Hi moms I always get such great advice from u so heresmy question . My 6 yr old daughter has these patches on her scalp that are scabby and white and flaky. At first I thought maybe she wasn't rinsing the shampoo out of her hair good enough because she just starting taking showers on her own instead of baths. So yesterday I helped her and watched how she was doing it and she rinsed fine. They seem to be painful because she cries when I brush her hair and hit those spots any idea what this could b ? Thanks in advance .
It's probably just an allergy... I get the same thing. Sensitive skin really needs a good shampoo. Try something that's organic... without parabens, sulfates, etc. That junk is bad for you anyway! It will be much gentler on her!
My daughter has this too-she is 7. I was told it was basically cradle cap. I was told to use a OTC dandruff shampoo (the dr recommended Selsun blue) and one of the scrub brushes that they use in the hospital (the little square ones that dr use to wash their hands, only without the cleaner in it) My daughter cant stand the dandruff shampoo so I just use regular shampoo and she just has a dandruffy looking scalp. If it is the same, the pain thing would bother me. My daughters does not hurt her, unless if we have scrubbed it too hard or too much.
I would definitely have it looked at next time she is in. If it gets bigger take her in sooner.
I am also guessing it could be ringworm, only because my boys went through the same thing a few months ago. After a week or two, they went totally bald in those areas. Skin ringworm can be treated by over the counter anti-fungal medicine, but scalp ringworm has to be treated by Dr. prescribed oral antibiotics, otherwise hairloss will be permanent.
It could also be psoriasis (which could explain the pain) or a bad case of dandruff, cradle cap. Is the skin area getting red or inflamed looking at all? She could just also have a very sensitive scalp or an allergic reaction to shampoo. I'm a hairstylist and have seen it all!
Could be ringworm. Pediatrician can perform a test by collecting some of the flakes.
I could absolutely be wrong but I have never heard of a child this age getting cradle cap.
Not too freak u out.. My dd had that and it was ring worm.. Doesn't look like traditional ring worm on the skin.. Maybe google it...call pediatrician.
Easy to get rid of when you het the right rx.
my guess is just as good as anyone's here...my money is on fungus infection. But to be sure it needs to be looked at by your ped and they can do a culutre to make sue. My daughter had something like that once and we had to use a perscribtion shampoo for a while. There is some OTC stuff ( Lamasil) but it is not recommended for kids that young.
I get scalp psoriasis and presents like this. Particularly near-ish the hairline and in and around my ears. Its itchy and so I scratch at it and the skin is very sensitive and kind of burns. If this is what your dd has going on..even a light but prickly brush going over it "gently" could feel to her like a rake over sunburned skin. Like I said, hairline (a few inches in at its worst for me) and behind and inside my ears is where I get it so bad...and this seems typical if you look it up. I get "plaques" of it...like chunks that can be pulled off/picked at...its gross and embarassing and does hurt.
For me, using a dandruff type OTC shampoo (higher end..not head and shoulders stuff) usually helps, but best of all for me is scalp maintainance. I have finally in the past few years found a daily, regular-buy-it-at-the-store shampoo and conditioner that keeps my levels normal for me (not sure what exactly..ph...or moisture or whatever??)...but I am in my early 40's and had this all my life. Sensitive to perms (it was the 70's and 80's..forgive us all! LOL), the little bit of coloring I have done...a few forays into shop colors and mostly home colors the last 5 years and now have given up totally...they burn and stain my scalp for a week after each one....)
I now use "Yes to Carrots" shampoo and conditioner and have very few flare ups. Its just what works for me.
Good luck.
My 5 year-old still gets these sometimes - it's cradle cap. You have to treat the area with a little baby oil, let it soak in. Then gently scrape off the flakes with a washcloth, then use a fine tooth comb to comb them out of her hair. Wash her hair twice to remove the oil.
It's gross but relatively normal. I only have to treat my son's scalp maybe 1-2 times a year now. Hopefully it goes away soon! My younger daughter has it too. Here's an article discussing how 40% of children have cradle cap until age 5 (I'm guessing some kids could even go a little longer).
http://www.mydr.com.au/babies-pregnancy/cradle-cap-common...
Although...theirs is little more yellow than white. Definitely check with your pediatrician before doing anything because there is also a chance it could be ringworm (very similar symptoms on the scalp).
My daughter had this on and off her whole life. I would scratch it off and switch shampoos. It helped.
You have received a bunch of varying responses, and my bet is on psoriasis as I have suffered from this too and sounds very much like what I've had. But the best thing to do is make an appointment with your pediatrician or even a dermatologist as they can give you a more definitive answer. It is definitely treatable. I was helped by a prescription shampoo. But better sooner than later so your little one gets some relief. Good luck to you!
It's more than likely scalp psorasis. I have it, my daughter has it. Your PCP will probably recommend oil, like mine did. But I went to my dermatologist and received a generic solution that works wonders. Apparently there isn't a cure for it, so we use the solution as often as I can remember, maybe 3-4 times per week. When I forget, it flares up fast. I can't stand it.
Sounds exactly like a ringworm/fungal infection. Doesn't look like a traditional ringworm. My kids have gotten it before.
