Using olive oil on baby's scalp (gel, Walmart, head, conditioner)

[crisan]

My 1 year is always scratching her head at night. Last night was the worst since she woke up completely and just cried. So I put olive oil because the only thing my doctor recommended was Neutrogena t/gel which I used the night before. Her hair is oily now.

So how do wash her hair without using shampoo? Is there an alternative to olive oil? I know next time I will apply it directly to the scalp.

[WindblownHair]

Conditioner has mild surfactants in it, so you can wash her hair with it, need to leave it on at least 15 minutes for it to work. You might try aloe vera gel (the pure stuff, I use Fruit of the earth, which you can find at walmart). Oil applied directly to the scalp may cause more problems, it will throw off the PH balance of the acid mantle.

[Wurzig]

What does her scalp look like? Cradle cap? Eczema (not sure if I spelled that correctly). Lice from day care? (Sometimes they are REALLY hard to see). Does she use a little pillow? Have you changed detergents? I used Ivory Snow and I think another one in a pink box that was gentle. Dreft? Has she shared a cap with another kid?

If she is 'always' doing it, there is a problem that might be coming from the 'inside'.....is her other skin dry or just her scalp? Allergies? Have you tried adding a little more oil to her diet? (Not her head.....but her food.....even if it's soft french fries that are cooked in oil or soft cookies that have butter in the recipe).

Have you tried something like Johnson's Baby Oil? They've been around forever.....

Why don't you want to use Johnson's Baby Shampoo? (Or did you use this in the past?) It's very gentle..... Seems like they have one with lavendar and chamomile in it now...maybe that would be more soothing...

For the worst itchy spots, try a cream like Cort Aid or even a store brand that is similar....it'll help with the itch. It might be better than olive oil......that sounds messy to me......

They have Aveeno oatmeal packets that you can put in baths when you have chicken pox, poison oak, etc. Maybe you could use that as a temporary shampoo?

I know you're worried and stressed...I hate to see babies in pain, poor little thing......maybe somebody will suggest something else that can help you.....good luck.

[AnonChick]

Dr. Bronner's has a mild castile baby soap that you can use on your child's head. I'm a little concerned though: how is it, that you didn't know, that putting oil on your child's hair would make it oily?