DEAR HARRIETTE: My 7-year-old daughter has dandruff. I don't understand it. I wash her hair thoroughly and condition it well. She doesn't share hairbrushes with other children. She has dandruff that you can't even believe. I need to get this under control. -- Flaky, Salt Lake City
DEAR FLAKY: Guess what? Dandruff is a common scalp condition for children and adults. I know that doesn't make it any easier for you to handle, but it is important to know that you are not alone in your struggle to get your daughter's dandruff under control.
Experts suggest that dandruff may be caused by a number of things, including not washing the hair often enough or even washing it too much. Oily skin or particularly dry scalps can be culprits as well. Skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis may be contributors. Even the weather or dryness of the air can pose a higher chance for you to experience dandruff. (See The Mayo Clinic's thoughts here: mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dandruff/basics/causes/con-20023690).
There are many over-the-counter solutions that have worked for people, including Selsun Blue and Sulphur 8. I can tell you from experience that neither of these products has a winning aroma, but they work when used together. If you use over-the-counter products that do not work in a few weeks' time, go to your daughter's pediatrician for more help.