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Scalp Irritations on Kids

Eczema, psoriasis and pest infestations are just some of the myriad reasons why a kid may suddenly start scratching at his scalp or complaining of an irritation. If your child suddenly develops an itchy or irritated scalp, look over his head carefully to see if you can find the source of the problem, so that you can adequately describe it to a doctor and then seek treatment.

  1. Eczema

    • If your child's scalp is itchy and flaky, he may be suffering from eczema of the scalp, which is also known as seborrheic eczema or seborrheic dermatitis. One of the symptoms of this type of scalp irritation is dandruff. Other symptoms include greasy, scaly patches that may ooze or weep. In babies, seborrheic eczema is known as cradle cap, and it presents as crusty, scaly skin on the scalp. Eczema on the scalp is very itchy and irritating to a child.

    Head Lice

    • Head lice are a troublesome pest that can infest a child's hair. As these lice feed on blood from the child's scalp, their saliva, which they use to prevent blood clotting, can cause a lot of itching and irritation. Children who have head lice will scratch and complain of itchiness. If a parent suspects lice and carefully inspects the child's scalp, she may be able to find adult lice or its nits, which are the eggs of the lice, clinging to the hair.

    Illness Rashes and Ringworm

    • In some illnesses, such as chickenpox and measles, a rash may occur. Often these rashes can be found on the scalp, as well as the body. In the cases of chickenpox and measles, the child will typically have a fever and feel quite ill, in addition to having a irritating rash. Ringworm, which is a fungal infection, can attack a child's scalp. The infection appears as crusty scales on the child's scalp, and it is contagious.

    Scalp Psoriasis

    • Psoriasis on the scalp looks very similar to seborrheic dermatitis or seborrheic eczema. Both conditions can make the child's scalp very itchy and both appear as red and scaly patches. However, psoriasis patches typically have a silvery scale on top of them, while eczema's scales tend to be more yellowish or white in nature. Another difference is that seborrheic dermatitis tends to stay within the hairline, while psoriasis can often be found on other parts of the body.

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