Dry Scalp or Craddle Cap??

Updated on December 20, 2006
E.L. asks from Shawnee, OK
12 answers

My son is 6 years old and I was wondering, can a child his age still get craddle cap or dry scalp. I don't know what it is, his doctor scheduled him to come it and look at it but until then what can I do to stop the itching.

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P.B.

answers from Tulsa on

Renew intensive skin therapy works wonders on eczema or any other skin condition. It won hands down in blind tests between Renew and Eucerin. There is also Renew bath oil! P.

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H.A.

answers from Kansas City on

It may just be a dry skin related problem. My kids and I have a problem with itcy dry skin as soon as we have to turn the heat on in our house...

try washing his hair with a gentle shampoo, like baby shampoo. It may help to use a topical dandruff conditioner or shampoo, but I wouldn't use it by itself, mix some dandruff shampoo with the baby shampoo, his skin may still be sensitive to an adult strength shampoo.

Have you changed detergent or anything else recently? That could lead to an allergic reaction..

Good luck

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S.G.

answers from Kansas City on

Hello,
My husband has this problem too. We have a friend that is a hairdresser and she said to use Tea Tree Shampoo. It smells minty, and it works very well. She also there is a difference between dry scalp and dandriff. Head and Shoulders doesn't work on my husband. You might try the tea tree shampoo.

Good luck,
Michelle

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S.S.

answers from St. Louis on

My daughter is 6 and since she was about three she has had eczema. It started on her leg but just last year it started on her scalp. At first I thought it was just dry skin too but after the problem persisted I took her to the doctor and they told me it was her eczema. he prescribed hydrocortizone and Elidel. I am not sure if you can get those over the counter or not so the best thing I have found to help and it really does help is A&D ointment. You get it at walmart or your local pharmacy and it will be in the section with like the desitin. White tube with brown and yellow letters. Hope this helps and good luck.

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S.O.

answers from Kansas City on

Dry scalp is VERY common this time of year. We turn on the heat in our houses and boom our skin tends to dry out. Here is the remedy I use on my girls. After washing their heads with shampoo, I towel dry them and while still in the tub, put a heavy coat of conditioner on their little heads. making sure to get it on the scalp. leave on for awhile and then rinse. This has done a great job for both of them. My 9 year old has had a worse problem than my 2.5 year old. She (9yo) has very long hair too! Hope that helps!

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R.

answers from Oklahoma City on

it may be dandrif try head and shoulders it should help. Also use conditerner. You might also try a leave in one to help too.

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A.H.

answers from Springfield on

Well, yes, it is still possible to get craddle cap, if the shampoo isn't being rinsed out of his hair completely.

But it could also be dry scalp, dandruff, an allergy to the shampoo being used, eczema, or even head lice (all of which have different ways of treating). Until you see a doctor, who knows what it actually is and we really can't say since we are unable to see it ourselves.

How far away is your doctor's appointment?

I would try calling the doctor's office back and tell them that your son's head is itching really bad and ask them what you can do to stop the itch (or help deal with the itch)in the meantime.

If it is too bad, you can either go to the Emergency Room or even call them and tell them you have a doctor's appointment set up, but that your son's head is itching and unable to get ahold of your doctor. Tell them what you think it is and briefly describe the sympthoms (They may ask you a few questions over the phone.), and they might be able to give you some method of temporary relief over the phone to stop the itch until you can get into your doctor.

Good luck. Hope this helps.

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K.R.

answers from Springfield on

Have you tried Selson Blue? When my daughter has cradle cap that's what we use. Her pediatrician recommended it and it works very well. It usually clears her itchy scalp up in 1 day. Good luck!

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J.B.

answers from Kansas City on

I believe the term cradle cap refers to the condition caused by the head growing faster than the skin can keep up with, therefore causing dry, yellowish, flaking skin. Since your child's head is probably very close to full size my guess is your kiddo maybe has excema or just common dry skin/dandruff that is more common in winter when we turn our heaters on and suck all the moisture out of the air. I would massage a small amount of baby oil on his scalp and run a comb through his hair several times before bathtime. Now getting him to sit still while you attempt this process is a whole different issue!! Maybe he can read a book or watch a video while you preen?
Hope this help!
J.

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A.B.

answers from Topeka on

Hello all 3 of my children have eczema and my oldest is 10 who had it the worst. I found that using water based products did no justice for them, only drying the skin out moore. It is really hard when your children loves water too. I would say some type of light weight oil, (not baby oil becuase it is waterbased) that you could massage the scalp with after washing. Conditioning the hair is another important aspect of keeping the scalp moisturized, because if it is water based and causes the eczema to dry out more. Also try not to wash the hair everyday maybe every other day if you can help it.

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T.H.

answers from Bloomington on

My son is almost 15 and we just hit the dermetoligist and he is still refering to his head as having craddle cap. he had it bad as a little one it went away... it came back... it went away... it came back.. oh my!!!!! Last time it was bad for us was in I think 98.... so now in 2006.... it was still hit and miss but we controled it with like head and sholders for the most part.. and tricks of the trade..

WE have some creams and stuff from before so When it got a bit bad we just hit and missed it....

WE just got a new FOAM.. PRICEY!!! But so far we are giving it a go....

Anyway.... I would say Make sure you go see a dermetoligist!!!!!!

my son gets it bad right now anyway above ears and nap of neck... used to get it those places and top of head oh man reallly bad on top of head... but now those other places!!!!!

but it is crust on top of crust on top of crust...

You put this stuff on... wait 3 hours and get a comb and well pick at it a bit then shampoo with this special shampoo..... also an RX....

it takes about 2 months to get a hold on then not have to reallly do the foam every day or every 3 days.. Maybe 1ce a week if that even.... maybe every 2 weeks maybe....

I cant wait to get back to just shampoo and be ok again!!!!

IF you live in BLoomington IL area let me know WE love our dr... let me know!!

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D.T.

answers from Tulsa on

Dandruf is inherited. It really depends on where it is located. At this age I would think it might even be a reaction to his shampoo even if he's been using it for years. Allergies can happen at anytime.

My 5 year old has a spot on the back of his head that bothers him a lot. At first I thought it was cradle cap but after lots of cradle cap care the doctor said it was a yeast infection and diflucan cleared up. After we switched doctors I've had a hard time convincing others to just give us the prescriptions I asked for. He's been to a dermotologist and we can never get it completely cleared.

The doctor's told me "the best you can do is keep his hair short to keep his scalp dry and less irritated. Keep his fingernails short so that if he does scratch the's not introducing bacteria into it." We use a combination of Lotrisone and Locoid creme.

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