Scaling Scalp Diseases in Children

Scaling scalp diseases in 142 children were evaluated. Included were seborrheic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, tinea capitis, and psoriasis. Clinical signs were noted, and various treatments were then undertaken. Patients with seborrheic dermatitis responded well to treatment with antiseborrheic shampoo and topical corticosteroids. Atopic disease was more resistant to treatment, but did improve with less frequent shampooing and twice daily topical corticosteroid application. Selenium shampoo was a useful adjunct in the treatment of tinea capitis (cultures became negative at two weeks compared to persistent positivity in other treatment groups).