Scalp Psoriasis Vs Dermatitis
Dermatitis is a term used to describe various types of skin inflammation. This includes contact dermatitis as well as seborrheic dermatitis .
Like psoriasis, dermatitis can also affect the scalp. While some of the treatments for these conditions may overlap, the conditions themselves have different causes.
Scalp psoriasis is likely caused by immune dysfunction. Dermatitis is caused by various skin irritants, such as allergens.
With scalp psoriasis, youll notice silvery-red scales that may extend beyond the hairline. Theyll cause itching, flaking, and redness. In dermatitis, scales are white or yellowish and accompanied by dandruff.
A doctor can usually tell the difference between scalp psoriasis and dermatitis by taking a look at the affected area. In other cases, it might be trickier to tell the difference.
They might perform a skin scrape or take a biopsy. An overgrowth of skin cells will be present in cases of scalp psoriasis. In dermatitis cases, there will be irritated skin and sometimes bacteria or fungi.
Dermatitis can cause dandruff. Scalp psoriasis and dandruff share many of the same symptoms, such as:
- white or yellow skin flakes on the scalp
- mild redness
Stress Lack Of Sleep And Other Lifestyle Factors
Some patients will report that certain dietary habits or stress make skin flaking worse, while others say that those factors have no impact. For example, in one study published in 2015 in the journal BMC Dermatology about half of patients surveyed said that stress caused psoriasis to get worse and could pinpoint a stressful period of their life that was linked to the onset of their disease.
The thing about psoriasis is that it has a mind of its own, says Dr. Wechsler. Psychological stress and lack of sleep certainly can make a flaking flare worse. Theres a vicious cycle where the symptoms of the disease make you stressed, anxious, and down, and you dont sleep as well. That, in turn, compromises skin healing, and the cycle repeats, she says.
How To Use Hemp Oil For Scalp Psoriasis
Youve used hemp oil for everything from a makeup remover to a moisturizer. You even take it daily as a supplement. So when looking into issues with scalp psoriasis you may want to know how hemp oil can help. You might ask: what are the uses of hemp oil for scalp psoriasis?
Hemp oil can be used for scalp psoriasis to moisturize the scalp and reduce the itch. Hemp oil protects the lipid layer of your scalp and slows down cell growth, which calms flare-ups.
Other benefits of hemp oil include eliminating bacteria and providing the scalp with vital nutrients. The nutrients in hemp oil include vitamin E and omega fatty acids that help strengthen the scalp.
The vitamin E in hemp oil locks in moisture and reduces dryness. Hemp oil promotes both hair growth and scalp health. A moisturized scalp helps your hair grow. Since the scalp is the foundation of healthy hair, caring for flare-ups is important.
Keep reading to find out what scalp psoriasis is and how to know if you have it. If you have psoriasis, this article covers what triggers psoriasis and how hemp oil helps with flare-ups.
After all, hemp oil can help because its beneficial for all hair, nail, and skin issues. The benefit of hemp oil is that it helps everything from growing hair to reducing skin conditions.
Use hemp oil topically and internally to calm your scalp psoriasis flare-up. So you can look and feel your best underneath a beautiful head of hair.
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Treatment: Where To Start
The most common treatments for mild cases are medications that you put directly on your scalp. If you have a more severe case or have psoriasis elsewhere on your body, you may need a medication that treats your whole body. You can take these medications by mouth or injection.
If your psoriasis doesn’t respond well after repeated use of one medication, your doctor may replace or combine it with another type of treatment.
One of the first steps is to soften and remove scales. This makes it easier for medications to do their job.
- Apply over-the-counter products to your scalp to help soften scales and make them easier to peel off. Look for products with the active ingredients salicylic acid, lactic acid, urea, zinc pyrithione, or selenium sulfide.
- Gently loosen the scales with a brush or fine-toothed comb.
- Shampoo your scalp to remove the scales, using a salicylic acid shampoo or soap.
- Apply thick creams to your scalp while it’s still damp to hold in the moisture.
To apply medication:
Make Time For Afternoon Tea
Tea tree oil isnt messing around. This strong antimicrobial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory oil can treat scalp psoriasis when paired with a carrier oil .
Dont go nuts with this one. Start with just a drop or two and see how your skin reacts. Also, if youre pregnant, breastfeeding, have linear IgA disease, or are taking the antibiotic vancomycin, then this oil is not for you.
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The Mental Burden Of Skin Flakes In Psoriasis And Psoriatic Arthritis
You dont need a medical study to tell you that scaling and flaking is bothersome, but the evidence exists nonetheless: 65 percent of patients rank flaking, peeling, and shedding on their body as one of the top three most distressing symptoms they experience, per research published in The Journal of Dermatological Treatment.
The problem with any skin disease is that its on the outside. You have to deal with how the world is interacting with you and your skin disease. It can cause a lot of pain and suffering, says Amy Wechsler, MD, who is board-certified in both dermatology and psychiatry and author of the book The Mind-Beauty Connection. For instance, if psoriasis flakes are on your hands, you may be worried about shaking hands in work or social settings to say hello.
