How to Get Rid of Dandruff on a 20-Month-Old
Dandruff is caused when the skin cells from the scalp are renewed by the body at a faster rate than normal; the result is dry skin flakes seen in the hair or on the shoulders. This is a common condition in adults, and there are many remedies available to eradicate dandruff symptoms. If you have a 20-month-old with dandruff, however, gentler methods--preferably nonmedicated--are required. When applied several times a week, these steps should get rid of your toddler's dandruff and restore a healthy scalp.
Instructions
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Massage a small amount of olive or almond oil into your 20-month-old's scalp; leave the oil on the hair for 10 to 15 minutes.
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Gently brush your 20-month-old's hair. The brush bristles will loosen dry skin cells, bringing them to the surface of the hair to be removed by shampooing.
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Monitor how much shampoo is being used on your 20-month-old. An amount the size of a dime is sufficient to get hair clean; too much can actually cause dandruff if the shampoo is not properly removed from the scalp.
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Wet your 20-month-old's hair with warm water, and apply mild shampoo, rubbing the scalp gently with your fingers to remove the oil that was massaged into it. Do this for several minutes; a thorough rinse with warm water will keep the shampoo from leaving residue on the scalp.
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Dry your 20-month-old's scalp with a soft cloth that has the ability to exfoliate--such as terry cloth or a nappy cotton. Gently scrub the scalp, bringing additional dry flakes to the surface of the hair. Brush the hair again to remove the flakes from the drying hair.
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Tips & Warnings
Dandruff and dry skin conditions can run in families; if either of the 20-month-old's parents suffer from dandruff, the toddler can as well.
Dandruff is not common in young children; it is recommended that your pediatrician look at your child to rule out other issues, such as ringworm or eczema, that could be causing dandruff-like symptoms.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit drying of hair by a hair drier to the little girl image by Sergey Galushko from Fotolia.com
