Dandruff rarely attacks children. It actually starts appearing in puberty. However, it can be present in some children. If your child complains of an itchy scalp or her hair starts falling off, she probably has dandruff.
However much you clean the hair, dandruff can be a nagging problem and can affect a child’s confidence.
Dandruff is not common in children, and as such, it is important to monitor the condition. If accompanied by scales, hair loss, swollen glands or oozing, consult a doctor as these could be signs of serious medical conditions such as ringworm, psoriasis or eczema.
In most cases, however, dandruff in children does not signal a serious medical problem and can be remedied at home. Here is how:
Brush:
Before you wash the hair, brush it thoroughly to remove all the dead skin flakes and make it easier for the shampoo to work on the scalp.
Medicated shampoo:
Use a shampoo that has Salicylic acid or tar twice a week. This allows the medication to work on the scalp and reduce the scaling. A doctor will help you in deciding what shampoo to use.
Alternate shampoo:
When you are not using medicated shampoo on your child’s hair, use regular mild shampoo to ensure the hair does not develop build-up and stays clean.
Conditioner:
Say no to conditioner as this is likely to leave behind a residue which worsens the dandruff symptoms.
Stress:
Sounds negligible but it is important that you eliminate stress from a child’s life. Stress can provoke dandruff. Be there for your child.
Other home remedies:
• Lemon keeps dandruff at bay because of its abundant Vitamin C. It removes the dead skin cells from the scalp and reduces the flakes accumulated on the scalp. Squeeze out its juice and apply on scalp using cotton ball or rub it directly on the scalp. Allow it to stay on for a few minutes then wash off. Do not use lemon a lot as it has the tendency to dry hair.
• Baking soda prevents growth of overactive fungi. Wet the hair then sprinkle a handful of baking soda on the scalp. Massage thoroughly then rinse with a mild shampoo.
• Aloe vera extract soothes the scalp and treats dandruff. Extract the gel from the leaf and juice it. Apply it on the scalp, leaving it on for ten minutes. Rinse off using lukewarm water.
• Eggs too are excellent in reducing dandruff while making the scalp and hair healthier. Beat one egg and apply it on wet hair, leaving it on for a while. Rinse off with cold water, then hot water.
• Coconut oil has anti-fungal properties. Regular application will treat dandruff.
