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What Causes Severe Itchy Scalp In A Child?
Question: My child has been scratching his head for about a week or so. I have checked him for lice - no lice. Ive been using the same shampoo on his head for a long time several years at least. So I tried dandruff shampoo to see if that would help. No help so far but I have only used it once. His scalp is clear, Ive looked all over his head especially where he scratches, looks normal. No new foods introduced. Eats what we've always fixed for him.
Should I just keep using dandruff shampoo on him for little while longer ? It's just weird. I don't see any white flakes on his head either.
Should I just keep using dandruff shampoo on him for little while longer ? It's just weird. I don't see any white flakes on his head either.
Brief Answer:
Better is to take him for an in-person evaluation by a Dermatologist !!!
Detailed Answer:
Warm Welcome. I appreciate your trust in HCM and assure you are on best portal on the globe for expert online medical services.
I have thoroughly reviewed health query you raised, and well realize all of those concerns. Being your physician, I will take care all of them today and will extend my expertise to solve the problems.
I feel sorry for the situation your son has. It is awful when it comes to itchy head. With all the history and ruling out the allergens and irritants, I preferably suggest you to take your son to a Dermatologic evaluation as this can be a due to a dermatologic disease. Only white flakes are not the sole presentation of itchy scalp. It may also present without flakes.
Dryness without dandruff may also cause itching scalp. Use of a mild Conditioner after shampooing also helps. Don't shampoo his hair daily. It will be enough for him take a wash with shampoo for twice or thrice only. And yes, you should carry on with anti-dandruff shampoo for a while longer.
I will suggest you to use Anti-Lice shampoo for just two times during this week. It is because sometimes lice are just in a small larval stage and in dense hair or due to similar hair color it is difficult to get them differentiated on a naked eye. His Dermatologist can help you better in this regard too.
Hope I addressed all the concerns you have. Let me know if you have further questions. I will be more than happy to clear any doubts. For any disease you have, a timely follow-up is necessary regarding the treatment efficacy and to see if there is a need to change treatment options. So keep a follow up to see how you doing (Always write down my name in start of your questions at this forum & I will be with you in no time).
Regards!
DR. HANIF
USA
Better is to take him for an in-person evaluation by a Dermatologist !!!
Detailed Answer:
Warm Welcome. I appreciate your trust in HCM and assure you are on best portal on the globe for expert online medical services.
I have thoroughly reviewed health query you raised, and well realize all of those concerns. Being your physician, I will take care all of them today and will extend my expertise to solve the problems.
I feel sorry for the situation your son has. It is awful when it comes to itchy head. With all the history and ruling out the allergens and irritants, I preferably suggest you to take your son to a Dermatologic evaluation as this can be a due to a dermatologic disease. Only white flakes are not the sole presentation of itchy scalp. It may also present without flakes.
Dryness without dandruff may also cause itching scalp. Use of a mild Conditioner after shampooing also helps. Don't shampoo his hair daily. It will be enough for him take a wash with shampoo for twice or thrice only. And yes, you should carry on with anti-dandruff shampoo for a while longer.
I will suggest you to use Anti-Lice shampoo for just two times during this week. It is because sometimes lice are just in a small larval stage and in dense hair or due to similar hair color it is difficult to get them differentiated on a naked eye. His Dermatologist can help you better in this regard too.
Hope I addressed all the concerns you have. Let me know if you have further questions. I will be more than happy to clear any doubts. For any disease you have, a timely follow-up is necessary regarding the treatment efficacy and to see if there is a need to change treatment options. So keep a follow up to see how you doing (Always write down my name in start of your questions at this forum & I will be with you in no time).
Regards!
DR. HANIF
USA
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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