How To Clear Up Scalp Psoriasis

Ways To Relieve Itchy Psoriasis

Many people say that the itch is the most bothersome of all their psoriasis symptoms. To relieve the itch, dermatologists give their patients the following eight tips:

Home Remedies To Try To Relieve Scalp Psoriasis

About half of the 8 million Americans affected with psoriasis have the condition on their scalp, aptly called scalp psoriasis. Scalp psoriasis formation has no relation to our hair types or textures, so pretty much anyone can develop the condition. Mild cases are characterized by fine, powdery flakes. Moderate cases involve scales, while more severe cases include plaques, which are raised, scaly patches of skin.

On lighter skin, these plaques appear red and silver on darker skin, plaques appear purple, grey, or dark brown. The condition can cause itchiness, inflammation, and discomfort, and the temptation to scratch might lead to infection or hair loss.

Managing scalp psoriasis involves some trial and error, as you find the over-the-counter shampoo or topical that works for you, without causing further irritation. A board-certified dermatologist can also prescribe medicated formulas, oral treatments, or administer a laser if you’re not seeing an improvement from home remedies, if you need to take this route.

Ahead, we offer 10 solutions for managing scalp psoriasis with home remedies, so you can get relief fast.

How Is Scalp Psoriasis Treated

Some shampootreatments can be bought over the counter, however, if your scalp is coveredwith thick scale or doesnt clear up, do consult your GP. There is a wide rangeof topical treatments that can beprescribed including coal tar, dithranol, salicylic acid, steroid creams andointments, Vitamin D based treatments, as well asoils for moisturising the scalp, such as coconut oil. Various scalp treatments are available in cream, ointment,mousse, gel or shampoo formulations. If your scalp psoriasis is particularly difficult to treat, yourGP may refer you to a Dermatologist, Dermatology Nurse Specialist, or GP with aSpecial Interest in skin.

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Heres My Diet And The List Of Products I Use:

Nothing sold in a convenient store, all that is garbage.

No beef or cured pork.

No white bread.

Coffee thats diluted with an inch of milk. When Im at home, I use coconut milk.

IPAs and hard ciders are the only alcohols that dont trigger my psoriasis. I have read online other people who say IPAs do not cause outbreaks either. If I drink a Bud or Coors or whiskey, my skin gets bad immediately.

I drink one to two cups of detox tea a day.

The Nitty Gritty Of Scalp Psoriasis

Its easy to think that patches of dry, itchy skin on the scalp are caused by some kind of lack of hygiene. But cleanliness has nothing to do with scalp psoriasis.

Psoriasis is actually a chronic inflammatory disorder caused when the immune system doesnt work quite right. Doctors arent sure why, but some people have an immune system that churns out too many skin cells. Since the body cant get rid of these excess cells fast enough, they pile on top of each other, forming flakey, silvery scales.

Psoriasis can pop up anywhere on the body, but when it shows up on your head, dry skin patches can appear under the hair, on the back of the neck, and behind the ears.

Its easy to confuse psoriasis with dandruff, and sometimes dermatologists arent so sure themselves. When it looks like a blend between psoriasis and dandruff, they call it sebopsoriasis a cute couples name for seborrheic dermatitis, aka dandruff, and psoriasis.

However, some clues that your scalp irritation might be psoriasis include more defined or patterned pink scale-like plaques.

Dandruff looks more like generalized greasy flaking with pink patches. Over-the-counter shampoos can typically knock out dandruff, but scalp psoriasis is a little harder to treat.

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What Medications Or Treatments Are Used To Treat Scalp Psoriasis

Your healthcare provider may prescribe the following as a cream, lotion or gel to treat mild cases of scalp psoriasis:

• Anthralin.

In more severe or widespread cases of scalp psoriasis, your healthcare provider may prescribe:

• Medicine injections. Your healthcare provider will use a thin needle to inject medicine into your skin, a vein in your arm or directly into your plaques. These medicines may include adalimumab, etanercept or ustekinumab.
• Oral medicines. Oral medicines are pills or tablets you swallow with water. These medicines may include acitretin, cyclosporine or methotrexate.
• . Phototherapy uses ultraviolet light , usually ultraviolet B , from special lamps. The ultraviolet light waves in sunlight can help certain skin disorders, including scalp psoriasis.

Treating scalp psoriasis may be difficult. Your body is unique, and it might not respond to certain treatments. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best treatment for you.

How Is Psoriasis Treated

Psoriasis is usually treated by a dermatologist . A rheumatologist may also help with treatment. Treatments can include:

• ultraviolet light from the sun or from home or office treatments. But in some children, sunlight can make psoriasis worse.
• creams, lotions, ointments, and shampoos such as moisturizers, corticosteroids, vitamin D creams, and shampoos made with salicylic acid or coal tar
• medicines taken by mouth or injected medicines

A doctor might try one therapy and then switch to another, or recommend combining treatments. It’s not always easy to find a therapy that works, and sometimes what works for a time stops helping after a while.

