Scalp Psoriasis

Scalp Psoriasis






Scalp psoriasis is a skin disease which is marked by red scaly patches on the scalp. The scalp is covered with raised dry patches that are red in color. In severe cases, it may spread from the scalp to other parts like neck, forehead and back. It is estimated that around 7.5 million people of America suffer from scalp psoriasis. However this disorder is not contagious. Scalp psoriasis is quite common type of skin disease which produces raised patches on the scalp.

Causes :

Exact cause that causes this disorder is not known. But it may develop when the body’s immune system is disturbed due to any other disease or condition. Due to faulty signals received from the brain, the new skin cells will start growing before the dead cells wither. The skin cells grow rapidly piling up on the old cells causing psoriasis. Some believe scalp psoriasis is hereditary and is often passed on to the next generation from the parents.

Symptoms :

There will be scaly reddish patches on the scalp. It can also occur in other body parts like knees and elbows and even on upper body. The patches will be of reddish pink color and will be in raised form like scales. In case if psoriasis occurs in nails, the nails will grow thick and become discolored. There may be stiffness and pain and intense itching when there is development of scaly patches on the skin. For some people, the symptoms are unnoticeable but for others it can be severe to the extent of changing their appearance. It will also disturb the sleep each night due to repeated itching.

The scalp becomes dry and flat with intense itching. For many it is accompanied by hair loss. It looks very much like Dandruff causing flaking of skin. Many people affected with scalp psoriasis complain of burning sensation and soreness. There may be cracks and bleeding for some people with intense psoriasis. Frequent scratching can aggravate the patches to grow thick and long.

Pictures of Scalp Psoriasis :

Images, Pics, Pictures and Photos of Scalp Psoriasis

Treatment :

You can get over the counter medicines for treating scalp psoriasis. Topical lotions like shampoo, gels, oils and ointments may also be used for curing this disorder. You can try medicated shampoos and scale softeners for getting some relief. Normally these medicines contain salicylic acid and coal tar. In case of severe psoriasis, your doctor may recommend using anthralin, antimicrobial ointments, topical steroid drugs and vitamin D products. Make sure that you are using these drugs as prescribed by your doctor and apply it fairly on the scalp. Remember that it may take some time for the dry patches to disappear completely. So you need to use the treatment until the symptoms subside.

Steroid injection is given for treating mild form of psoriasis that has affected few areas of the scalp.

In rare cases, phototherapy and laser therapy is administered for clearing lesions and patches. Nowadays you can also get Ultra-Violet comb for treating psoriasis.

Scalp Psoriasis – Symptoms, Treatment, Home Remedies, Cure, Pictures

Scalp Psoriasis – Symptoms, Treatment, Home Remedies, Cure, Pictures

How can you tell if you have Scalp psoriasis?

If you have signs of itchy, thick, red, patches on the scalp, you could have psoriasis of the scalp. This is a disorder that will not distress your over-all health but it can be a very unsightly, as well as uncomfortable burden.

You can have a fairly mild case with only a few red patches randomly scattered thru the scalp, each concealed with silvery-gray light scales. Or you can have a more severe case with some if not the entire scalp covered with red patches that are fierce and topped with a thick, crusty scale. Some areas or patches could even spread down into the neck, ears or forehead.

With the additional severe case, you can experience some loss of hair, although the hair virtually at all times will grow back. You can also discover that psoriasis of the scalp can be very uncomfortable, especially with a tight, cap of crusty cap involving the whole scalp. These patches can also be tender and/or itchy.

Scalp psoriasis Symptoms

The symptoms of psoriasis of the scalp consist of:

• Red areas


• Itchy areas


• Silvery-white scales


• Flakes of dead skin in hair or on shoulders


• Areas can be tender

Scalp psoriasis Treatment

Many treatments can usually be combined and/or rotated since an individual’s psoriasis can become less reactive to drugs after using repeatedly. Treatment which are systemic are not normally advised for psoriasis of the scalp but can be used if psoriasis is also existent in a different place on the body.

Mild psoriasis of the scalp
Salicylic acid and tar products are normally adequate for the treatment of very mild psoriasis of the scalp. Many non-coal tar and coal tar therapeutic shampoos for the treatment of lesions of the scalp are currently on the marketplace. It is important to remember medication shampoos are created for use on the scalp, not for the hair.

Often physicians will inject lesions on the scalp with steroid drugs. This is normally only when the psoriasis of the scalp is mild and involves only a limited amount of areas. These injections of steroids are used cautiously due to the fact that this medication will be absorbed by the body and a person can only have so many steroid injections in a year.

Severe psoriasis of the scalp
With more severe cases of psoriasis of the scalp, it may be necessary to try several diverse treatment plans prior to finding one that works. If scalp becomes crusted along with scaling and/or the lymphatic nodes in the neck are swollen, designating a Yeast Infection, the physician can advocate antimicrobial treatment.

Topical treatments common for psoriasis of the scalp consist of:

• Dovonex


• Anthralin


• Tazorac


• Taclonex

Common medication treatments systemic for psoriasis consist of:

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• Oral retinoids


• Methotrexate


• Biologics


• Cyclosporine


• Ultraviolet light

When using ultraviolet or UV light treatments the hair blocks the light from getting to the scalp. But, better results may be realized with UV units that are conventional when the hair is parted in many different rows, and if the individual has hair that is very thin or if the head is shaved. There are devices which are hand-held referred to as UV combs available in order to deliver an advanced intensity of UV light. Even natural sunlight can help especially if the hair is thin or is shaved.

Itching is normally problematic for individuals with psoriasis of the scalp. Over the counter shampoos with tar as well as shampoos that contain menthol may help to reduce any itching. Steroids that are topical as well as antihistamines that are oral are very effective in reducing Itchy Scalp.

Scalp psoriasis Home Remedies

Below are listed several natural remedies for psoriasis of the scalp. Many more can be found on the internet. They consist of:

Vinegar dip
Apple cider vinegar has long been used for the soothing of minor burns as well as other inflammations of the skin as well as a disinfectant. To prepare an apple cider vinegar compress, use one cup of apple vinegar to one gallon of water. Use cotton balls to dap it on the scalp.

Plastic wrap
Covering up lesions has been known for years to help them go away. After applying any prescribed medication then cover the scalp with plastic wrap.

Olive oil
Warm some olive oil and massage it gently into the scalp. This will help to soften as well as remove psoriasis scales in the scalp. Then shampoo as normal, rinsing well.

Baking soda
This will take the itch out of scaly patches in the scalp. Mix 1.5 cups baking soda into 3 gallons of water. Apply to the itchy patches in the scalp with a washcloth that is soaked in this solution.

Aloe vera/jojoba oil
An individual can condition their hair with a combination of jojoba oil and aloe vera. Just mix equal amounts of both in the palms and massage into the scalp and then let it soak overnight.

Hair mask
Try using a conditioning mask for the hair one or two times each week. Combine an avocado that is overripe, 1 tsp. honey and one tbsp. of olive oil by squashing all of this together. Massage into the scalp and cover with plastic wrap. Allow it to set for thirty to sixty minutes and then rinse with usual washing process.

Scalp Psoriasis Pictures