Treatment for Dandruff in Kids

You've discovered that your kid has dandruff. As unattractive as that may be, at least it's not head lice, which can be pretty difficult to treat. Here's what you need to do to get rid of the flakes.

Check it Out

First, take your child to see your health care practitioner. Dandruff is one form of scaly skin conditions known as eczema. Since there are other forms that may resemble dandruff, it might be a good idea to consult a dermatologist, according to Medicine Net.com. The vast majority of cases, however, turn out to be seborrheic dermatitis, also known as dandruff. While you're getting the diagnosis, advise your child to not scratch if the scalp is itchy because scratching may worsen the symptoms or break the skin.

The First Line of Treatment

Treatment is usually two-fold. The first goal is to reduce the skin inflammation that contributes to the condition. The second is to fight yeast. Although dandruff is not a yeast infection, yeast is a fungus that sometimes builds up on scaly areas of seborrhea, according to Medicine Net.com.

There are a number of over-the-counter treatments you can try. First, there are medicated shampoos that you can buy without a prescription. Shampoos that are recommended by Medicine Net.com should contain one of the following ingredients: zinc pyrithione (ZPT), coal tar, salicylic acid, selenium sulfide or ketoconazole.

These shampoos are usually safe to use up to several times a week, depending on how severe your child's symptoms are. But always check first with your pharmacist or health practitioner on how often to use the product, even if it's non-prescription.

If the dandruff clears up, go back to non-medicated shampoos. Sometimes one shampoo will work for a while and will then stop working. In that case, switch to another or alternate two different types, according to Medicine Net.com.

Beyond Shampoo

Sometimes no shampoo will do the trick, so you may have to try some over-the-counter-creams and lotions that target the dandruff problem more directly.

The first cream that may help is a cortisone scalp lotion in either .05 percent or 1 percent concentration that should help reduce the inflammation. Apply it once a day when the hair is damp after shampooing. You can even combine a cortisone cream or lotion with medicated shampoos for dandruff, according to Medicine Net.com.

Another cream that aids in banishing dandruff is an antifungal cream (1 percent clotrimazole cream and miconazole cream 2 percent). These creams, which should be applied to the scalp once or twice a day, help reduce the yeast organisms living on the affected area. Use the creams until the dandruff subsides. You can use them again if the condition recurs.

If these over-the-counter anti-dandruff products don't work, or stop being effective, you may want to consult a dermatologist who can prescribe a mild steroid, hydrocortisone, or a more powerful anti-fungal cream to use temporarily to get rid of severe symptoms.

Source:
Medicine Net.com
Associated with WebMD.com