28 answers

Dry Scalp

Hi All! I'm a new member and have never posted a question before, but
thought maybe someone out there could help.

My 4 1/2 yr old daughter just recovered from a case of cellulitis (skin
infection caused by a bacterial infection in the blood). It caused
her scalp and forhead to swell and become VERY red. After the IV
antibiotics were over and the swelling went down, her forhead became very dry
and peely. I put lotion for very dry skin on it, and it cleared up.

So here's my question... her scalp is now really dry and flaky. I
already put a detangler on it when I wash it so I can get a comb through,
and that tends to make her hair look greasy faster. I can't slather her
head with lotion, and I'm afraid of putting on heavy-duty conditioner
because it's her head that's effected, not her hair. Should I just let
it take its course? Any home remedies? Any suggestions would be
great!! Thanks!! -- E.

What can I do next?

So What Happened?™

To my new friends - Thank you so much for all your suggestions and advice!! I had no idea you all were "out there"!

We visted my daughter's PCP today as a follow-up to her hospital stay. She told us that because Emma's dry scalp was caused by cellulitis (skin infection), we just had to let the flakiness run its course. It's probably going to take a week or 2 before it clears up. I told her about all of your suggestions, and she said that they sounded great for "regular dry scalp", but wouldn't have the same effect on Emma at this time.

Thank you, again, for being there for me! I love that I'm not alone!!!! :-)
- E. D.

Featured Answers

My daughter has had this problem since infancy and she's now 7. We have prescription shampoo but most recommended is good ol' Selson Blue. Also recommend putting on some baby oil and comb out with fine tooth comb to loosten up the scales and then wash out. It takes a few washings to get the oil out but her scalp will look good as new.

My daughter was having a very hard time with dry scalp. The girl who cuts her hair told us to get a Heads and Shoulders...so I bought her the 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner. I have her put it on at the beginning of her shower and rub it in her scalp real good and leave it on until she is done washing her body and everything else. It has not totall gone away but has made a drastic difference!

Maybe try rubbing baby oil in her hair to moisten the skin then use a fine comb and brush it out. Then just wash her hair with regular shampoo and conditioner. I tried it when my daughter had cradle cap and it worked great.

More Answers

You can try sulfer 8 OR pink oil moist. You can usually find them at any drug store, dollar store or beauty supply. I know we have a extra emollient cream (Mary Kay) that works VERY good on dry skin, it might not hurt to try it on the head but I can call our dermotologist at Mary Kay & see what they think or if they may rec something else. Let me know if your interested or you can try those other two I listed first,just make sure you oil & massage her scalp & NOT grease her hair. Keep me posted goodluck & God Bless!

Did you try baby oil either directly on the scalp or just in
the bath water? It is something you could try. I hope this
helps. My best to you!

Try a dandruff shampoo. Most of them are gentle enough to use with children. Just check at the pharmacy counter to make sure.

In Walmarts baby ara they have stuff to treat craddel cap give it a try!

Hello E., straight beer has helped several people with dry scalps, my sister in law swears by a beer shampoo she buys, which I don't know the name of. It does not make her stink like beer, on the contrary, her hair smells wonderful. I was helped by a commercial tar shampoo and also by a coconut shampoo from The Body Shop. Later was diagnosed with psoriasis, got medication for it for my scalp, it later occured in my ears and I have been helped by the Renew lotion from The Melaleuca company. If your daughter's symptoms occur other places on her body and seem to bother her a lot, consider taking her to naturopathic doctor, dermatologist or even a hairdresser. I was wrongly diagnosed by the doctor and it was my hairdresser who said that it was psoriasis, and she was right. In general , go natural to the extent that you can, perfumed stuff can irritate more. Linn

Maybe try rubbing baby oil in her hair to moisten the skin then use a fine comb and brush it out. Then just wash her hair with regular shampoo and conditioner. I tried it when my daughter had cradle cap and it worked great.

Try Arbonne baby care for your child. You will be amazed at how well it works. If you can't find an Arbonne consultant in your area, contact me.
H.

Hi E.! I'm so sorry to hear your daughter has been having such a hard time. When my daughter was little she had a horrible case of cradle cap, which is probably somewhat similar to what you are dealing with. At first I thought the answer was to moisturize, but later found out from others that it was better to remove the dead skin. I used a shampoo called California Baby on her and it loosened up all of that dead/dry skin really quickly. I purchased it at a health store, but I've also seen it at Target. It's a little pricey (about $10 a bottle) but I found it well worth it.

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