13 year old with dandruff - GP or DIY?

[LunaLoveg00d]

I have a 13.5 year old boy with a very flaky scalp - just like when he was a baby and had cradle cap. It's not particularly noticeable as he is very fair, and he says it's not itchy or sore. He doesn't use anything on his hair (which is very short) apart from shampoo - no gel, spray or colours. We have tried the Head and Shoulders type shampoo but it doesn't appear to be making a difference.

So, GP or just keep trying different shampoo to find one which suits him?

[ItchyFoot]

Try the body shops ginger anti dandruff shampoo. If it isn't hurting or itching I wouldn't bother with the gp unless it gets worse.

[Meadows76]

We use vote every, sticks but works. There are a few shampoos you could try that supermarkets sell too

[reallyanotherone]

Gp for dandruff? Really?

Who has the problem with it? If it's not noticeable, itchy, or sore, what's the problem? Is he wanting do to do something about it or have you noticed it and think something should be done? I know my in-laws went on and on about me "doing something" about dc cradle cap, seeing Dr's, going to the hospital to have it washed (!) when it really was no big deal to Dc or me and was fine left alone.

Stick with gentle shampoos and leave it be unless it starts bothering him.

[viques]

Are you serious? the NHS in financial crisis and you want to take up a valuable GP appointment with dandruff? Try Dr Google, ask your pharmacist, but please do not book a GP appointment .

sorry to be abrupt but one of the reasons the NHS is in such dire straits is that people abuse the system , unnecessary GP appointments, ambulances called out for trivial reasons, A and E clogged with non emergencies, prescriptions filled and the drugs not used, prescriptions demanded for available over the counter medicines etc etc.

We are so lucky to have the NHS but IMO, however unpopular it is ,I think it is up to everyone to safeguard it by not abusing it.

[LunaLoveg00d]

Hang on - I am not a doctor! I don't know whether the flaky scalp is dandruff, eczema, psoriasis or any number of other skin complaints. I am assuming boring old dandruff, but only because that seems the most likely explanation. I am certainly not "abusing" the system.

It isn't bothering him too much but he is quite self-conscious at the best of times and really doesn't need year another reason to stand out from the crowd. Can't really rub olive oil into his scalp as I did when he was a baby, but trying the baby cradle cap shampoo may work I suppose.

[quicklydecides]

Honestly without being mean if you had to pay even a tenner for a GP appointment it would help you to decide if you should try shampoo first!!!!!
This nonsense is absolutely and directly because of free appointments.
And it's endemic.

[viques]

Ok, you are not a doctor. so ask your pharmacist.

[Emochild]

Get some T-gel shampoo -works wonders

GP is legitimate but only after you have exhausted other options

[LunaLoveg00d]

Will try the T-gel. Not buying Body Shop anything - they are part of Nestle and we boycott them. May also try the baby cradle cap shampoo if I can remember that far back as to which type we had.

[PotteringAlong]

I second the body shop ginger shampoo. And the complete lack of need for a gp's appointment.

[PotteringAlong]

Ah, cross post. It really works though...

[Cocolepew]

I second the TGel, DH had a very flakey scalp, almost like cradle cap, and it worked within 2 washes. Stinks though.

[Cakescakescakes]

Make sure you get the brown Tgel not the clear one. It's fantastic.

[daisychicken]

Ask your pharmacist- ds (14) has a dandruff problem that looks similar to cradle cap. Head and shoulders and other anti dandruff shampoo's didn't help at all. I spoke to our hairdresser first and she mentioned a shampoo that is on the shelf but only stocked at a pharmacy. The pharmacist said it was a bacterial overgrowth causing the dandruff and found the shampoo.

Shampoo is called Nizoral and is in a red/pink box costing around £8 (can buy on offer so cheaper). You use it 1-2 times a week, just a 5p size blob so it lasts ages and in between times you need to use a gentle shampoo such as baby shampoo.

Ds has a completely cleared scalp and no dandruff within about 1-2 weeks.

Only issue now is when he stops using the shampoo, the problem comes back though much milder. I plan to speak to the pharmacist next time i go to buy the shampoo and check long term use is ok.

[Meadows76]

Nothing wrong with a routine doctors appointment to have it checked over. There are numerous skin complaints it could be, all,of which are treatable in different ways. Definitely try with some shampoos first but if it doesn't improve make a doctors appointment, that is what they are for

[daisychicken]

TGel didn't work for ds btw but if cheaper (I can't remember) then worth trying first.

[Meadows76]

You can buy nizoral in Tesco.

[daisychicken]

Thanks Meadows - ours didn't last time i looked but I'll look again!

[Chemistria]

hey

I suddenly developed dandruff when I was 13 and remembered reading in Shout magazine (!) that vinegar worked wonders. Anyway i washed my hair in brown vinegar (I left it on a few minutes) but it literally got rid of it immediately. Not sure if i was just lucky but it's worth a try

[ItchyFoot]

Ok no body shop but not tgel! Used it for over ten years for my dandruff and psoriasis and it never really worked properly and gave me spots all over (which is a known side effect)

[LunaLoveg00d]

Based on experience with my own eczema and dry skin it's probably a case of trying lots until we find the one which suits him.

[eurochick]

You really can't see a GP for a bit of dandruff!

My scalp always gets particularly dry at this time of year when the central heating comes on. I don't recommend anything in particular. I've tried just about every product out there and nothing works for me 100% but some products have improved it temporarily.

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

Another vote for Nizaral, although it contains an anti fungal so make sure you follow the instructions.

I have tried so many things, and it seems to be the only thing that works on me.

[Meadows76]

You really can't see a GP for a bit of dandruff! no but you CAN see them to determine whether or not it is dandruff or something else.

[Roseformeplease]

I have done extensive research into this. (NB, am just an ordinary person, not proper research)

There are actually 2 types of dandruff - oily dandruff (yellowish flakes) and dry dandruff (white flakes). The oily one is caused by a fungus and you need Coal Tar or Nizoral (chemist from behind the counter). For dry dandruff, which is linked to eczema and dry skin, which I have, you need to stay away from these as they are too harsh. They help to start with and then you strip away the cells but leave skin irritated, it dries out, more dandruff.

I have found a few thinks work for me:

Oilatum intense clears it up quickly but, long term, can be a bit harsh.

Eucerin do a shampoo (and their skin care stuff is great) and a lotion, both of which you can buy on Amazon. The shampoo is Dermo Capillaire and the lotion is the same.

I then turned to conditioners and found out tea tree / ginger / mint are good and now use a Philip Kingsley conditioner for dry scalp. Avoid Kerastase - too harsh. Kingsley stuff is on eBay and is brilliant.

Also, wash hair less. I know that seems mad but a day with your own scalp oils helps. I have always washed daily but now am every other day and often chuck in an extra shampoo free day if I am at home at the weekends.

The only thing your GP can really prescribe is Betnovate for the scalp. It gets rid of the eczema but stings (alcohol based) and does nothing for the dandruff. The Eucerin scalp lotion is much better.

If you want to spend very little money, and he doesn't mind grease, then coconut oil or a blend of that with tea tree really work. My hair is long and it is a faff to wash out. But, if you got his hair very short, that would probably help.

Also, diet helps. Oily fish (or fish oil tablets). Nuts and seeds. Olive oil on things. And, if it is the oily dandruff, then sunshine works too, as does swimming in the sea. Both of those are bad for dry dandruff and swimming pools are a nightmare.

Basically, if he has dry skin on his head, treat it for dry skin.

Hope that helps.