Addressing the problem of dandruff in little children

What is dandruff?  Dandruff is small pieces of dead skin on a person’s scalp that causes itchiness. Kids are quite susceptible to dandruff because they play outdoors in dirt and dust. Also, dandruff can pass on from one child to another so it is quite common with school-going kids. 

In rare cases, dandruff can be due to a serious condition and cause inflammation on the scalp. In any case, it is unhygienic to have dandruff and annoying to see someone constantly scratch their head.  

What causes dandruff in kids? 

There can be several reasons for dandruff in kids, namely: 

• Improper cleansing of hair: As a mom, I know how tough it can be to get your kid to wash his hair. A lot of kids resist hair wash, leading to a lot of tears and sorrow. Amidst all this, it is quite possible that not all of the dead skin cells are washed off. Some remain and lead to dandruff. 

• Improper diet: An unhealthy diet high in junk food can lead to dandruff and itchy scalp. 

• Chemicals in hair care products: Some chemicals used in hair care products may not suit your child’s scalp leading to dandruff. 

• Malassezia: It is a yeast-like fungus that causes disturbance in the natural growth of cells and leads to dandruff. 

• Eczema: This is a skin condition that results in skin inflammation. It is difficult to treat but can be kept under control. Dandruff is a milder form of this condition. 

What are the symptoms of dandruff in kids? 

Check for the following if you doubt your kid has dandruff: 

• Your child’s scalp feels itchy and he needs to constantly scratch his head. 

• You can see dry white flakes on his scalp or clothes. 

• You can see oily flakes in the scalp area.

• Red patches on the scalp.  

Can dandruff be harmful? 

Dandruff is quite common and not harmful in most cases. However, when associated with conditions like eczema, Malassezia or psoriasis, there is redness and inflammation in the scalp. It is important to take treatment from a doctor in such cases.

In the next section, we look at some simple measures that can be used to treat dandruff in kids. 

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