Child has crusty brown specks on head. What could this be?
Patient: Hi our 2 year old toddler has scab like crusty brown specs on top of his head in a area near the front top of head. some of the spots look like round freckles on the scalp . and one area has a clump of brownish crust. we washed his head and its still all there, some of it combed out alittle and some are clumpy and some are still all over his scalp. What could cause this? Doctor: Hello and welcome to HCM,The crusty brown scabs are suggestive of seborrhea, eczema, dermatitis, or scaly dermatosis.You need to consult a dermatologist for clinical examination, relevant investigations (especially biopsy) and thus further management.Seborrhea is a common ailment seen in infants and toddler.It commonly affects the scalp and flexures of arms and legs.this includes the region of the elbow and region behind the knee joint.Anti-fungal treatment usually suffices and the disease usually clears away as the child grows.However, definitive diagnosis can only be made after clinical examination and investigations.Thanks and take careDr Shailja P Wahal