How to Treat Dandruff in Children

Dandruff (also known as seborrheic dermatitis or seborrhea) can cause white flakes to appear in your child’s hair and scalp. Fortunately, there are many shampoos that can help you get your child’s dandruff under control. These shampoos should only be used on older children, however. If your baby has dandruff, they likely have a temporary condition called cradle cap, which can be removed with oil and baby shampoo. If these treatments don’t work, you may need to consult a doctor for medical treatment.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Washing Your Child's Hair with Dandruff Shampoo

1
Buy a dandruff shampoo. You can buy dandruff shampoo at grocery stores, drug stores, and pharmacies. There are several different types. Certain shampoos are more effective on some people than others. You may need to try various ones before you find one that works for your child.^{[1]XResearch source}
- Selenium sulfide shampoos, such as Selsun Blue, can help prevent skin cells from dying, but they may discolor light-colored hair.
- Zinc pyrithione shampoos contain an antifungal ingredient. These include Head & Shoulders and Jason Dandruff Relief.
- Salicylic acid shampoos, like Neutrogena T/Sal, exfoliate the scalp to reduce flaking, but you should use a conditioner afterwards to prevent dryness.
- Ketoconazole shampoos contain an effective antifungal. While many are prescription only, you can buy Nizoral or Ketopine over the counter.
- Coal tar shampoos, such as Neutrogena T/Gel, may discolor light-colored hair. If your child has light hair, you may want to try a different option.
Gently brushing their hair will loosen some of the flakes. This will help you wash the dandruff away more easily. You can use a brush or a comb.^{[2]XResearch source}
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3
Massage the shampoo into your child's wet hair. When your child showers or bathes, dampen their hair. Pour about a quarter-sized amount of the shampoo into your hand, and lather it into their scalp. The shampoo needs to touch the skin of their scalp for it to work.
- For older children, you may want to show them how to use the shampoo once before letting them wash their own hair.
4
Let the shampoo sit for five minutes. The shampoo needs a few minutes to work. Read the label of the shampoo to see how long it should sit. In most cases, it will be around five minutes. Make sure that your child’s scalp is completely covered with the shampoo as it sits. Rinse out the shampoo after five minutes.^{[3]XResearch source}
- Try to avoid getting the shampoo in their eyes.
- If your child complains that their scalp burns or stings, wash out the shampoo immediately, and try using a different type of shampoo.
5
Alternate dandruff shampoo with normal shampoo. Use dandruff shampoo twice a week. On days that you are not washing with dandruff shampoo, wash their hair with a gentle children’s shampoo. This will keep their hair clean and prevent more dandruff from forming.^{[4]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Academy of DermatologyProfessional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologistsGo to source}
- Dandruff may never go away completely, but you can keep it under control. After two or three weeks, you should notice fewer flakes in their hair and smoother skin on their scalp. If you do not, you may need to see a doctor.
Hair gel and hair spray can dry out the skin and cause it to flake more. Avoid using these products as much as possible.^{[5]XResearch source}
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Reducing Cradle Cap in Babies

With your fingers, gently loosen the crusts on their head. The oil will moisturize their scalp and help loosen the crust overnight.^{[6]XResearch source}
Do this the morning after you use the mineral oil. Make sure to rinse the shampoo out entirely, as leftover shampoo may worsen the problem.^{[7]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
Once their hair is clean, use a toothbrush or a baby hairbrush to gently remove the rest of the crust. Flake off the crust with the brush as much as you can.^{[8]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
Dandruff shampoos or creams may irritate the baby’s skin. In some cases, the baby's skin may absorb toxic chemicals from the shampoo. The shampoo can also sting the baby’s eyes. Most cradle cap goes away on its own, so you should not need to use any special treatments.^{[9]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Medical Treatments

1
Visit your doctor if over-the-counter shampoos don’t work. If you have used dandruff shampoos for a month without success, you should visit your child's doctor. The doctor will tell you if your child has dandruff or another underlying skin issue, such as ringworm. You should also visit their doctor if:^{[10]XResearch source}
- The scalp turns red.
- Thick crusts develop on the scalp.
- Hair is falling out in patches.
- Rashes appear elsewhere on their body or face.
- The child can’t stop scratching their head.
Your doctor may give you a much stronger shampoo to treat your child’s dandruff. This shampoo may have the same ingredients as an over-the-counter shampoo, just in much higher concentrations.
3
Apply a prescription cream to their scalp. Your doctor may prescribe either an antifungal or steroid cream. Apply the cream to your child’s scalp once or twice a day. Always follow the instructions on the label of the medication.^{[11]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Academy of Family PhysiciansOrganization devoted to improving the health of patients, families, and communitiesGo to source}
- Steroid creams you might be prescribed include hydrocortisone or desonide.
- Antifungal creams include Monistat, Lamisil, or Lotrimin.
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