How to Spot for Scalp Psoriasis

If you have a chronic skin condition, such as psoriasis or eczema, you may be used to treating it with creams and other topical medications. But when this type of issue turns up on your scalp, it’s a different ballgame, because the hair can get in the way. Scalp psoriasis is fairly common. It affects about 50% of people with chronic plaque psoriasis. The symptoms are similar to other forms of the condition, although it’s often more severe. If you have scalp psoriasis, it can also appear on your forehead, the back of your neck, or behind your ears. Scalp psoriasis is usually characterised by red patches of skin covered in thick silvery scales. It can also appear as a series of small spots, or just one large patch. If you have scalp psoriasis, you’re likely to experience some itching and flaking too. You may notice flakes in your hair or on your clothes or pillowcase. Unlike dandruff, scalp psoriasis doesn’t respond to anti-dandruff shampoos. The only way to treat scalp psoriasis is with prescribed medication. Scalp psoriasis is a common skin disorder that makes raised, reddish, often scaly patches. It can pop up as a single patch or several, and can even affect your entire scalp. It can also spread to your forehead, the back of your neck, or behind and inside your ears. Scalp psoriasis symptoms may include only slight, fine scaling. Moderate to severe scalp psoriasis symptoms may include dandruff-like flaking, dry scalp, and hair loss. Psoriasis can occur on any part of the body but it’s most common on the elbows, knees and scalp. Unlike dandruff, scalp psoriasis causes a silvery sheen and dry scale on the scalp. Psoriasis affects about 2 percent of the U.S population and occurs in both children and adults. Although there’s no cure, there are many treatments that can help control it.

There are five types of psoriasis:

plaque
guttate
inverse
pustular
erythrodermic

Plaque psoriasis is the most common form of the disease and appears as raised, red patches covered with a silvery white buildup of dead skin cells or scale. The exact cause isn’t known, but it’s thought to be related to a problem with the immune system. Normally, immune cells help protect the body against infection. But if you have psoriasis, something goes wrong causing the immune system to become overactive. This overactivity causes new skin cells to form in days rather than weeks. The body does not shed these excess skin cells. The skin cell buildup forms scales and red patches that are itchy and sometimes painful.

Most often psoriasis appears in areas like:

Elbows
Knees
Scalp
Lower back

But unlike seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis also shows up on elbows, knees, hands and feet. It also looks different from seborrheic dermatitis. Psoriasis patches are usually thicker and redder around the outside with silvery-white built-up dead skin cells in the center. It can appear as a single patch or several, and they will be itchy and sometimes painful.

Basics of Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic (long-lasting) skin disease of scaling and inflammation that affects greater than 3 percent of the U.S. population, or more than 5 million adults. The word “psoriasis” is from a Greek word meaning “itch.” It can start at any age but most commonly appears for the first time between ages 15 and 35 years.

What are the symptoms of psoriasis?

The typical symptoms of psoriasis include:

Red patches of skin covered with thick, silvery scales
Small scaling spots (commonly seen in children)
Dry, cracked skin that may bleed
Itching, burning or soreness
Thickened, pitted or ridged nails

Swollen and stiff jointsWhat causes psoriasis?

The cause of psoriasis is unknown but involves at least three important factors: a genetic predisposition, an immune system abnormality and environmental factors. The genes responsible for psoriasis have been identified and it is known to run in families. In fact, approximately one-third of people with psoriasis have a family member with the disorder. However, only about 2 to 3 percent of people who have a parent with psoriasis develop the disease

Checking Your Scalp

Scalp exams are a simple way for you to check your own head. They allow you to see if anything looks unusual. You will have a better chance of finding melanoma early if you know what is normal for you and check your scalp regularly.

As part of a skin self-exam, use a hand mirror to look at the back of your scalp in a well-lit room. Ask someone to help you look at the back of your head, or use two mirrors to help you see this area.

Scalp problems are common and can be caused by a number of conditions. Some conditions, such as dry scalp or dandruff, are harmless. Others, like ringworm, are contagious.

Check your scalp for these signs and symptoms:

Redness and irritation
Scaling that may be: White, flaky
Greasy and yellowish
Crusting
Oozing or bleeding
Itching that may be intense
Pain

Scalp Psoriasis Treatment

Scalp psoriasis treatment varies depending on the severity of your condition.

Home remedies

If you have mild psoriasis, these over-the-counter products may help:

Shampoos and cleansers. Washing with a tar shampoo can be soothing and helpful. Medicated shampoos such as salicylic acid, coal tar, zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide and ketoconazole also can be beneficial.

Leave-on products. After you wash your hair, make sure it’s completely dry before applying any medicated product or oil to your scalp. Oils are best applied at night, allowing them to soak into the skin overnight.

Combination treatments. Some products combine two or more active ingredients to treat different symptoms of scalp psoriasis. These products are helpful for treating both plaque and thin plaques (erythrodermic) psoriasis.

Topical prescription medications

If home remedies aren’t effective in treating your scalp psoriasis, talk to your doctor about these topical prescriptions:

Topical corticosteroids. These are available in various strengths and formulations that include lotions, solutions and sprays.