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Dandruff isn't harmful to your child's health. But it can be uncomfortable, not to mention embarrassing. Fortunately, an over-the-counter dandruff shampoo is usually all that's needed to clear up the problem.
Dandruff is a symptom of seborrheic dermatitis, a common skin condition that causes white or yellow flakes and scaly patches on the scalp, face, upper chest, or back. Sometimes the patches can get red, itchy, or irritated.
Dandruff most commonly occurs after puberty, when hormones signal the body to ramp up its production of natural oils. But it can strike at any age. (Even babies can be affected, but when seborrheic dermatitis occurs in infants, we call it cradle cap.)
Over-the-counter dandruff shampoos contain active ingredients that work to slough off scaly, crusty patches and kill fungus or bacteria that contribute to flaking. Some also include corticosteroids as an extra measure to fight itching.
All can be effective, and there's no need to seek out special kid-designated products for children over 2.
"It's absolutely okay to use regular dandruff shampoo [marketed for adults] on kids and adolescents, but you should avoid shampoos containing salicylic acid for children under 2 years of age," says Karan Lal, MD, board-certified adult and pediatric dermatologist with Northwell Health in Hillsborough Township, New Jersey and a spokesperson for the Society for Pediatric Dermatology.
Other experts agree: "If the dandruff is mild, it's fine to try an over-the-counter shampoo on your child," says Britt Craiglow, MD, a board certified pediatric dermatologist and adjunct associate professor of dermatology at Yale University
The right shampoo should clear up dandruff within a week or two, though it may take some trial and error to find the one that works best for your child. You might also need to rotate between two shampoos to keep the dandruff under control, according to the Mayo Clinic.
How we chose best dandruff shampoos for kids
There are so many dandruff shampoos on the market and the formulations seem so similar that picking just one can be difficult. So we started by searching through millions of comments on BabyCenter's Community, looking for the dandruff shampoos that parents buy, use for their own families, and recommend to each other.
Once we found their favorites, we enlisted our expert editorial team to winnow down the list to options that meet criteria from the experts we consulted as well as health advocacy groups like the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). After that, we reduced the list to options that are widely available, reasonably priced, and effective for most who tried them.
The result: Keep reading to find our favorite medicated dandruff shampoo for kids, the best moisturizing dandruff shampoo for kids, and more. And if you're looking for more hair products for kids, our favorite baby washes and shampoos and hair care products for curly-haired kids can help.
The drugstore staple uses pyrithione zinc to control flakes, fight itch, and wash away excess oil. Plus it can be lathered and rinsed just like regular shampoo, so there's less need to worry over whether your child will use it correctly.
Heads up
A handful of users complain that the shampoo is drying.
Specs
- Active ingredient: pyrithione zinc
- 13.5 ounces
Selenium sulfide fights fungus that can lead to flakes while sloughing off existing ones, and cooling menthol soothes itchiness and irritation. The quick lather formula doesn't need to sit on your child's scalp for an extended period.
Heads up
Selenium sulfide can cause scalp or hair discoloration if it stays on for too long, so make sure it's rinsed out of your child's hair quickly.
Specs
- Active ingredient: selenium sulfide
- 11 ounces
Some anti-dandruff shampoos have the potential to be drying. Not this one, which is enriched with coconut oil to keep hair and scalps hydrated. The main flake fighter is pyrithione zinc.
Heads up
The shampoo is a particularly good pick for curly or textured hair.
Specs
- Active ingredient: pyrithione zinc
- 13.5 ounces
Fragrance is the leading cause of allergic contact dermatitis according to the American Academy of Dermatology, so when you're seeking anything to go on sensitive skin, think "fragrance-free." Made without added fragrances, essential oils, or dyes, this gentle-but-effective pick keeps sensitive scalps from getting irritated while getting rid of flakes with pyrithione zinc.
Heads up
The product works best when it's left on the scalp for several minutes.
Specs
- Active ingredient: pyrithione zinc
- 8 ounces
The pyrithione zinc-based formula is clinically proven to nix flakes fast. Plus the added conditioner with vitamin E and wheat proteins will leave your child's hair soft and manageable without the need for a second product.
Heads up
Unlike Neutrogena's standard T/Gel shampoo, this product does not contain coal tar.
Specs
- Active ingredient: pyrithione zinc
- 8.5 ounces
At under $6 a bottle, this shampoo kicks flakes to the curb without putting a dent in your wallet. The mild formula, made with coconut and shea butter, soothes dryness and itching too.
Heads up
Kids with oilier scalps or hair may find this shampoo too heavy.
Specs
- Active ingredient: pyrithione zinc
- 12 ounces
This shampoo harnesses the plant-based power of tea tree oil, which studies have shown can be effective at reducing dandruff. "This is an ingredient to look for if you prefer a more natural option," Dr. Craiglow says. Plus it packs 2 percent salicylic acid for sloughing away existing flakes fast.
Heads up
Plant-derived ingredients can be irritating for sensitive skin, Dr. Craiglow warns. If you're not sure how your child's scalp will respond, have her do a patch test before lathering up.
Specs
- Active ingredient: salicylic acid
- 14 ounces
Cradle cap can be managed with a mild baby shampoo, notes the American Academy of Pediatrics. This simple, unscented option enriched with chamomile essence fits the bill while keeping your baby's sensitive skin soft and supple.
Heads up
This option isn't formulated specifically for cradle cap, so you can keep using it after your baby's scalp clears up.
