Selection require a mild approach.
Selection require a moderate approach to manage this dandruff.
Selection require a top of the line approach.
Selection require a careful approach.
Selection require seeing a doctor.
Symptoms require a mild approach and carefully managing the hair.
Symptoms require a mild approach and you will have to see adoctor
Symptoms require a moderate approach and careful hair care.
Symptoms require a moderate case approach and you will have to see a doctor.
Symptoms require a severe dandruff management approach and carefully managing the hair.
Symptoms require a severe dandruff management system and requires seeing a doctor.
Symptoms require careful hair care management and you will have to see a doctor.
Symptoms require mild approach, careful hair care and seeing a doctor.
Symptoms require moderate approach, carefully managing the hair and a doctor visit.
Symptoms require severe case management and a doctor office visit.
Preventive measures
Use a gentle shampoo daily to prevent oiliness and flaky build up.
Use an antifungal shampoo like ketoconazole or selenium sulfide once or twice a week to control the fungal count on the scalp
All of these?
Your child must have this dandruff really bad.
Your child will need to see a doctor for this dandruff. This is pretty bad.
None of these?
We must have left something out.
Please choose what closely describe your child's dandruff and see what we recommend to use over-the-counter.
Managing a mild case.
Start with:
Salicylic acid + sulfur or coal tar. You need to soften the outer layer of the child's scalp, loosen it and make it shed.
This should reduce skin flakes and scales after about 2 weeks.
Then:
Use zinc pyrithione for control. This should keep the bacteria count on the scalp in check. Bacteria can hasten the death of skin cells of the scalp.
Or if not too bad, use emollients like lanolin to keep the child's scalp hydrated.
Managing a moderate case.
Start with:
Salicylic acid, sulfur or coal tar to soften, loosen the outer layer of the skin on the child's scalp. You need to reduce skin flakes and scales.
Then:
Once you are confident the outer skin layer is cleared, use an antifungal agent like selenium sulfide or ketoconazole to keep the fungi population in check. 2 weeks of use should take care of this.
You can then maintain hydration with an emollient like lanolin.
Approach to severe cases.
Start by
Taking out the top dead cells layer of the scalp.
This will allow other medications to penetrate the skin of the child's scalp and act.
To do this, you will use salicylic acid, sulfur or coal tar for about 2 weeks.
Know that it is going to appear worse because these agents are scalp scrubbers.
After 2 weeks
Switch to ketoconazole, selenium sulfide or zinc pyrithione containing medications to kill or reduce the fungi or yeast population on the scalp for another 2 weeks.
Then
Use emollients like lanolin to help keep the scalp hydrated.
Oily, dry, blonde or colored?
Oily?
Prefer salicylic acid and or coal tar for taking out the flakes and scales.
Dry?
If the scalp is dry, stay away from these two. They will make things worse.
Blonde, chemical or color treated?
Avoid selenium sulfide. Go with ketoconazole or zinc pyrithione instead.
See A Doctor.
Your child will have to see a doctor.
Looking at serious inflammation that will require the use of topical steroids which are not available over-the-counter.
May also be looking at possible scalp infection that will require a good evaluation by the pediatrician.
Worth doing
1. Keep in mind that dandruff is a chronic condition. It cannot be cured. Your focus should be on control.
Once under control, focus on maintenance to prevent it from getting worse.
Last updated by pharmacist on 02/15/2016
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fungus - Malassezia furfur - on the scalp that can cause dandruff.
