Dry scalp for baby/infants

The skin of babies is particularly sensitive, as full functionality is only developed within the first years. For example, the sebaceous glands, which form the important fat film on the skin, are not yet fully mature. This means that there is no essential protection against excessively dry skin.

If the child is then exposed to factors that can cause a dry scalp, it develops more quickly than in adults. The skin then requires special care, should not be washed too hot and should be regularly treated with special moisturizing creams. If dry skin is accompanied by redness or even blistering, a pediatrician should rule out a skin disease.

A skin disease that typically begins in childhood is neurodermatitis (atopic eczema). It is a chronic inflammatory disease. It is characterized by dry, scaly and very itchy skin.

In addition, rashes occur, which appear weeping and crusty due to constant scratching. Neurodermatitis occurs in relapses and can disappear spontaneously until puberty. However, the rash is not limited to the scalp, but also occurs on the extremities and other parts of the body.

A cure does not yet exist. Neurodermatitis can, however, be treated: the first priority is the proper care of the skin and possibly treatment with glucocorticoid ointments and itching. However, other skin diseases in children can also manifest themselves through dry skin and dandruff formation: for example, ichtyoses (“fish scale disease”), in which a thickened horny layer, fish-like scales and dry skin all over the body are present.

It is a hereditary skin disease that is treated with special ointments but cannot be cured. In most cases of dry scalp in babies or children, it is not a skin disease and can be well treated by proper skin care. Both children and adults should use mild shampoos, avoid too hot or air-conditioned air.

One speaks of pathological hair loss when more than 100 hairs are lost over the course of a day. The most frequent forms of hair loss are genetically determined with up to 95% and are therefore only rarely due to a dry scalp due to reduced sebum production.Nevertheless, hair loss can also occur in the context of a dry scalp that is not treated. Especially in the context of skin diseases or systemic diseases, hair loss can occur simultaneously with dry, scaly and itchy scalp.

This is for example the case with skin diseases such as neurodermatitis or psoriasis. Another disease that can cause these symptoms simultaneously is hypothyroidism. Here, hair loss can occur evenly distributed over the entire head.

The hypothyroidism can also manifest itself with other symptoms, such as tiredness, brittle nails or brittle hair or weight gain with reduced appetite. If some of these symptoms occur together, the function of the thyroid gland should be clarified by a doctor. Furthermore, the symptoms can also be caused by an iron deficiency.

This can also cause dry skin and hair loss. The hair is very brittle and itching or burning of the scalp can occur. Furthermore, the skin is rather pale and fatigue and weakness may occur. By taking iron tablets, the symptoms usually improve quickly. The iron deficiency and also the underfunction of the thyroid gland can be determined by the blood values.