Young children have extremely delicate, sensitive skin. This makes it easy for his or her skin to become dry and irritated. When dry, flaky skin develops on an infant’s head, it’s referred to as baby dandruff.

While baby dandruff can appear as if a significant condition, it’s actually nothing to be alarmed about. Many babies develop dandruff at some point during their infancy. It’s not a symbol of poor hygiene or any quite illness. Baby dandruff normally goes away within every week approximately .

In this post, the baby experts at Mustela will re-evaluate the signs, symptoms, and causes of baby dandruff. Then we’ll explain eight easy ways to worry for your little one’s dry scalp.

What’s Baby Dandruff?

Officially called seborrheic eczema, baby dandruff is more or less an equivalent thing because the dandruff adults may develop — dry, flaky skin on your little one’s scalp.

However, there’s one major difference between baby dandruff and therefore the kind that adults sometimes get. For babies, dandruff may cause a condition called dermatitis .

Cradle cap may be a severe sort of baby dandruff that leads to crusty patches of yellow or red irritated skin. Like baby dandruff, a dermatitis is perfectly normal. Many infants develop cradle caps. In fact, one study estimates that as many as 70 percent of infants will develop dermatitis at some point within the first three months of life.

Baby dandruff and dermatitis aren’t contagious, don’t cause your baby any pain or discomfort, and usually, getaway within every week or two.

With all of that said, it’s important to notice that baby dandruff won’t necessarily become dermatitis . it’s going to just remain in its basic state of dry, flaky skin on your little one’s scalp.

Symptoms Of Baby Dandruff

There are several different signs that your baby has dandruff. Here are a number of the foremost common symptoms:

1. Flaky, dry skin on your baby’s scalp
2. The yellow, red, or pink coloration on and around your baby’s head
3. Dry patches which will be oily, scaly, crusty, or rough to the touch
4. While baby dandruff is unsightly, remember that it rarely causes any discomfort. Baby dandruff isn’t contagious, isn’t caused by poor hygiene habits, and is extremely common in children under one year aged .

At now , you would possibly be wondering the way to tell baby dandruff aside from other skin conditions, like eczema, a rash, or ordinary dry, peeling skin.

First off, all of those other skin conditions won’t form exclusively on your baby’s head. They’re likely to seem everywhere your little one’s body, including their arms, legs, and torso. Baby dandruff, on the opposite hand, are going to be found only on your little one’s scalp.

Second, many other skin conditions, like prickly heat and hives, will appear very suddenly. this may assist you to eliminate baby dandruff because the cause.

Lastly, most other skin conditions will cause your baby noticeable discomfort, while baby dandruff won’t . If your baby has dry, red skin and seems extra fussy, dandruff won’t be the culprit.

Causes Of Baby Dandruff

The very short explanation is that dry skin causes baby dandruff. But this raises the question: what causes the dry skin that results in baby dandruff?

There are a variety of things that will contribute to dry skin and, thus, baby dandruff. Here are a couple of examples:

1. Sunburn on your baby’s scalp
2. Using a harsh shampoo or an excessive amount of shampoo
3. Not rinsing your baby’s head tolerably after shampooing
4. Extreme weather
5. Excess sebum on your baby’s scalp

Some doctors also believe that a yeast called malassezia may cause baby dandruff and dermatitis . This has not yet been confirmed by research.

It’s also important to notice that other skin conditions, like eczema and psoriasis, can sometimes contribute to baby dandruff.

8 Easy Ways to worry For Your Baby’s Dandruff

Now that we’ve covered the symptoms and causes of baby dandruff, let’s re-evaluate eight easy ways to worry about your little one’s dry scalp.

1) Keep Baths Short

It’s crucial to follow a daily hygiene routine together with your little bundle of joy. However, giving your baby long baths a day can actually dry out their delicate, sensitive skin and cause baby dandruff.

It’s perfectly fine — and beneficial, even — to offer your baby a daily bath, as long as you’re keeping the baths short and using the proper baby-friendly products.

