Dandruff

Dandruff is the normal shedding of the scalp. Skin is constantly regenerating. On most of the body’s surface, the flakes of dead skin fall to the ground without fanfare, but in the hair, they may accumulate. Some children shed faster than others, and that makes it more noticeable.

• The key to fighting dandruff is removing the flakes as fast as they form by washing the hair every day. A regular shampoo usually works fine. Eventually, you may be able to wash your child’s hair every other day without seeing dandruff. But you will probably never be able to wash it less often than that.

• If your child’s scalp is red and irritated, use a medicated shampoo for about three days. Your pharmacist can help you select one. These shampoos don’t require a prescription. They will remove the dandruff and also cut down on the rate of shedding. After lathering the hair with a medicated shampoo, let it soak in for three minutes before rinsing.

That should take care of it, but if your youngster is still troubled by dandruff, talk to your physician.

During Dr. Schmitt’s 20 years as a medical practitioner and researcher, he has published over 100 articles or chapters on pediatric health care, and has been awarded the distinguished C. Anderson Aldrich Award by the American Academy of Pediatrics for outstanding contributions to the field of child development. Schmitt has also authored five books including Your Child’s Health, which won Child Magazine’s first Hall of Fame Award in 1991. Schmitt is also a professor of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and on staff at The Children’s Hospital in Denver, Colorado.