The challenge then becomes controlling and responding to flares, cleaning up flakes, and explaining them to friends, colleagues, and loved ones. Generally, the more widespread the disease, or the more difficult it is to cover up, the greater the effect it has on quality of life, says Dr. Bressack.
How Do You Treat Scalp Psoriasis
Theres no cure for scalp psoriasis, but there are ways to manage its symptoms. I always remind my patients that theyll need to continue treating it to keep it under control, says the dermatologist Steve Daveluy, MD, an assistant professor at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit.
According to data published in February 2016 in the journal Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, a combination of treatments works best against scalp psoriasis.
Treatments for scalp psoriasis may include the following:
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Eat A Low Inflammation Diet
Since one aspect of psoriasis is inflammation, finding ways to reduce and control inflammation can help to keep the condition manageable. There’s also initial research that suggests psoriasis is a condition that may be characterized by a leaky gut . Proudman suggests avoiding processed meats and processed foods high in sugar, salt or fat. “Eating anti-inflammatory foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables decreases inflammation and oxidative stress,” she says.
Austin-based holistic doctor Elena Villaneuva, D.C., confirms there is a direct connection between diet and inflammation. “There is a major connection between gut health and skin health,” Villaneuva says. “We’ve found that the key to reversing most skin conditions is to start on the inside.” She recommends avoiding gluten, sugar, and dairy altogetheras research has shown a connection between these foods and psoriasis.
Things To Avoid If You Have Scalp Psoriasis
Scalp psoriasis can be very uncomfortable, but find the right treatment and avoid these 6 pitfalls, and you can keep your scalp inthe best condition possible.
1. Dry skinKeep your scalp hydrated by using a moisturizing shampoo every time you wash your hair.
2. Itching and scratchingNever pick at scales or sore patches of skin Ââ this will make the condition worse!
3. Dry, cold weatherThe weather can have a big effect on psoriasis. Cold, dry weather can make the symptoms appear worse, so make sure to wrap up warm in winter and consider getting a humidifier to take the edge off the dry air.
4. Certain medicationTell your doctor about any medication you take and ask whether it might affect your psoriasis.
5. StressStress is often linked with flare-ups, so try to reduce stress and anxiety. Meditation and yoga are a good place to start.
6. AlcoholItâs thought that excessive alcohol consumption may worsen psoriasis symptoms, so drink in moderation. If youâre taking psoriasis medication, check whether itâs okay to drink alcohol while taking them.
How should you treat scalp psoriasis?Scalp psoriasis is a somewhat rare skin disorder, affecting about 3% of the population. If you havenât yet been diagnosed with the condition, itâs worthwhile to check to see if your symptoms are the result of a more common scalp flaking disorder like seborrheic dermatitis.
Try using Clinical Strength Shampoo for seborrheic dermatitis.
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How To Manage Scalp Psoriasis
In todays modern world, where it is very important to look presentable all the time, flakes of dandruff peeping through scalp or falling off on shoulders could create a bad first impression and make the person look unhygienic. People may think that the person is careless and not concerned about his/her appearance, even though he/she might be taking good care of himself/herself. Also, the dry scalp may cause an irresistible urge to scratch and it may happen when the person is in the middle of doing something very important, for instance, meeting.
The people with scalp psoriasis can easily identify themselves with this situation. The visible flakes make them feel self-conscious, embarrassed and could lead to social withdrawal and low self-esteem.
What Is Scalp Psoriasis?
It is a form of psoriasis that affects the scalp. It is an autoimmune condition, where the skin cells multiply at a fast pace than they could shed, thus forming thick patches of silvery-white flakes over the red base. This is commonly observed along the margins of the scalp or in the scalp, behind the ears, and on the nape of the neck.
Scalp psoriasis is observed in people of both sexes and all age-groups. It affects people with dry skin, and the condition gets aggravated in the winter, due to the stress, streptococcal throat infection, smoking, alcohol intake, and eating red meat. Certain medications, such as painkillers, beta-blockers prescribed for high blood pressure, could aggravate it.
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What Are The Symptoms
Scalp psoriasis causes redness and scaliness, which may also involve the hairline, the forehead, behind the ears and the back of the neck. It can range from very mild with slight fine scaling to very severe, crusted thick scaling covering the entire scalp. Hair loss during the flare-up can occur in some cases, but the hair will normally grow back. Psoriasis can be itchy, make the scalp feel tight and occasionally cause soreness, especially if there are cracks in the skin.
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How Does Hemp Oil Help With Scalp Psoriasis
Hemp oil helps with scalp psoriasis by boosting your immune system. The omega fatty acids in hemp oil are anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive. As a result, hemp oil can stop the immune response of scalp psoriasis, slowing down the thickening and scarring of the scalp.
Hemp oil is a unique treatment because it can be used directly on the skin or as a supplement. Placing the oil on the skin will allow the omega fatty acids to moisturize and fill cracks and scratches. As a supplement, the anti-inflammatory fatty acids work on the inside strengthening the immune system.