Specs
Made with less than 1 percent pyrithione zinc, this medicated option is formulated for babies or toddlers with stubborn cradle cap or dandruff. (Unlike salicylic acid, the ingredient is considered safe for tots.) But it still manages to be gentle on young skin, thanks for the fact that it's free of added fragrances and dyes.
Heads up
For best results, leave this shampoo on for a minute or two before rinsing it out.
Parents say
"My son had cradle cap bad! It was thick and smelled terrible. I started using Dr. Eddie's Happy Cappy medicated shampoo and it improved in a couple weeks, along with combing the scales. The cradle cap started at 3 or 4 weeks, it's been 5 months and you can't even tell."
"My son had a pretty bad cradle cap once during winter. I used it on him 3 times and it's gone for good. "
Specs
- Active ingredient: pyrithione zinc
- 8 ounces
Dandruff, while not typically medically harmful, can be a source of embarrassment for kids and teens, and over-the-counter dandruff shampoos are inexpensive but can be a big help. Keep in mind that you might need to try a few options before finding a shampoo that works for your kid's scalp, since different shampoos are made with different active ingredients, says the Mayo Clinic. You may get the best results by switching between two shampoos too.
In some instances it may be worth getting help from your child's pediatrician. "If there is severe associated itch, swelling, or open sores it's best to see a physician," Dr. Craiglow says. You should also contact your child's doctor if over-the-counter dandruff shampoos haven't solved the problem within a couple of months.
Toddlers and babies with cradle cap (an infant form of dandruff that can also cause redness or scaliness around the neck, armpits, or ears) don't need dandruff shampoo. Frequent washing with a mild baby shampoo plus soft brushing is usually enough to remove the flakes and scales, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
If you opt to use a medicated shampoo, you should avoid products containing salicylic acid. "For cradle cap, it's best to stick with shampoos containing zinc pyrithione and/or selenium sulfide," Dr. Craiglow recommends.
Dandruff shampoos can get their flake-fighting power from a few different active ingredients. All can be effective, though some may work better on certain scalps than others, and it's not uncommon to need to try a few different options before finding a good fit.
"I usually recommend patients alternate zinc/sulfur shampoos with salicylic acid shampoos for a better outcome if they are over 2 years of age," says Dr. Lal.
Commonly used active ingredients include:
- Pyrithione zinc: An antibacterial and antifungal agent.
- Salicylic acid: Can help slough off flake-causing scales.
- Selenium sulfide: An antifungal agent. Selenium sulfide has the potential to discolor the hair or scalp, so should be rinsed thoroughly after use.
- Ketoconazole: Another type of antifungal agent.
- Coal tar: Slows the rate at which flake-causing scales form on the scalp. It can also discolor hair and make the scalp more sensitive to sunlight.
- Fluocinolone: A corticosteroid that helps control itching and irritation.
Most over-the-counter dandruff shampoos are considered safe to use in adolescents and children over 2, say Dr. Lal and Dr. Craiglow. But you should avoid shampoos made with salicylic acid for babies and toddlers under 2.
"There is a small risk for salicylic acid to be absorbed in the skin and cause toxicity," Dr. Craiglow says.
Steer clear of using shampoos with coal tar on kids as well, recommends the American Academy of Dermatology. It hasn't been studied extensively in children, plus it can make the scalp more sensitive if exposed to sunlight.
It's fine to use a standard over-the-counter dandruff shampoo for kids and teens 2 and older, Dr. Lal and Dr. Craiglow advise. But if you have questions or concerns about a product or ingredient, there's no harm in running it by your child's pediatrician before lathering up.
Once flakes enter into the equation, plan for dandruff shampoo to become a part of your child's bath or shower routine for a while.
"Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic condition, so routine use of anti-dandruff shampoos is usually necessary," Dr. Craiglow says. "Most people will do well using a shampoo two to three times weekly."
Alternating shampoos with different active ingredients often yields the best results. "For instance, a salicylic acid shampoo can help reduce the scaling while one with zinc pyrithione or selenium sulfide will target the yeast that is causing the dandruff," says Dr. Craiglow.
Read the instructions carefully before washing your child's hair, or go over them together if your child is old enough to suds up on her own. Some dandruff shampoos need to be left on the scalp for a certain length of time before rinsing, for instance, while others should be rinsed immediately.
Finally, pay attention to what kind of progress is being made. You should let your child's pediatrician know if your child's scalp isn't improving or gets worse after several weeks of using a dandruff shampoo. In that case, a prescription-strength shampoo or steroid lotion might be needed.
There's no need to supervise bath or shower sessions if your child typically washes her own hair. But you should read over the directions together to make sure she understands how to use the shampoo.
"It's important that these shampoos be thought of as scalp treatments, so kids should be instructed on appropriate use," Dr. Craiglow says.
Over-the-counter dandruff shampoos are generally safe for teens and kids aged 2 and up, and they can help kids feel less self-conscious. "Dandruff can cause a lot of anxiety for kids and is a common cause of bullying according to some of my patients," Dr. Lal says.
It's normal to need to use medicated shampoos on a regular basis to keep the flakes under control, since dandruff tends to be a chronic problem. But if a product isn't helping your child's dandruff after a few weeks, or her scalp is very itchy, irritated, or has open sores, stop using the shampoo and contact the pediatrician. Together you can discuss other options for managing your child's dandruff.
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