What is dandruff?
Dandruff is normal shedding of skin. On most of the body
surface, the flakes of dead skin fall to the ground without
notice, but they can accumulate in the hair. This is a
normal process that occurs throughout life on the entire
body. It is not contagious.
How can I take care of my child?
Daily shampooing
The key to fighting dandruff is removing the flakes as
fast as they form by washing the hair daily. A regular
shampoo usually works very well. Brush your child's hair
before each washing. Eventually, you may be able to wash
your child's hair every other day without seeing
dandruff, but you probably won't ever be able to wash it
less often than that.
Antidandruff shampoos
If the scalp is red and irritated or the scales are quite
greasy, use a medicated shampoo (one containing selenium
sulfide). These medicated shampoos not only remove the
dandruff but also cut down on the rate of shedding.
Ask your child's pediatrician what medicated shampoo he or
she recommends for your child. Usually, this
type of shampoo is used in a special way: lather the
hair, wait 3 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Do this
3 days in a row and then once a week. Use a regular nonmedicated shampoo on other days.
When should I call my child's health care provider?
Call during office hours if:
