Dandruff in kids is a common skin condition that causes tiny, white flakes to shed off from the scalp. These tiny flakes are dead cells that fall off from the uppermost layer of the skin (1). Though common in children, dandruff, also called seborrheic dermatitis, can affect infants, teens, and adults. Generally, children with oily skin tend to get more dandruff than dry skin (2). Dandruff doesn’t cause any serious problem, but it can cause the scalp to itch, which can be bothersome. Hence, prompt treatment is vital to alleviate itching and avert dandruff-related hair problems. So, keep reading to explore more about dandruff in children, its causes, symptoms, treatment, and effective home remedies you can try.
Possible Causes Of Dandruff In Children
Dandruff can occur at any age, and the exact cause is unknown. Here are some observations with regard to dandruff in children. Some children may know they have dandruff due to falling flakes, while some may not. Symptoms of dandruff in kids vary from one to another.
Symptoms Of Dandruff In Children
The most common symptoms include (6):
Dry scalp Itchy scalp White flakes on hair and falling on shoulders Itching may cause redness of the scalp Hair loss (temporary) An oily area on the scalp
Dandruff in children is not contagious, which means a child cannot get dandruff from others.
Dandruff Treatment For Children
Dandruff doesn’t harm the scalp. But when left untreated, it may cause severe itchiness, which is uncomfortable. The following steps may help reduce dandruff. Observing some non-medicinal methods at home can help provide relief to the child from dandruff.
Home Remedies To Prevent Dandruff In Children
Some of the natural remedies for dandruff that you may consider are:
According to a research study, 5% of tea tree oil could be effective in treating dandruff with no adverse effects. The study had participants who were 14-year-old and older (9).
Shampoos and conditioners containing aloe vera could reduce seborrheic dermatitis (10).
Applying coconut oil on the scalp may reduce the severity of dandruff.
Lemon juice or lemon juice mixed in coconut oil may also help in getting rid of dandruff (11).
You may also try a mixture of yogurt, egg yolks, and honey (12).
Ginger and Indian gooseberry are also considered effective in treating and preventing dandruff (13).
Neem, apple cider vinegar, fenugreek seeds, and baking soda are also used (14).
The efficacy of these remedies on curing dandruff among children is unknown as the studies were carried on adults. However, you may try them as they may not be harmful to a child. Apply the substance on a small patch of the scalp to see if it suits your child. If the substance causes discomfort or irritation, then wash it immediately.
References:
title: “Dandruff In Kids Causes Treatment And Home Remedies” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-28” author: “Jose Linton”
Dandruff in kids is a common skin condition that causes tiny, white flakes to shed off from the scalp. These tiny flakes are dead cells that fall off from the uppermost layer of the skin (1). Though common in children, dandruff, also called seborrheic dermatitis, can affect infants, teens, and adults. Generally, children with oily skin tend to get more dandruff than dry skin (2). Dandruff doesn’t cause any serious problem, but it can cause the scalp to itch, which can be bothersome. Hence, prompt treatment is vital to alleviate itching and avert dandruff-related hair problems. So, keep reading to explore more about dandruff in children, its causes, symptoms, treatment, and effective home remedies you can try.
Possible Causes Of Dandruff In Children
Dandruff can occur at any age, and the exact cause is unknown. Here are some observations with regard to dandruff in children. Some children may know they have dandruff due to falling flakes, while some may not. Symptoms of dandruff in kids vary from one to another.
Symptoms Of Dandruff In Children
The most common symptoms include (6):
Dry scalp Itchy scalp White flakes on hair and falling on shoulders Itching may cause redness of the scalp Hair loss (temporary) An oily area on the scalp
Dandruff in children is not contagious, which means a child cannot get dandruff from others.
Dandruff Treatment For Children
Dandruff doesn’t harm the scalp. But when left untreated, it may cause severe itchiness, which is uncomfortable. The following steps may help reduce dandruff. Observing some non-medicinal methods at home can help provide relief to the child from dandruff.
Home Remedies To Prevent Dandruff In Children
Some of the natural remedies for dandruff that you may consider are:
According to a research study, 5% of tea tree oil could be effective in treating dandruff with no adverse effects. The study had participants who were 14-year-old and older (9).
Shampoos and conditioners containing aloe vera could reduce seborrheic dermatitis (10).
Applying coconut oil on the scalp may reduce the severity of dandruff.
Lemon juice or lemon juice mixed in coconut oil may also help in getting rid of dandruff (11).
You may also try a mixture of yogurt, egg yolks, and honey (12).
Ginger and Indian gooseberry are also considered effective in treating and preventing dandruff (13).
Neem, apple cider vinegar, fenugreek seeds, and baking soda are also used (14).
The efficacy of these remedies on curing dandruff among children is unknown as the studies were carried on adults. However, you may try them as they may not be harmful to a child. Apply the substance on a small patch of the scalp to see if it suits your child. If the substance causes discomfort or irritation, then wash it immediately.
