$Unique_ID{BRK00941}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Is There a Good Shampoo for a Child With Dandruff?}
$Subject{dermatitis dandruff child care kid kids children eczema Skin scalp
hair atopic tinea capitis ringworm psoriasis}
$Volume{S-20}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Is There a Good Shampoo for a Child With Dandruff?


------------------------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTION:  Can you imagine a child of only four years of age developing
dandruff?  Well, our son has it and we are not able to stop it with his normal
baby shampoos.  Could you please recommend a good shampoo we could use that's
safe for a child his age, and that doesn't need a prescription?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANSWER:  Let's slow down for a moment here.  While I can understand the desire
to save the cost of a doctor's visit, the presence of ugly flakes in a child's
hair may not be as simple to treat as might wish.  A good diagnosis is the
first requirement for any treatment, including an appropriate shampoo, which
must be chosen with the exact knowledge of the problem.  The two most common
causes of dandruff in a child are eczema (atopic dermatitis) followed in
frequency by tinea capitis (ringworm of the scalp).  They are quite different
in nature and symptoms.  While the eczema can provoke a great deal of itching,
the ringworm can cause hair loss.  The ringworm can be detected through a
microscopic examination and culture of some scales scraped from the scalp, but
medication useful for removing the infection will have no effect on dandruff
resulting from eczema.  Since psoriasis can also affect young people,
producing scales as well, there is a real need for an accurate diagnosis here
and the possibility that only prescription medications will help solve your
problem.  Sorry, but I think a visit to your physician is called for.

----------------

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.