Scalp psoriasis is a chronic skin condition triggered by an autoimmune disorder. With scalp psoriasis, your skin gets dry, itchy, scaly, and cracked, most often at the hairline and forehead. Scratching the skin to relieve the itch can irritate it and create an opportunity for infection to set in. Sometimes scalp psoriasis is mistaken for seborrheic dermatitis, but seborrheic dermatitis is usually easier to treat. You might see psoriasisflaring up only on your scalp, or it might show up on your elbows, back, knees, palms, and soles as well. There are up to 7.5 million people in the United States with some form of psoriasis, and many of them also have diabetes, heart disease, or obesity.
How is scalp psoriasis diagnosed?
Your doctor can most likely diagnose your condition with a visual examination, but a biopsy can confirm the diagnosis if needed.
Your doctor can most likely diagnose your condition with a visual examination, but a biopsy can confirm the diagnosis if needed.
What causes scalp psoriasis?
Due to an inflammatory disorder, immature skin cells reach the outer layer of skin and instead of shedding like skin cells typically do, they pile up in plaques. About one-third of people with psoriasis have another family member with the condition. People typically notice symptoms for the first time between the ages of 15 and 35. People with scalp psoriasis might find that it’s mild, moderate, or severe, with mild cases responding to minimal treatment, while severe cases can be debilitating. Scalp psoriasis can’t be cured, but symptoms can go into remission for months or years. It is not contagious.
Due to an inflammatory disorder, immature skin cells reach the outer layer of skin and instead of shedding like skin cells typically do, they pile up in plaques. About one-third of people with psoriasis have another family member with the condition. People typically notice symptoms for the first time between the ages of 15 and 35. People with scalp psoriasis might find that it’s mild, moderate, or severe, with mild cases responding to minimal treatment, while severe cases can be debilitating. Scalp psoriasis can’t be cured, but symptoms can go into remission for months or years. It is not contagious.
Certain things trigger flare-ups in some people, including:
How can I treat my scalp psoriasis?
No two cases of scalp psoriasis are the same, so you and your doctor might need to try different treatment combinations to find the one that works best for you.
No two cases of scalp psoriasis are the same, so you and your doctor might need to try different treatment combinations to find the one that works best for you.
For mild cases, you can try over-the-counter or prescription topical treatments such as medicated shampoos that contain ketoconazole, coal-tar applications, synthetic vitamin D, anthralin, tazarotene, and steroid creams. Some people find relief with salt or oatmeal baths, and some can loosen the scales by gently combing them away.
If topical treatments don’t work, your doctor might recommend adding phototherapy from sunlight or artificial light, which may clear your scalp-psoriasis symptoms in two to three months. You will need to carefully dole out your exposure to the sun, though, since sunburn can worsen symptoms. Laser therapy can also help clear scalp psoriasis; it usually takes eight to ten treatments.
In more complex cases, doctors will prescribe an oral or injected medication, most likely in conjunction with topical and light-therapy treatments.
While your scalp psoriasis is flaring up, keep the affected area moisturized and try cold compresses. Both can help reduce the itching. If you’re prone to wintertime flare-ups, try using a humidifier to help keep your skin from drying out.
While scalp psoriasis can’t be cured, steering clear of triggers and following treatment plans when flare-ups strike can help keep the condition at bay.
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