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?

Try an apple cider vinegar rinse. If he has drier hair then use a higher ratio of water to vinegar - so about 1 tbs to 8 oz, if he has greasier hair then you can use 3 or 4 tbs. Add in a few drops of tea tree oil and mix in a spray bottle. Try to use a non lathering shampoo that is free from sulfates and parabens, then after shampooing, spray the mixture on the scalp and massage in. You can leave it in or rinse it out. If you leave it in it will smell like vinegar whilst it's drying but won't smell once it's dry.

It's white flaky rather than greasy I think. His hair is very short and he can definitely get away with washing it less. He usually showers daily and washes his hair so will get him to stop washing his hair for a week except with plain water and see if it improves before trying the various shampoos.

It's all very odd as he doesn't suffer from dry skin elsewhere on his body and never has.

We had great success with the clear TGel for itchy, sensitive scalp. Used it for a good while and can now manage with Head and Shoulders type stuff (usually bargain brands)! It's not cheap but doesn't really have a smell and is much gentler than the brown TGel, though we have used that occasionally (not recommended for younger children).

I was also going to suggest vinegar. DD suffers from really bad dandruff (almost colonies of it on her scalp). I spray white vinegar directly on to her scalp, wait 5 minutes, then shampoo and it completely clears it. It only needs to be done every 8 weeks or so to keep on top of it.

I have tried t-gel, the nizor whatever stuff, and vinegar is the only thing that worked.

We buy it in 5 litre containers at the Asian supermarket for next to nothing. I also use it for stinky armpits on clothes and for around taps and shoer heads. Vinegar is the best!

DD age 10 gets dandruff (had cradle cap as a child and its never properly gone). I asked in the pharmacy, they suggested an E45 dandruff shampoo but that did nothing. I tried a Vosene dandruff shampoo and that worked much better. So I think it's a case of trying different ones until you find one that works for your DS.
I get a dry itchy scalp too and mentioned it to my hairdresser, she said anything with tea tree is good, and I now use a shampoo I buy from her called KMS which has been great.
The only reason to go to the doctor is if the scalp gets infected.

PS Beryl - thanks for the vinegar tips - I have a massive container of it too but hadn't thought to use it on DDs head or DHs smelly shirts!

My husband uses a shampoo called Nature's Gate which isn't specifically for dandruff but works really well to clear it gently. He bought it on a trip to the USA and now buys it from Amazon.