16 Month Old with Dry Scalp

Updated on December 15, 2008
R.S. asks from Lincoln, CA
17 answers

I have come to find that my son has very sensitive and dry skin this winter. His back had already broken out with tons of dry patches, which with ritual lotion application, it has gotten better. But now I see that his scalp is really dry also. I see that they DONT make conditioner for children so Im curious, how do i make it better? Wash his head less? apply adult conditioner?
My son gets a bath every night. I was considering washing his head less but he loves to lie back and submerg his head in the tub.
Any ideas?
Thanks

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D.P.

answers from Bakersfield on

my daughter had the same dry "crusty" problem on her baby gil's scalp... she tried lots of products and thought nothing would work... she finally had success with AVENO brand products.... the cost is a little more but her problem is gone...

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A.S.

answers from San Francisco on

California Baby DOES make a baby conditioner. I use it for both of my boys and it is great! I get mine at Rainbow Foods. Also, you can try not shampooing every night, even if he just wets his hair.

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A.B.

answers from Sacramento on

If nothing helped call me please.
###-###-####.A.

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C.F.

answers from Modesto on

Hi,
We just added a baby line (Buritchi) and the shampoo/body wash is very gentle. Let me know if you would like to sample some.
Cynthia

www.thebodyshopathome.com/web/cflesher

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I.L.

answers from Bakersfield on

I have dealt with the same thing with my daughter (now three). Her pediatrician suggested that for her scalp I rub a little baby oil on her head while in the bath. Let it sit for a few minutes then gently scratch/comb the dry skin off the scalp.
Also, she gets really dry flaky patches on her skin (her pediatrician said it's allergy related dermatitis) and a dab of hydrocortisone cream makes it all better!

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V.T.

answers from Redding on

We struggle with cystic hives, psoriasis, eczema and other chronic skin issues in our family and control them with a wonderful product in my personal care line that calms these and most other skin issues. We prefer this alternative to using hydrocortisone products and find it much more effective than using baby oil alone. If you're interested in learning more, follow the link to my website or send me a message.

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S.C.

answers from Sacramento on

he may need vitamins some times a lack of them causes dry skin . you may try a different shampoo.MY graddaughters could not use jhonson,s products their head was really dried out . also the biggest thing is to get all the soap off .good luck S.

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G.B.

answers from San Francisco on

coconut oil applied topically is good. It sinks in good. It is all natural and doesnt have ANY additives like paba or parabens which can mimic hormones. It can bring back the acid base of the skin after soap washes it off. But it can really make skin soft - when you ingest it. I cook our veggies in it, put it in coffee, pop our popcorn in it, etc. taking cod liver oil is good too.

I would be careful putting hydrocortizone on a young child's head. I would not do that.

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C.T.

answers from Sacramento on

We are a sensitive skin family and have tried it all. I will tell you that I was actually in Stanford's Psoraisis clinic at age 19 because it was debilitating and painful. They used tar and other things I would not want my baby to have and so I have learned more about nutrition over the years and here is another example of the value of ESSENTIAL Fatty Acids (omegas, dhea, many more) in the diet and externally..Olive oil is a good soak on the scalp...Some heritages run low in Essential Fatty Acids. I am of Danish, Irish and Italian descent. My father and mother both suffered. Colder weather, stress, but truly, nutritional deficiency, triggers me the most easily!! I was able to sneak the fish oil in liquids until my son caught on and now my kids eat the supplements. Avoid sugar, up the mediteranean foods (even in the little guys and see if this helps along with all of the other good ideas)...I almost forgot. Probiotics...yogurt with this to start...good gut flora..doctors are slow on this but starting to understand..as they have very limited nutrition training in medical school but more and more doctors are looking at this. Also, good shampoos. burts bees is easy to find but the CA Baby one and even another made from rice milk and honey is good on the skin. Try oatmeal as long as your sweet pea is not allergic to oats and almond oil..always good. You will either just have a short term dry scalp with this age or become very aware of skin and allergic sensitivities with your child and it will just become natural to you

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G.R.

answers from Sacramento on

It could be eczema. Ask your ped if it is. If so, no amount of lotion will take care of it, may be a food sensitivity or he may need more good fats in his diet. It isn't anything big to worry about, a little hydrocortisone cream will help.

