Scalp Psoriasis

Scalp psoriasis is a subtype of psoriasis manifesting on the hair covered area of the head. It may be severe or mild. It can affect the entire scalp or just certain areas. The symptoms are visible, thick, silvery layers of dead skin cells, soreness of the scalp, bleeding and a lot of itching, and a feeling of tightness of the scalp if large areas are covered. It occurs in patients that have an attack on the immune system, stress, or hormonal changes. Stress is a contributing factor of this disease, like all types of psoriasis. There are about three percent of Americans diagnosed with psoriasis. Scalp psoriasis is not contagious,-it is considered to be a hereditary disease. The affected areas are called plaques and may be localized to a specific part of the scalp or be spread all over.

Scratching the area can make the disease worse. It causes flaking of the skin much like dandruff and can be very embarrassing to the patient. Proper treatment of the scalp can help to manage it. The doctor prescribes steroid liniments, among other medicines. The pain caused by the disease can become very uncomfortable and the itching unbearable.

This disease can cause other problems with relationships, self-esteem and self-confidence. Constant itching and scratching is not very attractive to some of the people around you, and flaking and layers of “white snow” on the jacket is hard to handle for the victim. It can damage the self-perception because one gets very self-conscious of whether someone is watching your scratching or not, or even worse, the dandruff. It is disconcerting to imagine that this disease has no cure and may be a life long illness. However, the hope that you have is that there are treatments to manage the disease and help you to live a normal life.

There are several different types of treatment that is accessible to patients of scalp psoriasis. A doctor’s visit may allow the patient to get prescription medication to assist in the healing of the scalp. However, medication could also be some kind of natural medicine depending on the severity of the disease. See also treatment for psoriasis by clicking here.

There are over the counter drugs that can help with treating the patient’s scalp psoriasis. The patient has to be wise in this decision. The pharmacist may be able to help, but it is better to see a doctor about this before taking that route. An anti-inflammatory medication (steroid liniment) may be suggested by the physician, which will help to reduce any itching and inflammation.

Treatments for scalp psoriasis may need to be continued over time to see the best results. Make sure you wash the hair regularly with specific shampoos that are made especially for scalp psoriasis disease.

A coal tar shampoo helps to remove the scaling from the scalp. After shampoo, add a cortisone lotion to the scalp. Keep up this routine until improvements are recognized. Brush and comb the hair on a regular basis to remove any scaling.

You can also use natural remedies and essential oils (see link above) as alternative ways to treat the disease. You can also fix chamomile tea, cool it and use as a hair rinse. Neem oil, eucalyptus oil and lavender are good natural products for healing the disease. Neem oil will help to stop the itching and the lavender acts as a soothing agent and stimulates hair growth. It also has anti itch properties.

Use natural sulphate free shampoos with wheat germ or jojoba oils. This will help to moisturize and keep the scalp healthy.

Mix water with tamanu oil, pour into a spray bottle and put on scalp. Or you can just massage the tamanu oil into the scalp drop by drop. You may also add the oil to your shampoo or conditioner.

Spending thirty minutes under a UVB light is a way to speed up the healing process, if the rays find access to the scalp skin .

There are many more remedies for scalp psoriasis. You have to find the one that works best for you. Hair hygiene is the ultimate plan of action to keep scalp healthy. If the condition persists, you should seek the help of a doctor.

Regular treatment with natural remedies should heal the condition. A combination of the herbal remedy, the essential oil and tamanu oil will do the trick.