Scalp question

[MEF01]

I know this is going to sound gross but I was french braiding my daughters hair and noticed a lot of flakes. At first I freaked because i thought it was lice but it's not, definitely not. There was a flake (for lack of a better word) about an inch long that just peeled off her scalp. I also noticed a couple of very small orangey colored spots on her scalp.

Could this be that her scalp is extremely dry and I'm not buying the right shampoo for her? I also tell her to keep rinsing her hair even when she thinks the shampoo is all out just to make sure she's getting it all out in the shower. she lets her hair air dry because she hates the hair dryer.

I have a call into her pediatrician to call me when possible but in the meantime, should I be calling a dermatologist instead? Any suggestions or experience with this?

 

[wvjules]

I would go to a dermatologist. Could be scalp psoriasis.

 

[Magpie]

I know this is going to sound gross but I was french braiding my daughters hair and noticed a lot of flakes. At first I freaked because i thought it was lice but it's not, definitely not. There was a flake (for lack of a better word) about an inch long that just peeled off her scalp. I also noticed a couple of very small orangey colored spots on her scalp.

Could this be that her scalp is extremely dry and I'm not buying the right shampoo for her? I also tell her to keep rinsing her hair even when she thinks the shampoo is all out just to make sure she's getting it all out in the shower. she lets her hair air dry because she hates the hair dryer.

I have a call into her pediatrician to call me when possible but in the meantime, should I be calling a dermatologist instead? Any suggestions or experience with this?

How old is your daughter? There's a very, very common condition called cradle cap that can last up into older childhood - though it's more often seen in babies and toddlers. My son had orangey crusts on his scalp until he was about 7 and that's what it was.

Treatment is simple - massage baby oil into the scalp, let it soak in, then gently lift the crusts off with a fine tooth comb, and then shampoo the oil out of the kids hair.

Repeat when crusts return.

 

[MEF01]

Thank you for the response. I'll have to ask the pediatrician for a referral/recommendation to a dermatologist . I've never heard of psoriasis on the scalp.

 

[MEF01]

How old is your daughter? There's a very, very common condition called cradle cap that can last up into older childhood - though it's more often seen in babies and toddlers. My son had orangey crusts on his scalp until he was about 7 and that's what it was.

Treatment is simple - massage baby oil into the scalp, let it soak in, then gently lift the crusts off with a fine tooth comb, and then shampoo the oil out of the kids hair.

Repeat when crusts return.

She's 10. I'll try the baby oil tonight. THank you!

 

[taximomfor4]

did she get sunburn on her scalp recently? I have done that several times, and it peels in big flakes,etc.

 

[heatherleigh]

I think it sounds just like the cradle cap someone else mentioned. My kids never had that, but I read about the symptoms.

I know the baby aisle at the store carries a scalp treatment for this condition. I cannot remember the brand, but it comes in a light green bottle. I want to say it is "California" something or another. I've seen it at Walgreens- it's pretty ubiquitous so I don't think you'll have trouble finding it.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

I would go to a dermatologist. Could be scalp psoriasis.

I was thinking the same thing. I know there is treatment for it as my DSD has very bad psoriasis all over her body. We used a special foam for her scalp and it worked really well. She's an adult now so I'm sure what she is currently using. A dermatologist can help.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Before going to the dermatologist, you might want to try Head & Shoulders or a Tea Tree shampoo for awhile.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

did she get sunburn on her scalp recently? I have done that several times, and it peels in big flakes,etc.

That's exactly what I was gonna post. It sounds like this is more likely since it peeled off in a big flake. I have had this happen to me and my DD15 also got sunburned on her scalp. It's really easy to do (you can't put sunblock on your scalp. you can wear a hat, that's about all the sun protection you can get) and not realize. I would wait a week or so before going to a dermitologist (sp) and see if it clears up. It won't harm her to wait and if it is just sunburn, you will have saved yourself a copay.

 

[MEF01]

did she get sunburn on her scalp recently? I have done that several times, and it peels in big flakes,etc.

Hmmm, I don't think so but it's possible.

I think it sounds just like the cradle cap someone else mentioned. My kids never had that, but I read about the symptoms.

I know the baby aisle at the store carries a scalp treatment for this condition. I cannot remember the brand, but it comes in a light green bottle. I want to say it is "California" something or another. I've seen it at Walgreens- it's pretty ubiquitous so I don't think you'll have trouble finding it.

I looked up pictures of psoriasis of the scalp and cradle cap and it doesn't look like psoriasis and a little like cradle cap.

Before going to the dermatologist, you might want to try Head & Shoulders or a Tea Tree shampoo for awhile.

I had her using tea tree shampoo for 2 weeks then switched to head and shoulders last week. There hasn't been much change.

That's exactly what I was gonna post. It sounds like this is more likely since it peeled off in a big flake. I have had this happen to me and my DD15 also got sunburned on her scalp. It's really easy to do (you can't put sunblock on your scalp. you can wear a hat, that's about all the sun protection you can get) and not realize. I would wait a week or so before going to a dermitologist (sp) and see if it clears up. It won't harm her to wait and if it is just sunburn, you will have saved yourself a copay.

You think this would explain the orange spots? I'm still waiting for the doc to call back but in the meantime I appreciate all of your responses! You've been very helpful.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

Hmmm, I don't think so but it's possible.



I looked up pictures of psoriasis of the scalp and cradle cap and it doesn't look like psoriasis and a little like cradle cap.



I had her using tea tree shampoo for 2 weeks then switched to head and shoulders last week. There hasn't been much change.



You think this would explain the orange spots? I'm still waiting for the doc to call back but in the meantime I appreciate all of your responses! You've been very helpful.

Oh, I didn't realize it has lasted 2 weeks. I was thinking just that the timing (the beginning of summer) of the onset pointed to sunburn, that and the big flakes. So it's a good thing you called the dr. It may be cradle cap. But whatever it is, it's a darn good thing it's not lice
That is NO FUN to go thru. My DD got it from (i'm almost 100% sure) a hat she tried on in Walmart. It spread to both me and my other DD. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy. But I did discover the perfect home remedy!
Let us know how it goes!