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Is Scalp Psoriasis Contagious

Scalp psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that is not transmitted by physical contact. It is not a contagious disease.

Wrapping Up

Now you know that this autoimmune condition causes red, scaly patches of skin on the scalp and sometimes, on the areas around it. OTC and topical treatments may help reduce mild psoriasis symptoms. However, for moderate to severe scalp psoriasis, oral medication or light therapy may be prescribed by your doctor. Following your doctors directions to control and reduce flare-ups is important to avoid complications.

Geranium Essential Oil For Psoriasis

Some sources say that geranium oil can improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and even work to relieve stress. It is also said to promote the growth and regeneration of healthy cells.

Dilute this oil well. You may experience minor side effects when applying this oil to the skin, even when it is diluted. Geranium oil commonly causes allergic or other skin reactions.

You should always do a patch test before applying any essential oil to larger areas of your skin.

Geranium oil is known to slow or stop blood flow. Use caution if you have high blood pressure or youre at risk of cardiovascular diseases.

For skin issues ranging from acne to dermatitis, you can try mixing up to five drops of geranium oil with a carrier oil like coconut oil. Recommendations say to apply this mixture to affected areas twice daily until you see improvement.

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Apply Aloe Vera To Scalp

The soothing properties of aloe vera can have some healing properties for people with mild to moderate scalp psoriasis. Aloe vera creams that contain 0.5 percent aloe can help reduce itching, inflammation, flaking, and redness on the scalp. Aloe should be applied up to three times per day to keep skin moist. It may take up to a month to start feeling and seeing positive effects.

Tea Tree Essential Oil For Psoriasis

Tea tree oil comes from the leaves of a plant native to Australia. The oil is said to have antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. It may also support healthy immune function.

If you scratch an area affected by psoriasis, consider applying tea tree oil to the area. This may help ward off infection and ease inflammation. Dont use too much of this powerful oil, however, as it may dry out your skin and make matters worse.

According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, there arent any scientific studies to confirm or deny the effectiveness of tea tree oil on psoriasis. Additional skin irritation or an allergic reaction is possible. To determine if youre allergic, you should test a small area of skin before using the oil over a large area.

Some people find relief by using store-bought products that contain tea tree oil. You can find this ingredient in anything from shampoos to soaps to lotions. Learn more about tea tree oil and psoriasis.

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How Can You Tell If You Have Psoriasis On Your Scalp

Thick, crusted skin patches covering the scalp are the most tell-tale sign of scalp psoriasis, and Dr. Chacon says they often have well-defined edges that may appear swollen. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, these plaques may appear red and silver on light skin and skew more purple, gray, or brown on dark skin. Itchiness and discomfort may also accompany the affected areas.

Good hair day by .

Try A Parting Of The Ways

When applying a product, part your hair to expose your scalp so you can target plaques directly, says Fran Klapow, a hairstylist from Long Island, New York, who has scalp psoriasis. Repeat this sectioning piece by piece so you can treat your scalp without getting the gooey stuff all over your hair.

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Dont Scratch That Itch

Refrain from rubbing or scrubbing your scalp when shampooing, as tempting as it may be to dig into those itchy spots. Scratching induces trauma which in turn induces psoriasis, a process known as Koebnerization, Bagel explains.

If youre finding it hard not to scratch, try applying a dab of hydrocortisone, a mild corticosteroid, to itchy spots, to help decrease itching and inflammation, the NPF says. Start with the least powerful topical steroid that works for you, and use it just three to four times a week.

Tablets Capsules And Injections

If your psoriasis is severe or other treatments have not worked, you may be prescribed systemic treatments by a specialist. Systemic treatments work throughout the entire body.

These medications can be very effective in treating psoriasis, but they all have potentially serious side effects. All the systemic treatments for psoriasis have benefits and risks. Before starting treatment, talk to your doctor about your treatment options and any risks associated with them.

If you’re planning for a baby, become pregnant or are thinking of breastfeeding, you should also speak to your doctor first before taking any new medicine to check it’s suitable for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

There are 2 main types of systemic treatment, called non-biological and biological .

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Massage Coconut Oil Into Scalp

A coconut oil hair treatment might be one of the more indulgent ways of managing scalp psoriasis plus, the healthy fats are known to boost skin health. Massage a few drops onto your scalp and put on a shower cap. Once the oil is on your scalp, set your timer for 20 minutes. After your time is up you may remove the cap and wash your hair as usual.

Psoralen Plus Ultraviolet A

For this treatment, you’ll first be given a tablet containing compounds called psoralens, or psoralen may be applied directly to the skin. This makes your skin more sensitive to light.

Your skin is then exposed to a wavelength of light called ultraviolet A . This light penetrates your skin more deeply than UVB light.

