Scalp Psoriasis

Scalp psoriasis is a common skin disorder that greatly affects people suffering through psoriasis. It varies in intensity from mild to severe and usually affects the back of the head but other areas of the scalp can also become victim.



It occurs as thick silvery white scale on patches of very red skin. On such dry scaly patches skin grow faster than normal. Scalp psoriasis sometimes extends slightly beyond the hairline onto the forehead and the nape of the neck and is often a source of social embarrassment. It gives a very uncomfortable feeling because the flaking of the scale and severe dandruff causes itchiness, dryness, tightness and soreness. This skin problem is not at all dangerous or contagious but it is a chronic problem that often lasts for many years and is difficult to treat. Some patients also experience severe hair loss and infection around the affected areas. This can be very distressing but the hair loss is temporary and the hair will re-grow once the problem has been treated.

People suffering through psoriasis usually become victim of scalp psoriasis. Middle aged women or people continuously rubbing and scratching their skin also have high ratio of getting this disease. The reason why scaling occurs during psoriases is that the time to manufacture and shed skin cells is faster during this disease compared to normal days. Also the outer cells are poorly formed and don’t shed properly, due to which they pile up on the skin that produces scales.

Most of the time it is possible to manage scalp patches at home with the help of a Shampoo treatments. For this you don’t need any medical advice and simply take help from your pharmacist. But if the condition is more severe and your scalp is covered with thick scale then you should consult a Dermatologist immediately. While suffering through scalp psoriasis a person should avoid using greasy ointments on the scalp as they may further spoil your hair. It is important to understand that scalp needs treatment and not the hair. The most effective method of applying the treatment on to the scalp is by parting the hair in sections and rubbing the treatment along the affected area. You may require help of someone who is able to see the top of your head and then guide accordingly.

Scalp psoriasis is a normal condition and so no special precautions are advised while using cosmetic products. This is a great advantage because a person suffering through Scalp psoriasis is already dishearten with his skin condition so it is recommended to use hair styling techniques such as perming or coloring on the hair to raise a person’s self-confidence. This act has positive affect on a person’s personality and self esteem. But it is advised to use cosmetic products carefully making sure a person is not inducing scratches on the scalp as this can cause irritation on the affected skin. It is also recommended to frequently comb your hair while suffering through scalp psoriasis because it removes hair casts which can be a cause of severe psoriasis.

Following is an effective daily regimen that may help you in overcoming scalp psoriasis:
1. Apply shampoo to the scalp and rub it gently. Wait for 15-20 minutes and then wash with water. It is a good idea to use a shampoo containing tar for scalp psoriasis. But if you have light colored hair use other medicated shampoos.
2. Doctors usually prescribe a lotion containing cortisone, which need to be rubbed into the scalp after shampooing or before going to bed.
3. Do not continue the same treatment for many days as the scalp may show resistant to it. Discontinue a treatment for few days and then continue again. This procedure gives a more positive result.
4. Exposing your scalp to sunlight also helps in curing scalp psoriasis. But excessive sunburn is not allowed.

A number of shampoos, lotions, creams, foams, and oils are available in large number for treating psoriasis on the scalp. This type of skin disorder requires a slightly different treatment than psoriasis affecting the skin elsewhere. It is because the hair on the scalp makes it difficult to apply the product properly and then protect the scalp from the heat of ultraviolet light. Also most of the scalp psoriasis treatments are messy and smelly.

The best thing is to wash your hair daily. If nothing work applying warm olive oil on the scalp is also useful. After rubbing it into your scalp wrap a towel around your head and leave it for approximately 30 minutes so that it gets soaked into the scalp. There is no magic cure for scalp psoriasis. All the treatments that are advised work temporarily and should not be continued for a long period of time. For severe condition the only solution is to seek medical help and use treatments as directed.