Try to keep baths to no quite 10 minutes, albeit your baby has fun playing within the tub. Also, confirm the water temperature is around 98 degrees Fahrenheit (give or take one or two degrees). This temperature is best for keeping your child’s skin healthy.

Use baby-friendly products that are made with natural ingredients and specially formulated for your little one’s delicate skin. Mustela offers a spread of cleansers and other safe bath-time products to require phenomenal care of your little one’s skin.

If you favor , you’ll bathe your child just three or fourfold per week. As long as you’re changing your baby’s diapers the proper way, one bath every other day won’t cause any hygiene issues.

Remember to use a mild micellar water product, like Mustela’s No-Rinse Cleansing Water, that’s safe and effective for your baby to cleanse your child’s skin on days once you don’t bathe them.

2) Use Gentle, Baby-Friendly Shampoo

It’s essential to use a mild shampoo that won’t dry out your little one’s scalp. to worry about your baby’s dandruff or dermatitis, try Mustela’s Foam Shampoo For Newborns. This ultra-gentle shampoo is specially formulated to cleanse your baby’s hair and scalp while softening and rinsing away flakes related to dermatitis.

3) Don’t Use Conditioner

While conditioners provide nutrients and hydration to adults’ hair and scalp, they will actually be harmful when used on infants. this is often because the ingredients in conditioning products for adults tend to be too strong for a child’s delicate skin and scalp.

It’s best to avoid using adult conditioners on your baby’s hair. this is often true whether or not your child features a case of baby dandruff. Instead, choose safe alternatives like Mustela’s Gentle Shampoo or Foam Shampoo for Newborns.

4) Apply ointment To Your Little One’s Scalp

Keeping your child’s scalp hydrated is an important step in treating baby dandruff. Mustela’s ointment will safely moisturize your baby’s head and soothe your little one’s dry scalp. Simply apply a couple of drops to your baby’s head and gently rub it in together with your fingertips.

5) Brush Your Baby’s Head

Brushing your little one’s head is another effective thanks to looking after baby dandruff. confirm that the brush’s bristles are extremely soft.

It’s best to brush your little one’s head after you’ve applied ointment.

The ointment will make sure that your baby’s head is well-hydrated while also loosening up a number of the flaky patches of skin on your child’s scalp. Then, a mild brushing can delicately abrade a number of the dead, flaky skin.

a parent caring for baby dandruff by brushing baby’s head

6) Give Your Baby a mild Head Massage

A gentle head massage will comfort and soothe your baby while also caring for his or her baby dandruff.

As your fingertips move along your little one’s head, a number of the flaky, dead skin will become detached and fall off. this enables your baby’s newer, healthier skin cells to require the place of the skin that has flaked off.

Of course, it’s crucial to be extremely careful and delicate whenever touching your baby’s head. Since your infant’s skull isn’t yet fully developed, you want to be as gentle as possible. Using only your fingertips, simply rub your baby’s scalp. Don’t depress together with your fingers or apply any pressure.

7) Use A Humidifier

A humidifier will help prevent your baby’s skin from drying out, including their scalp. This, in turn, will help to stop and treat baby dandruff. Humidifiers also will allow your baby to breathe a touch easier once they have a chilly.

mother holding baby and nuzzling against her face

8) Consult A Doctor

If it looks like your baby’s dandruff is causing them discomfort or if dandruff lasts quite every week, it’s important to consult a pediatrician. The doctor may prefer to prescribe an antifungal cream or another ointment to assist treat your little one’s dandruff.

Important note: never give your baby any medications — whether prescription or over-the-counter — without lecture a doctor first.

At the top of the day, baby dandruff is nothing to stress about. it’d be a touch unsightly, but it’s a traditional condition that isn’t causing your little bundle of joy any discomfort. With the ideas above and delicate shampoos from Mustela, your baby’s dandruff will heal before you recognize it.