Since its all about boosting your immune system, inside and out, you can also use hemp oil with other ingredients. For example, apple cider vinegar works with hemp oil in an immune-boosting energy shot.
Hemp oil nutrients help maintain the hair and scalp naturally. Vitamin E helps hair grow and moisturizes the scalp. While Vitamins D and A, in hemp oil, help slow skin cell growth. These vitamins take care of day to day hair maintenance while protecting the scalp from any skincare issues.
Massaging hemp oil into your scalp daily helps with circulation. The circulation works to reduce psoriasis flare-up. A massage also helps loosen the skin on your scalp and regulates rapid skin cell growth.
A gentle daily massage helps you continue to grow hair. Remember not to be too rough on your sensitive scalp or you could cause unnecessary hair loss.
Limit Your Use Of Styling Tools
Be gentle when styling your hair, in order to avoid irritating the scalp. It is best to avoid tight hair styles, as pulling too tight on the scalp can lead to irritation, says Garshick. Additionally, curling irons, rollers, coloring, perming or relaxing your hair should be limitedespecially if there is an active flareas these can be irritating on the scalp.
If youre concerned about concealing plaques, Green suggests a low pony with added texture to hide irritation at the nape of your neck. You can add volume to down-dos by gently teasing strands at the root to conceal any scaliness behind the ears. If the hairline is typically your trouble zone, full or side-swept bangs can help hide redness.
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Psoriasis Skin Flakes: What Are They
Flakes in psoriasis are the dead cells at the outer layer of the skin that are being shed, saysMitchell Bressack, MD, a dermatologist at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago who specializes in treating psoriasis. The outer layer of the skin normally turns over every 28 days, which means that it takes about a month for the bottom layer of cells to make their way to the top.
In people with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, however, the cells at the base of the epidermis multiply more rapidly than normal and they progress from the base of the epidermis to the surface more rapidly than normal, so theres an increase in the number of dead cells being shed from the surface of the skin on a daily basis, Dr. Bressack says. This appears as scales, which can flake off in large pieces.
What Is The Best Shampoo For Psoriasis Of The Scalp
Below, youll find some of the best shampoos for scalp psoriasis:
- 1 T/Gel Therapeutic Shampoo Extra Strength. Neutrogena.
- 2 Psoriasis Medicated Shampoo + Conditioner. Dermarest.
- 3 SAL Shampoo. DHS Sal Shampoo.
- 4 5% Coal Tar Psoriasis Shampoo. PsoriaTrax.
- 5 Clinical Strength Seborrheic Dermatitis Treatment. Head & Shoulders.
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How To Stop Scalp Psoriasis
If you suffer from an itchy scalp or have flaking problems you may have scalp psoriasis. Other symptoms include redness and even scaly buildup. You may see these symptoms around the hair line, behind your ears or throughout your scalp. Scalp psoriasis affects everyone differently but even if you suffer with one of these symptoms you surely want to know how to stop scalp psoriasis.
Use The Right Products On Your Hair
Many of the products on the market arent good for people with scalp psoriasis because theyre simply too rough on the scalp. You should make sure youre using products that are gentle on the skin. There are some medicated shampoos and conditioners available for those who suffer with psoriasis, but want to make sure their hair looks healthy and smooth. These medicated shampoos are often paraben free and wont cause irritation to the scalp.
If your scalp psoriasis has you feeling frustrated and upset, Windsor Dermatology can assist you by providing medical services to help find relief. If youd like to get professional help for your condition, give us a call at 609-443-4500.
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Exfoliating Or Salicylic Acid
Some find using an exfoliating or salicylic acid can be helpful in softening the skin. An exfoliating acid is applied to the skin and may help as it is meant to weaken the bonds between skin cells. When the bonds are weakened the outer layer of skin cells will shed, which can help in removing scales.
There are several over-the-counter brands of lotions, creams, shampoos, gels and ointments that contain exfoliating acid. Some experience irritation on the skin and may experience side effects such as stinging and/or burning.
Salicylic acid is another option to prepare the skin for scale removal. Salicylic acid can aid in scale removal by softening keratin . While salicylic acid is an ingredient in some over-the-counter items it is important to discuss using this with your doctor as higher levels of the acid can cause health issues.
Typically salicylic acid is not recommended to be used on large areas of the body, over a prolonged period of time or on children.1 Some salicylic acid can be too harsh on the skin and therefore other options can be glycolic and lactic acids, which may be gentler.
Choose The Right Hairstyle
Though at times it may be practical to hide psoriasis with hats, headbands or bandanas, its not always practical. The good news is that how you style your hair can also help you hide any flare ups. Youll want to try to avoid any tight hairstyles, as pulling the hair into more of a locked in position can irritate affected areas. If you can, try to add volume and texture to your hairstyle, as a little bit of bounce can help hide scales. Bangs or adopting more of a shaggy hairdo can also help cover any breakouts that have developed on the forehead. Many barbers and salons know the best styles to help hide psoriasis, so dont be afraid to talk to them about your condition on your next visit.
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