irritation and flakes. In severe cases of dandruff, take your child to a dermatologist to receive prescribed medication to treat this skin condition.

Things You'll Need

• Over-the-counter medicated shampoo
• Soft-bristled hair brush
• Mild daily shampoo

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Instructions

• 1

  Wet your child's hair with warm water until the hair is soaked. Part the hair into four sections using a vertical line from the crown to back of the neck, and a horizontal line from ear to ear.

• 2

  Dispense a handful of the medicated dandruff shampoo into the palm of your hand. Massage the shampoo through each section of the parted hair until a thick lather is formed. Allow the shampoo to sit in the hair for five to seven minutes.

• 3

  Rinse all of the shampoo from the hair, and re-apply a handful of shampoo onto the scalp and allow it to sit for up to five minutes. Limit shampoo treatments to one weekly wash if sensitivity occurs after using the shampoo twice in a row.

• 4

  Shampoo your child's hair daily with a mild shampoo to reduce oil build-up, which contributes to dandruff accumulation.

• 5

  Avoid scratching the affected area. Tell your child that scratching the itchy skin will only make it worse. Scratching increases the risk of infection because it can create lesions and bacteria can make its way into the wound, according to MedLine Plus.

• 6

  Avoid hair styling products. While your child's mane may be tough to tame, styling products that contain alcohol denat or other harsh chemicals produce oil build-up, which results in scalp irritation and dandruff.