Everything about Scalp Psoriasis

As far as skin diseases go, there are not many worse than scalp psoriasis. Not only does it look bad and cause discomfort, but even worse; it cannot be completely cured either. However, there are ways to treat it, and in this blog, we’ll look at all things scalp psoriasis as well as what can cause it, and products that can help with this skin condition.

What is scalp psoriasis and what are the symptoms?

Scalp psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that causes inflammation or a rash that eventually turns to itchy, scaly and silver-colored patches on the head. Additionally, these plaques can feel crispy, dry, and are prone to cracking or bleeding if they are scratched or regularly touched. They can be extremely painful and make it hard for someone infected with it to continue with their daily routine.

What is the cause of scalp psoriasis?

The cause of scalp psoriasis or why a certain individual gets it is unclear as it’s an immune-mediated disease where part of the immune system becomes dysfunctional. This is when infection-fighting cells in the immune system start inadvertently attacking healthy skin cells as a result of excessive skin cell production. As for why this occurs is anyone’s guess. Some believe environmental factors as well as genetics are a key factor. Other potential causes include irritants, allergens, skin injuries, and even emotional stress.

When can an individual get scalp psoriasis?

Most commonly, those who experience psoriasis tend to get it between the ages of 15 and 35. Around 7.5 million people aged 20 and older in the United States experience psoriasis with half of them having it on their scalp. Additionally, 80 percent of individuals who contract psoriasis are said to experience flare-ups on their scalp at some point.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates about 75 percent of psoriasis cases are usually diagnosed before the age of 46. With that being said, it can affect individuals at any age, including men, women, and children.

Does scalp psoriasis cause further complications?

It’s not only plaques or rashes that you’ll have to deal with when you contract psoriasis. You’re also at a greater risk of:

• Diabetes
• Obesity
• High cholesterol
• Strokes
• Heart attacks

To prevent your chances of further complications, it’s important that you maintain a well-balanced diet, do regular exercise, get plenty of sleep, and avoid smoking.

What are ways to cure scalp psoriasis?

As aforementioned, there is no cure for psoriasis. However, there are ways to treat it to decrease the severity of the condition. The main ways you can do that include the following:

• Steroid creams
• Dry skin moisturizers
• Medication
• Vitamin D3 ointment
• Vitamin A creams
• Retinoid creams

If those don’t lead to significant improvement or results, you can also opt for the following:

• Retinoids
• Light therapy
• PUVA or photochemotherapy
• Immune therapies
• Methotrexate
• Cyclosporine

Some of these methods come with various side effects so it’s imperative that you always consult a dermatologist or doctor first.

What are the best products for scalp psoriasis?

If you’re looking for specific products to help you with scalp psoriasis in particular, we have a few recommendations below:

NEUTROGENA ® T/GEL ® Therapeutic Shampoo Original: If you’re experiencing scalp psoriasis, our top recommendation is Neutrogena T/Gel Therapeutic Shampoo. Using an original formula, this dermatologist-recommended shampoo uses coal tar, a recommended ingredient by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), said to provide long-lasting relief from itching and flaking with just a single use. It can help control symptoms of psoriasis as well as dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. Additionally, it effectively cleanses hair and leaves it looking healthy and easy to style.

Curel Hydra Therapy Wet Skin Moisturizer: Although this product is not specifically designed for psoriasis, it’s well worth a shot given how well it deals with extra dry skin. Using a water-activated formula, this greaseless moisturizer penetrates deep into the skin to provide plenty of hydration and restore the skin’s ceramide levels. Overall, it also helps prevent dry skin symptoms and could be very effective in dealing with plaques, especially if you’re experiencing scalp psoriasis as a bald person.

PSORIASIN Deep Moisturizing Ointment: Another product that uses coal tar, the PSORIASIN Deep Moisturizing Ointment slows down excess skin cell production which is one of the root causes of symptoms for psoriasis. By locking in moisture with the help of the coal tar, it helps restore the skin’s appearance and relieve psoriasis symptoms. It’s a particularly great product to use overnight on your scalp.

How do you know you’re recovering from psoriasis?

If you have severe psoriasis on your scalp, it can be hard to decipher if any of the aforementioned products are producing results. In general, however, progress comes in the form of:

• Smaller patches
• Disappearing patches
• Decreased itching
• Less red and flaky skin

Are there other types of psoriasis?

Unfortunately, there are many types of psoriasis, but the most common one, which includes the plaques on the scalp, is called plaque psoriasis. It is said that 80-90% of people with psoriasis suffer from this particular type of condition.

The others include the following:

• Inverse psoriasis
• Guttate psoriasis
• Pustular psoriasis
• Erythrodermic psoriasis
• Sebopsoriasis
• Nail psoriasis

While there’s no cure for scalp psoriasis and it’s certainly one of the worst skin conditions one can get, it can definitely be treated and there are products out there that can provide relief.