flaky scalp

[Gracie]

I was washing DD's (23ms) hair yesterday and I noitced a ton of flakes all on her hair. I thought maybe it was left over hair products (I have to use the same strong gel I use on my hair, b.c. she has super kinky curly hair that gets really dry and poofy) i was thinking maybe it was link just stuck in her hair but I can see its all over her scalp and when I scratch it it flakes. So I tihnk it might be dandruff. What would I use on her hair to get rid of it?? I dont even know how Im going to get it OUT of her hair! :shock: its all tangled in there with the curls...

[stephwhiz]

I would probably visit your local beauty supply store and talk to them about it. If she was older I would suggest something like Head and Shoulders which takes care of itchy scalp or dandruff but since she is so little I am afraid it might be too harsh on her little head. Good luck! Stephanie :D

[Gracie]

good idea! I'll try to go to a beauty supply shop today.

[breezykc]

I too have to deal with naturally curly hair and the harsh products to tame it! Desitin Medicated shampoo is much stronger than head and shoulders and really works wonders! I'm not sure on the age, but maybe you can ask a doc if it would be okay diluted some or if they can prescribe a special shampoo for exzema for kids... Best if you was first, then scrub in shampoo good and let soak on scalp about 5 inutes then rinse...then use a really super natural intense conditoner that won't irritate! Good luck! :wink:

[justmeNmine]

I have known people with dry, flaky scalp in combination with dark, kinky hair that used a product called "dry scalp relief oil" as a treatment, also making sure not to wash it frequently, but always adding moisturizer; As far as removing it at first, I'm not too sure...

It could be Cradle cap? If it is you just have to put baby oil on her head and comb all the flakes off her scalp and then wash her hair thoroughly to get them all out of her hair. I have had to do this a couple of times for Abby.
Can you use Head and Shoulders on a toddler?

[Gracie]

I'm not sure what it is. I washed it again last night. I usually only try to wash it every few days b/c curly hair doesnt need to be washed as often. I don't think it's wringworm but im not sure. If it was wring worm i dont think it would cover her entire scalp would it? Its just like light colored tiny flakes that are all over her hair (started in one spot then when I washed i really scrubbed her scalp thinking i was getting rid of it--thought it was some kind of dry hair goop stuck in her hair) Ive been searching online and havent found much help. She would be itching her hair if it was itchy...

Please pray for uson this ladies. Thanks. :)

[mommyb]

It's probably dandruff. Maybe try Head and Shoulders and if that doesn't help take her to a dermatologist?

Ringworm is entirely different to Cradle cap. :?
Ringworm is passed on usually from cats (not sure about dogs) and looks like a ring made of tiny red bumps and it is itchy. Doesn't sound like ringworm to me.
Cradle cap is from a build up of shampoo or soap... if you don't completely wash it all out.
If the flakes are very tiny then it's most likely dandruff. Cradle cap flakes are larger... probably nearly the length of an ant.

[TrueFaithMom]

we've used head and shoulders on dd nearly her whole life... she's got flakes, too! I usually use a conditioner after so we can comb through it easier, but if we didn't it would still be ok.

[Gracie]

Wow, ok that clears a lot up. I was using SO much stuff to make her hair stay in the pony tail it def built up. Im sure this sounds bone headish but after I would wash her hair i would but no more tangles stuff in it and some kind of hair cream and it would sort of lather :oops: making me tihnk there was shampoo but i guess i didnt really think there was.....I just really have to wash it out good! Im going to take MILs advice and use baby oil for a while...It seemed to work today. It def. sounds like cradle cap. The flakes arent super tiny.. about <> that big. lol I'll try to take a pic of it.
But yeah, it def. sounds like cradle cap. They have shampoo for that right? Like nature's shampoo or something?
ahh I feel so much better *sigh of relief* :D

Glad you got that sorted out :D It's easy to get rid of. I wouldn't worry too much about hairsprays or that no tangles stuff. I've used it before. It's the shampoo and conditioners you've gotta watch. Perhaps wash her hair and then use just water to rinse it all out instead of using the bath water? I am guilty of using the soapy bath water. :oops: If she is old enough (like 2 or over) you could rinse her hair out in the shower after washing it. :wink:

BTW don't use the baby oil in the bath. That creates build up too. I only use the baby oil to put in her hair to comb out the cradle cap. Then I wash it and rinse everything out thoroughly.

I am not sure about what shampoos you can use for cradle cap. I just continued with the J&Js Kids shampoo but made sure to thorougly wash it all out afterwards.

[Gracie]

yeah I guess I was just getting a little ahead of things using adult hair products and stuff. I am just going to go back to basics and wash with J & J Baby Shampoo and baby oil after just so theres some kind of moister. It seemed to really help her scalp. It looks like its not as bad, so I am just so glad. I thought we were going to have some huge ordeal for a second there :) yeesh.. I cant imagine all these problems with more than one child.

I don't use baby oil after washing her hair. I was told baby oil can cause cradle cap too. I only use the baby oil to get the flakes off the scalp and then I wash as normal making sure I get all the shampoo out.

[mommyb]

Ds has had some cradle cap (my mom got a lot of it out) and my mom suggested using baby oil. I guess we'll see!

I just cannot imagine putting baby oil in her hair and leaving it there. I hate the stuff. It's so oily. I never even used it in her baths. I just used J&Js Top to Toe wash or baby soap. And I never used baby lotion or cream. Just the talcum powder. I guess I'm lucky Abby doesn't have any allergies to anything and doesn't seem to get dry skin.

[tracy]

When I asked my ped about dd cradle cap he said to put vegtable oil or some natural oil on it (didn't mention baby oil). He didn't say to wash it out. Dd doesn't seem to have as much, but I've been fighting it for several months. Is it ok to pick it out? Or does it come out easily with a comb? She really doesn't have much hair.

[Godzgirl]

Something that i would do when my daughter had cradle cap was get baby oil on the spot and then get a brush and brush the flakes off the scalp. This totally helped her out.

[JoyLynn]

We had this problem with couple of our kids when they were really young. Instead of baby oil, try olive oil. I know... WEIRD!! But it's healing and recommended by dermatologists. I would put it on the scalp real good before shampooing. Then I'd let our daughter play in the tub for a while so it could work it's magic, and then gently scrub with a fingernail brush we bought just for that reason. Rinse well and then shampoo as usual. Only had to do it a couple of times. I did keep using the fingernail brush when shampooing until they were older.

Joy [welcomewave]