Dr Phil Kieran: What can my teen daughter do about scaly crust on her scalp? 

Seborrhoeic dermatitis most commonly starts during adolescence, when the glands produce more and different oils.

Seborrhoeic dermatitis in its mild forms is what we call dandruff, with the skin on the scalp becoming irritated and forming large flakes that fall off.

Q: My teenage daughter has developed a thick, scaly crust on her scalp. It happened shortly after a stressful period in school. She’s tried anti-dandruff shampoo, but it made no difference. Could it be a form of dermatitis?

A: Scalp irritation is a common problem people present with to a GP surgery. This case sounds like seborrhoeic dermatitis. When anti-dandruff treatments don’t work, I suggest seeing a GP to confirm the diagnosis, as it can sometimes be confused with eczema or psoriasis, which would require different treatments.