This treatment may be used if you have severe psoriasis that has not responded to other treatment.

Side effects include nausea, headaches, burning and itchiness. You may need to wear special glasses for 24 hours after taking the tablet to prevent the development of cataracts.

Long-term use of this treatment is not encouraged, as it can increase your risk of developing skin cancer.

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How Do You Clear Up Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that isnt currently curable. However, a range of treatments can be used to improve symptoms. Here, we look at ways to clear up those itchy patches!

Psoriasis is a long lasting, auto-immune condition that causes inflammation in the body.

Although it is a complex disorder and not yet fully understood scientists believe it results from the immune system attacking its own healthy skin cells.

Characterised by inflamed patches on the skin that are sometimes covered with scales, psoriasis can be itchy and painful, impacting on quality of life. But despite not being curable , the good news is that psoriasis responds well to several treatments.

Even though it appears on the surface, psoriasis is more than skin deep, starting inside the body, in the immune system. With this in mind, it is really important to treat it holistically, making changes inside and out.

Here are our pro top tips for clearing up psoriasis:

Keep your skin moisturised: moisture-rich skin is the enemy of psoriasis and its important to take action before skin dries out. Simple topical treatments like oils and salves, applied throughout the day, keep skin supple.

Avoid chemicals: when it comes to skin conditions, natural is often best. Fragrances, colours and dyes can all aggravate psoriasis. Look closely at labels, choosing products suitable for sensitive skin.

Recommended products for skin prone to psoriasis:

Important Note

Find out more on Psoriasis

Head Wear Do’s And Don’ts

Like we noted above, donning hats, headbands or bandanas is one way to conceal psoriasis breakouts, but you want to make sure what you wear is doing more good than harm. On this note, make sure that any head wear isn’t fastened too tightly, as this could cause more irritation to the affected area. We’d also suggest wearing lighter covered head wear, as this will help hide any flaking that occurs.

Leave a comment and tell us your story and what are your favorite tips are for managing scalp psoriasis.

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Risk Factors To Consider

Always research the specific oil you intend to use before you incorporate it into your treatment plan. Each oil comes with its own cautions and interactions.

Although theyre all-natural, essential oils can be particularly potent ingredients. For this reason, they should be treated like medication and used with care.

Essential oils are generally not recommended for infants, children, or pregnant or nursing individuals. Some oils may interact with certain medications or health issues. You should speak with your doctor about the oils youd like to use to complement your current psoriasis care plan.

Some essential oils are also toxic to pets. This is true both for direct contact with the skin and for inhalation.

Consider storing any essential oils in a place where children and pets cant reach them. As for your diffuser, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recommends using it in a well-ventilated space or in a room that your pet cant access.

Your vet or another medical professional may be able to give you more specific recommendations.

What Causes Psoriasis

The exact cause of psoriasis isn’t known. But experts do know that the body’s immune system, which fights germs and diseases, is involved. Overactive immune system cells make skin cells grow faster than the body can shed them, so they pile up as plaques on the skin.

Some genes have been linked to psoriasis. About 40% of people with psoriasis have a family member who has it.

Anyone can get psoriasis and it may begin at any age. It can’t spread from person to person.

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Turn Up With Turmeric

Another noted anti-inflammatory and skin soother, a daily turmeric supplement can help treat psoriasis .

If youd rather not take a turmeric pill, you can add the spice directly to your food. Whether you enjoy a turmeric latte or a delicious curry, there are lots of turmeric recipes to try to help your skin.

What Are The Symptoms

Scalp psoriasis is like having dandruff, but on overdrive! Some noticeable symptoms include scaly dandruff-like flaking, itchy inflamed scalp and soreness. Some might mistake scalp psoriasis for extreme dandruff. For example, for years I thought I was suffering from excessive dandruff but, after a trip to the dermatologist, I was diagnosed with having scalp psoriasis.

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Treatment You Receive At A Dermatologists Office Or Clinic

If the psoriasis fails to clear with treatment applied to the scalp or you have thick psoriasis on your scalp, your dermatologist may recommend the following.

Injections of corticosteroids: Your dermatologist can inject a corticosteroid directly into the scalp psoriasis. While this can be effective, its use is limited to a few times.

Excimer laser and other light treatments: This laser can treat psoriasis in difficult-to-treat areas like the scalp, feet, and hands. When used to treat the scalp, your dermatologist may use a device that looks like a blow dryer. A benefit of using this to treat scalp psoriasis is that this laser treats only the areas that need it.

The drawback to this treatment is that you will need to travel to your dermatologists office or a psoriasis clinic two or three times per week. Each treatment session takes about 10 minutes. Most patients need to continue these visits for several weeks. If your schedule wont permit this, be sure to tell your dermatologist.

While getting these treatments, you may also need to use another treatment at home.

Excimer laser treatment is usually painless, but possible side effects include redness and sunburn-like pain.