Solutions for Dry Itchy Scalp

Updated on December 11, 2008
D.B. asks from Denville, NJ
16 answers

Hi! My Daughter is almost 7 and has a dry itchy flaky scalp. It's only in certain patches of her head but it's bad. I have tried head and shoulders, and other shampoos for dry scalp but nothing seems to work. I took her to a Dermotologist and he gave me perscription shampoo but you can only use it for a week at a time. I heard mint was good but does anyone else have this problem or know of a solution?

Thanks

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M.Z.

answers from Glens Falls on

hello both of my girls had the same problem when they where younger i used baby oil on it like you would for cradle cap they have since grown out of it though

M.

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J.C.

answers from New York on

My daughter had the same problem. I went to a dermatologist and his answer was to wash her hair every day, which at the time was not possible. I was 6 months pregnant with my third daughter. Also, we are african american so I had reservations about doing that anyway. I took her to my hair dresser who used regular white vinegar and it cleared it up. Just massage her scalp with vinegar first and then shampoo and wash your daughter's hair normally. It took about six months for my daughters scalp to completely heal, but after the first couple of times we did this you could really see a huge difference. Sometimes grandma's fixes really are the best ones. I hope this helps.

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G.S.

answers from New York on

My husband uses the Paul Mitchell Tea Tree shampoo - it is a bit more expensive then your ordinary shampoos, but it is well worth it. You can even try a discounted beauty supply store so it's not quite as much as at the salon. The other thing to stay away from is any type of shampoo with alcohol as that only further dries out hair. Good luck!

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C.B.

answers from New York on

Hi D.,
Why are you using shampoo's that contain formaldehyde and other chemicals, which make the whole problems worse?
Your daughter may have psoriasis. You need to use a shampoo without chemicals, you will find them at a health food store.
I can as well recommend a lotion, Renew, (not available in retail stores) which will help with her scalp problem.
If you would like more info contact me at: ____@____.com

C.

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S.H.

answers from Buffalo on

Try a bit of Cortisone on it. I have it on my scalp also and this works for me.

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A.S.

answers from New York on

Hi D.

I would talk to your pediatrician, but trying to fix this from the inside rather than topically may be your best and safest solution. Try boosting your daughters Essential Fatty Acid intake (Omega 3&6) with foods like Avocado & Fish (Watch out for Mercury Levels!!! This can cause a whole new set of issues) They make Fish Oil capsules, but again, watch for Mercury content - many will state right on the bottle what the mercury content is - and some taste a little fishy. Again, ask your pediatrician first before adding nutritional supplements.
Good luck!!

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K.S.

answers from New York on

My son had dry itch flaky scalp too so I try t-gel tar shampoo(neutrgena)
....also try to let your daughter drink a lot of water and it eat a lot of omega-3 foods(fatty acids) which are salmon, mackerel tuna fish.
The flaky itchy scalp is a sign of dehydration in the body.

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K.D.

answers from New York on

You might have to check with your doctor to make sure it is safe for kids, but I have this problem and use Redken shampoo AND conditioner specifically for dandruff. Not sure where you are located, but I buy it at Ulta in Watchung. It is expensive but you do not have to use it everyday.
Good luck!
K.

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K.G.

answers from New York on

Hi D.,
I have had problems in the past with psoriasis and severe itching. I tried everything on the market. Now I shop from a company that has great haircare products that might help and don't cost alot of money. They certainly have cleared up my problem:) The these products are naturally based and don't have harsh chemicals in them and also are environmentally friendly. I'd love to share the information with you.

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T.O.

answers from New York on

We use Shaklee's Small Wonder Shampoo and Baby Wash. It works well on cradle cap too. For really tough areas their baby oil is also great. Our 5 year old tends to have a flaky scalp and we have just used the shampoo on her and we noticed a big improvement. All of their products have a 100% guarantee so if you find it does not work for you, you can get your money back.

You can buy it at
www.myhealthylifestore.com

Yes, I am a distributor, but you don't need to buy it from me, I'm just sharing.

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D.S.

answers from New York on

Dear D.,

Did the doctor say it is psoriasis? My husband suffers from it for the past few years and winter is the worst time of the year. He uses prescriptions as well but I know for a child you want to use more natural products if possible. I used to give him hot oil treatments and that would help somewhat with the itching. I wouldn't wash her hair every day in the winter so she can retain some of her natural oils and prevent further drying. My husband never had it until around 3 years ago it was beginning to spread onto his face. It is much better know, but he has been under constant care with a dermotologist. I also purchased shea butter by L'Occitane (not sure of spelling) and that also helped and it is completely natural. He tried all shampoos as well and none really help. I haven't heard of mint but hey its natural so it can't hurt. Good luck!!

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A.H.

answers from New York on

Witch Hazel works wonders. It feels good - tingly.. it's natural... and it makes your hair shiny. Wash hair first.. try Suave kids shampoo with conditioner... and then pour a cup of witch hazel over her hair... rinse quickly... actually a little will stay in which is ok.. and then towel dry.. don't use a blow dryer as this will dry her scalp and hair more... Go on line and look at uses for witch hazel.. its a great product found in any pharmacy..

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E.E.

answers from New York on

Use a shampoo and conditioner with tea tree oil in it, and make sure it's a natural/organic brand that is chemical-free. Nature's Gate makes a good one.

http://www.natures-gate.com/shop/showItem.asp?ProductId=4...

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R.Y.

answers from New York on

I have psorisis on my scalp as well as other places and it is the same symptoms you describe. I have used t-gel tar shampoo (they also make a product called t-sal which is a stronger version of the same thing). It helps with regular use but not has not cleared up the problem completely for me. In the past I have been prescribed other products including a liquid that goes on the scalp and is left on. Many years ago I was perscribed a very oily medication that was supposed to be left on overnight and then washed out. It was inconvient but might be useful to try something like that (maybe hot oil, Tea Tree oil, fish oil or even flaxseed oil) occasionally or just on weekends.

If it is psorisis then it is worse in the winter and when you are under stress (it is an autoimmune disorder). I don't know if the other suggestions on here will help because I haven't tried them. But many of them (mint, vinegar, Tea Tree oil) sound pretty harmless if they don't work. Hope you find some thing that works for your daughter.

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K.G.

answers from Jamestown on

check at your local CVS (yes, CVS now sells professional products-at least ours does), or salon and get some Paul Mitchel's Tea tree shampoo.

tea tree helps a lot with itchy scalp.

You can also try olive oil, rub it into the scalp and then wash out with shampoo...you may have to wash twice.
It's not uncommon to have dry scalp during the winter. Most shampoos are for working on the hair, not the scalp. So you need to have something what will saturate the scalp to help heal it.

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M.C.

answers from New York on

Try T-Gel shampoo. I think it's made by nutragena. It works for me when I have the same problem and was recommended to me by someone else with the same problem. If she gets it in her eyes it will sting worse than regular shampoo, but other than that there's nothing to worry about. You can get it in the grocery store or at CVS, Walgreen's etc.

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