Table of contents:
- What is scalp psoriasis?
- Signs and symptoms of psoriasis on the scalp
- Can psoriasis cause hair loss?
- Overcoming psoriasis on the scalp
- 1. psoriasis shampoo
- 2. Conditioner
- 3. Topical medicine
- 4. Systemic treatment
Psoriasis can not only occur on the outside of the elbows, knees, or nails, but can also appear on the scalp. If symptoms appear, they can affect your hair. But you don't need to worry, there are various treatment options that you can choose to relieve symptoms.
What is scalp psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a skin disease characterized by the appearance of thick, scaly red patches. Psoriasis can also attack the scalp. This condition can cause your scalp to dry out and feel very itchy.
Psoriasis is a non-contagious skin disease. It is not certain what causes it, but its appearance is closely related to disorders of the immune system. An abnormal immune system response will promote faster skin cell growth.
The process of changing body cells, including scalp cells, in healthy people usually takes about a month. In people with psoriasis, this process only takes a few days. As a result, new skin cells accumulate on the surface of the skin and form dry, reddish plaques.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), as many as 50 percent of people who have psoriasis in any part of the body are prone to experiencing the same symptoms on the scalp.
That means, once you get psoriasis, whether it's on the elbows, knees, or nails, then the symptoms are also at risk of appearing on the scalp.
Signs and symptoms of psoriasis on the scalp
The main symptom of scalp psoriasis is often confused with dandruff because they both cause itching. Yet if you look further, the symptoms of dandruff and psoriasis are very different.
Dandruff itself is caused by the Malassezia fungus that lives on the scalp. The proliferation of fungi will irritate the scalp, causing a buildup of dead skin cells. This buildup of skin later crusts up and peels off, forming white flakes that are the hallmark of dandruff.
Meanwhile, psoriasis causes symptoms in the form of thick, red, and scaly skin. Psoriasis generally will cause itching, pain, and even cause a burning sensation on the skin. Not only occurs on the scalp, this psoriasis can also spread to the forehead, back of the neck, to the area around the ears.
Appearance of psoriasis may be more like seborrheic dermatitis. The difference is that seborrheic dermatitis is characterized by the appearance of yellowish-white scales that stick to the hair shafts. In addition, the symptoms caused by seborrheic dermatitis look greasy. While the inflamed skin in psoriasis is silvery white and tends to be dry like a powder.
Symptoms of psoriasis can also appear simultaneously on parts of the body other than the head and face, namely on the elbows, knees, hands or feet.
Can psoriasis cause hair loss?
Psoriasis doesn't actually cause hair loss. However, you may experience hair loss from scratching the scalp when itching.
The itching that comes from psoriasis can be unbearable. As a result, you will continue to scratch. Unfortunately, instead of relieving the itching, this actually exacerbates the inflammation that occurs on the scalp.
Without realizing it, this habit results in damage to the hair shaft and follicles, resulting in hair loss.
In addition, the chemicals in shampoo or scalp care products can also trigger hair loss.
However, you don't need to worry immediately. The good news is, hair loss due to psoriasis is only temporary. Your hair will grow again once your scalp is clear of psoriasis.
Overcoming psoriasis on the scalp
Compared to dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis symptoms are difficult to control. Not infrequently, psoriasis sufferers must try several psoriasis medications and medications first before finding the one that is most suitable for their skin condition.
Proper psoriasis treatment must also be adjusted to the severity of the disease. Severe psoriasis conditions can require systemic treatment that will treat the symptoms of psoriasis that appear in addition to the scalp.
Indeed, the treatment that is carried out does not completely cure psoriasis. However, medication can help control symptoms and prevent future recurrences. Treatment will also prevent lingering symptoms.
The following are various treatment options for treating scalp psoriasis.
1. psoriasis shampoo
When you wash your hair, use a psoriasis shampoo that contains salicylic acid, coal tar, or one that contains keratolytic agents. This content can relieve itching and remove scaly skin.
Apart from suppressing the symptoms that arise due to skin inflammation, the use of psoriasis-specific shampoos also increases the absorption of topical drugs or ointments on the scalp.
Apart from salicylic acid, a study conducted by Canada's Quebec Center for Dermatology Research proved a shampoo that contains 5 percent Clobetasol propionate safe and effective in dealing with mild scalp psoriasis symptoms.
Treatment of psoriasis with new shampoo is seen after one to two weeks. Therefore, this treatment should be done in the early stages of disease progression and used regularly after symptoms disappear to prevent psoriasis flares.
When using it, massage the shampoo on your scalp, then let it sit for 5-10 minutes so that the ingredients can absorb into the scalp. If necessary, repeat the use of shampoo and then rinse with water.
2. Conditioner
Using conditioner after using shampoo is highly recommended for psoriasis sufferers. The reason is, this one hair care product can moisturize the scalp, soothe inflammation and reduce itching.
Apart from using conditioner regularly, it is also recommended that you use hair products that contain menthol. The cool sensation will help reduce pain and inflammation in the scalp.
3. Topical medicine
There are a number of creams or ointments that can relieve or prevent psoriasis from spreading. Usually, these creams or ointments serve to increase moisture and help remove scales on the scalp.
Some of the psoriasis medications that are usually prescribed by doctors include the following.
- Anthralin to normalize skin growth and remove psoriasis scales.
- Antimicrobials to prevent bacterial or fungal infections that can worsen psoriasis symptoms.
- Calcipotriene is a vitamin D derivative. Vitamin D plays an important role in boosting the immune system and treating psoriasis.
- Steroid ointment to suppress skin inflammation quickly.
Not only does it treat symptoms, creams that are applied can also help make hair roots stronger. Use it regularly for 8 weeks or more until your scalp has healed from psoriasis.
4. Systemic treatment
In conditions of severe or persistent symptoms, doctors can give systemic drugs either orally (taken by mouth) or by injection. Systemic treatment means the drug works by circulating throughout the body through the bloodstream.
Severe symptoms may be indicated by the appearance of a fungal infection of the skin. Some of the types of oral medications used in the treatment of systemic psoriasis are:
- corticosteroids,
- cyclosporine,
- methotrexate, and
- tazarotene, a drug derived from vitamin A.
However, systemic medications carry a serious risk of side effects, so their use should always be under the supervision of a doctor.
Keep in mind, treating scalp psoriasis may also be a little more difficult. Given the presence of hair growing, it will take longer to ensure that the drugs used have actually reached the affected area.
Therefore, if you have questions about the use of a good drug, do not hesitate to consult a skin specialist. You also need to avoid the various causes that can trigger psoriasis symptoms to help with the treatment process.
