My 5yo dd has a super itchy scalp lately! No lice now or ever, but she's scratching it like crazy and has scratch marks all over. She does have sensitive skin, has had slight eczema issues on her hands and feet. But can't use that lotion on her scalp, what can we use? Thanks!
There was a time, that when my Husband was stressed, his scalp got very itchy.
For him, it was stress.
If she has sensitive skin make sure you are using a sensitive shampoo on her too. something without parabins strong sufates, fragrances (important) and dyes. California Baby makes a good sensitive baby shampoo but since she is 5 she may be ready for adult shampoo. Natures Gate is good as are others at the health store.
Look for rash or I vote for looking closer for lice. Use a flashlight right against the scalp.
My grandson started this a couple of months ago. Turned out to be lice. They were very hard to see.
Try an apple cider vinegar and water rinse. Mix about three tablespoons in a large cup of warm water. Wet her hair and then pour the rinse on making sure it gets on her scalp. Leave it on for several minutes. Then rinse and wash.
You may want to switch shampoos, too.
Because of the eczema issues, I'd definitely switch her to as gentle and natural a shampoo as possible. Also, don't wash her hair very often - twice a week is the MOST I wash my girls' hair (even though they have nightly baths). They just don't need it the way adults do.
A friend of mine just said she had good luck with Aveeno brand shampoo for her toddler. She has eczema, too. I have only seen it in the baby shampoo section. I would try that :)
Good luck!
Are you sure it's not fungal (ringworm?)?
See if a little Tinactin cream clears it up.
It's also possible she has a yeast infection on her scalp.
Try adding 1 cup of plain yogurt to her bath water (and rinse her hair with it).
I would get her checked for lice by someone who specializes in doing that. They are often invisible to the naked eye.
Try some cold pressed coconut oil, you can find it with the other oils in the grocery store. You can add a little to her food (she'll never know it's there) and you can rub it between your palms to melt it and apply it to her scalp. It also works great for animal coats when you add a dab to your cat and dog food. Coconut oil is a superfood.
Does she have eczema cream that the doctor recommended? Ask the pediatrician about shampoos as well.
Meanwhile, especially if her scalp is flaky: We do a really good hard brushing then I massage olive oil (warmed in the microwave or you can leave the warming out) into my daughter's scalp, using a comb to scrub it very gently into the flakes. Put on a plastic shower cap and let it sit a while. Tell her it's a really special spa treatment. Wash it out (it'll take two latherings and the hair may seem a little oily for a day or so but it also will be soft and shiny and healthy). For my daughter that takes care of itch for a long while and gets flakes off the scalp for a very long time afterward.
If the hair still seems too oily for you, use white vinegar (not cider vinegar, white vinegar) in a 50/50 combo with water and work it into the hair before a wash - leave it on for a short while too. Be SURE it does not get near her eyes- it would do no real damage but would sting.
I have had the exact same issue with my 5 y/o! She doesn't generally have sensitive skin, however, and I have looked VERY closely for lice on multiple occasions, so I'm glad I've ruled that out, but it is puzzling. I got some good advice here too, so thanks for asking!
Is there any scaling or flaking? Could be dandruff. Both of my boys get dandruff occasionally and a couple of washes with Head and Shoulders gets rid of it.