If it is just dry skin, try Burt's Bees apricot baby oil or almond oil. (Don't use J&J baby oil, too many petroleum products, will make it worse). Rub a little into his scalp, then wash quickly with Baby Shampoo. Also try only washing his hair every other night. Put the oil on his skin coming out of the bathtub, before drying.

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Y.K.

answers from San Francisco on

Raschelle,
Try Almond oil . It really is wonderful and natural. Put a litle ( A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY) on the dry patches and gently massage . I would only wash his hair every other day and see if that works. Hope this helps.
Y.

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K.L.

answers from San Francisco on

My kiddo has very sensitive, rashy skin and has suffered from brief bouts of dry scalp and several points in her life. The key is MOISTURE MOISTURE MOISTURE! Bathe him once every other day in as natural children's bath product as you can get - we tried every single "natural" bath product out there when attempting to find the right combo of stuff for my little one that would clear up the dry skin patches, the outbreaks of eczema, and keratosis pilaris. We finally found the right combo - California Baby bath products are 100% natural with no chemicals, smell great, and are made with a great blend of essential oils that are great for rashy, dry skin. You can buy the baby shampoo, body wash, and even all natural bubble bath at Target (they just started carrying it). I suggest using the all natural bubble bath (its not so bubbly because there are no bubble making chemicals in the product) and the shampoo/body wash combo. If a switch in soap doesn't seem to help his dry scalp, try putting a tiny bit of your own hair conditioner on his hair (You have to be careful not to get it in his eyes when rinsing, though).
After every bath, then lotion up his entire body from head to toe with Eucerine lotion - use the stuff that comes in the little round tub for the super dry spots and the daily use fast absorbing one for the rest of his body. After a few months of this regement, my daughters dry skin, eczema, and keratosis pilaris has disappeared and she has her perfect, baby soft skin back :)

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C.O.

answers from Sacramento on

Babies, even 16 month olds don't need to be bathed every night...soapy baths can be very drying. My son had cradle cap for two years!

Try just bathing 2-3 times a week. Use creams that are intended to moisturize (careful, some lotions are actually drying!!!)

Lubriderm is a good one. I used to use Aveno before I discovered they were bought out by J&J.

Also, healthy diets as mentioned in other posts can help too. Talk to your pediatrician for further assessment.

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D.J.

answers from San Francisco on

I just had my baby in August. Around the third month he developed dry scalp. I used a few drops of olive oil and brushed it through his hair. The next day his scalp was better. I then used a baby wipe to remove the excess oil and wash his hair only once a month. I do however, brush his hair twice a day. I hope this helps.

Also for the dry back try "Baby Bliss" skin creams they are wonderful!

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N.C.

answers from Sacramento on

Hi R.- My almost 3 year old has a very dry scalp. I do bathe him every day, but wash his hair every other bath time, depending on the days activities, basically how sweaty he gets. My pediatrician recommended head and shoulders, I got the shampoo plus conditioner (blue bottle) and it has done wonders. Only draw back is it stings the eyes. I keep a towel close so he can wipe his face, it calms him down. I wash his hair last. I let him play in a bubble bath, wash his body and for the finale do his hair so I can get him out as soon as we're done. He gets to play and I get him clean. Good luck.

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S.M.

answers from Redding on

Hi R.

My 2 year old son has some eczema patches here and there. I have found the most awesome lotion on the planet that heals dry skin and is safe for newborns and up. It healed him, plus he really likes it. In a blind side by side test, Renew lotion won hands down against the leading brand Eucerin. You can only get it through the wellness company I work for. It also healed my cracked and dry hands in one week! We also have a kids line. There is no formaldhyde in any of their products, unlike johnson & johnson. If you are interested in more info, i would be happy to share with you.
MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!

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V.W.

answers from San Francisco on

Dont wash his hair with shampoo every night. Watch out for baby shampoos they are too high in alcohol. Try paul mitchell baby shampoo it didnt used to have alcohol in it. Other wise make sure the alcohol is not in the top five ingredients.

I use conditioner on the back of my babies hair cause his hair mats up and I have never had a problem. I use the Dove intense moisturizing, but dont put it on the top of his head where it could get in his eyes.

A little vaseline over the dry patches on skin and hair works wonders over night.

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