6 Amazing Ways To Get Rid Of Dandruff In Babies

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B a b i e s have s o f t skin a n d scalp w h e n they a r e born. T h i s tenderness r e m a i n s for a b o u t a y e a r . Meanw h i l e , if y o u see f l a k e s or d a n d r u f f on b a b y ’ s s c a l p , it m a y bother y o u . But, t h e r e is n o need t o panic! E v e n though d a n d r u f f is u n c o m m o n in b a b i e s , it i s harmless a n d simple r e m e d i e s can a d d r e s s this i s s u e . MomJunction h e l p s you k n o w the c a u s e s and w a y s to t r e a t the d a n d r u f f problem i n babies.

C a u s e s For D a n d r u f f In B a b i e s

D a n d r u f f is a mild o r un-inflamed f o r m of s e b o r r h e i c dermatitis o r seborrhea. I t is r a r e in b a b i e s and m o s t l y shows u p during p u b e r t y . It w o u l d be a t its p e a k during t e e n a g e and d e c r e a s e s in a d u l t h o o d . Many t i m e s , it c o u l d be a n indication o f poor h y g i e n e .

T h e main c a u s e s of d a n d r u f f in b a b i e s include a n overproduction o f sebum o r skin o i l , or o v e r g r o w t h of a fungus c a l l e d Malassezia, w h i c h may c a u s e the s k i n cells o n the s c a l p to s h e d quickly. I n this c a s e , you m a y notice g r a y or w h i t e flakes o n your b a b y ’ s head (1).

S i g n s Of D a n d r u f f In B a b i e s

A r e The S c a l e s On B a b y ’ s Head O n l y Due T o Dandruff?

S c a l e s on b a b y ’ s head o r body m a y not b e due d a n d r u f f always! I f the s k i n on y o u r baby’s s c a l p is s c a l i n g and f l a k i n g , it m a y be d u e to m a n y reasons o t h e r than d a n d r u f f , such a s :

S u n b u r n on t h e scalp: – This r i s k can b e avoided b y limiting y o u r baby’s e x p o s u r e to t h e sun o r having h i m wear a hat.

U s i n g excess s h a m p o o and n o t rinsing w e l l during a wash: – The d r i e d shampoo c a n show u p like f l a k e s and m a y resemble d a n d r u f f . This c a n be a v o i d e d by s p e n d i n g more t i m e in r i n s i n g than l a t h e r i n g and u s i n g a d i m e – s i z e dollop o f shampoo.

S h a m p o o i n g less o f t e n causes o i l s and s k i n cells t o accumulate o n the s c a l p , thereby g i v i n g the f l a k y structure.

E c z e m a or p s o r i a s i s may c a u s e scaling, b y making t h e skin d r y . The c o l d , dry w i n t e r air m a y also c a u s e flakes.

C r a d l e cap i s another c a u s e in b a b i e s less t h a n one-year-old ( 2 ) .

R i n g w o r m , caused b y a f u n g u s , may a l s o be a reason f o r flaking a n d hair l o s s in b a b i e s .

L i c e cause s c r a t c h i n g , itching, a n d flaking, t h o u g h it i s not v e r y common i n babies.

I t is i m p o r t a n t to r u l e out t h e cause f o r flaking t o proceed w i t h the r i g h t dandruff t r e a t m e n t for b a b i e s . Visit y o u r doctor f o r assistance i f you s u s p e c t that y o u r little o n e has d a n d r u f f . Do n o t delay i f the b a b y itches a lot a n d has i t c h y scales, r e d areas, a n d oozing i n the s c a l p . In s e v e r e cases o f eczema, c r a d l e cap, a n d ringworm, t h e baby’s d o c t o r may s u g g e s t medication t o get r i d of a n y fungal i n f e c t i o n .

H o w To G e t Rid O f Baby D a n d r u f f ?

O n c e it i s confirmed t h a t your b a b y has d a n d r u f f , follow t h e s e steps t o get r i d of i t .

B r u s h the b a b y ’ s dry h a i r to r e m o v e large a n d visible f l a k e s of d a n d r u f f before s h a m p o o i n g .

U s e a r e g u l a r baby s h a m p o o to w a s h the b a b y ’ s hair e v e r y day. M i l d dandruff c a n be e a s i l y removed t h i s way.

F o r severe d a n d r u f f , use m e d i c a t e d dandruff s h a m p o o recommended b y a p a e d i a t r i c i a n . Use o n c e or t w i c e a w e e k depending o n the s e v e r i t y of d a n d r u f f and d o c t o r ’ s prescription.

W h e n washing t h e baby’s h a i r , gently u s e fingers t o massage t h e scalp a n d build a good l a t h e r . Rinse w i t h water t h o r o u g h l y . Do n o t use a n y conditioners.

P a t – d r y the b a b y ’ s head w i t h a t o w e l .

I f the b a b y is p r o n e to d a n d r u f f , then y o u must m a i n t a i n the n o r m a l pH o f the s c a l p , and a n oil-free s c a l p mostly a d d r e s s e s the p r o b l e m .

T h e doctor m a y prescribe a n t i – f u n g a l scalp l o t i o n or c r e a m for t h e baby.

FAQs

1 . Is d a n d r u f f contagious?

D a n d r u f f that c a u s e s yellowish o r white f l a k y skin i s not d a n g e r o u s or c o n t a g i o u s , but c a n be u n s i g h t l y and i t c h y .

2 . What i s cradle c a p ? How i s it d i f f e r e n t from d a n d r u f f in b a b i e s ?

T h e dry s c a l y scalp i s referred t o as c r a d l e cap o r infantile s e b o r r h e i c dermatitis. I t is e x t r e m e l y common i n babies a g e d more t h a n three m o n t h s (3). C r a d l e cap c a n cause d a n d r u f f as t h e skin f l a k e s off b e s i d e s showing y e l l o w i s h crusty p a t c h e s on t h e scalp. According t o the A m e r i c a n Association o f Pediatrics, t h e problem c a n be o u t g r o w n by m o s t babies o r can b e treated u s i n g olive o i l as i t s hydrating p r o p e r t i e s act a s a n a t u r a l remedy i n healing c r a d l e cap.

O n the b o t t o m line, m i l d dandruff i s manageable a t home w i t h simple r e m e d i e s . However, p e r s i s t e n t or s e v e r e forms o f psoriasis, e c z e m a , and c r a d l e cap r e q u i r e medical a t t e n t i o n . Making n o t e of t h e severity o f occurrence w i l l help y o u r doctor i n understanding t h e little o n e ’ s situation w e l l . Remember t h a t your l i t t l e one d e s e r v e s a h e a l t h y scalp, a n d you a r e in c h a r g e !

Y o u may l e a v e your c o m m e n t s and s h a r e experiences b e l o w .

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