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What is Scalp Psoriasis?

Scalp Psoriasis is actually part of a common chronic skin disease known as Psoriasis. In fact, about 50% of people suffering from Psoriasis have symptoms of the disease in multiple parts of their skin. To understand the cause of this scalp condition, you will have to understand about the main chronic condition.

Psoriasis is a non contagious inflammatory skin condition which has 5 sub-types

• Plague Psoriasis
  Inflammation, silverish scales, flaking and plagues.
• Guttate Psoriasis
  Red spots on the skin
• Inverse Psoriasis
  Found in armpits, the groin and skin foldings
• Pustular Psoriasis
  White blisters forming around red skin
• Erythoredermic
  Severe redness over large areas of the skin

This skin condition can also cause joint inflammation which is known as Proriatic Arthritis. Overall, 80% of the people suffering from this disease fall under the Plague Psoriasis category where you will find patches of red inflamed skin covered by silvery white scales that can occur anywhere on your skin including the scalp.

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What Causes Scalp Psoriasis?

Like a lot of chronic inflammatory skin conditions, the main trigger of the disease is still relatively unknown and could be caused by several factors. Researchers have conjured up several potential factors that can trigger this disease including

• Auto Immune Disorder
  One potential trigger for Scalp Psoriasis is often related to a defective immune system. Under certain circumstances, your immune system can accelerate the normal growth rate of your skin cells. In regular conditions, your skin cells can take up to 4 weeks to mature and shed but with an abnormal growth momentum, the cells will instead mature in 3-5 days. This will lead to a rapid accumulation cells on the skin's surface leading to lesions.
• Genetic Factors
  Scientists have found that genes might play a crucial role in this chronic condition. Like Diabetes and Pattern Baldness, the risk of getting this condition increases if you have a family history suffering from this disease.
• Trigger
  Some people might have this disease underlying but are sometimes lucky enough to never develop the medical symptoms because it is said that there must be a factor to activate this condition. Some potential triggers might include stress, injuries, medications, sun burn or a skin infection.

As there are no way you can avoid getting Psoriasis, it really depends on your luck. In most cases, this disease can be easily controled so not try not to worry to much over it. It's more important to put emphasis on accepting and handling the disease instead.

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Medical Symptoms

Most people often confuse Scalp Psoriasis with Seborrheic Dermatitis because both of these scalp conditions share similar symptoms like excessive flaking and redness. However if you observe closely, the characteristics of the condition can differ.

If you are suffering from Scalp Psoriasis you might experience symptoms like

• Red patches covered with silvery scales
• Dry and cracked skin that may bleed causing plagues
• Itching, soreness and burning sensation
• Chance of similar symptoms in other parts of your body

Seborrheic Dermatitis and Scalp Psoriasis

It's also quite common that you might suffer from both types of the scalp conditions. This overlapping condition is known as Sebo-Psoriasis. The scales seem to be less silvery and look more yellowish and greasy. The symptoms also tend to show only on the scalp, face and the chest which the pattern is similar to Seborrheic Dermatitis. You might also experience a darken inflammation accompanied with thick scalp scaling.

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Treating Scalp Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic condition which means it might resurface anytime during your lifetime. At the present moment, there is currently no permanent cure for the disease. What you can do is to reduce the symptoms and prevent the condition from affecting the quality of life.

For mild to moderate Scalp Psoriasis, you can use some of the medications that are proven effective for treating Seborrheic Dermatitis. However, you might notice that this disease is more persistent than its counterpart. If you are lucky enough, the symptoms might just disappear on its own without any further treatment.

Scalp Psoriasis is a bit more difficult to treat compared to other parts of your body because your hair usually makes the affected areas inaccessible and blocking the treatments from penetrating effectively. Make sure you part your hair before applying the treatments. Some of the most common types of treatment include

• Coal Tar Medication
  Comes in gels, shampoos and creams, coal tar has been proven effective in controlling this condition
• Ketoconazole
  An antifungal ingredient that is very efficient in eliminating fungus and removing dandruff. Great for Sebo-Psoriasis too.
• Salicylic acid
  Helps remove and prevent the occurrence of scaling. You can get it over the counter in topical forms for up to 3% of the active ingredient. Higher concentrations requires a prescription from your doctor.

You will need to continue the treatments until you manage to control and reduce the symptoms. The time frame for the treatments can be up to 8 weeks or longer. If the symptoms persist, you will need to see a doctor or dermatologist to prescribe you with stronger medications like

• Corticosteroids Lotion
• Daivonex (vitamin D solution)
• Anthalin
• Tazorec

Your doctor will be able to provide you with more information on these treatments. Also do check the Dandruff Shampoo Reviews page for reviews and information how to use some shampoos effectively.

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Need More Information?

Psoriasis is a major skin condition that does not only affect the scalp but other parts of your skin as well. Treatment methods may vary for different sub-types and areas of the skin. Therefore, you might need to get support and more relevant information on the disease.

The National Psoriasis Foundation provides detailed information on all types of this disease. If you would like to find out more on Psoriasis, you can read further here. (Opens a New Window)

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