Diagnosing Scalp Psoriasis
Scalp psoriasis is a non-contagious skin disease that is very common. In fact, more than More than 4.5 million people in the
United States alone, have it. Scalp psoriasis appears when skin cells grow rapidly, leaving behind red lesions covered with a white scaly buildup. It can be very mild and only leave a fine scaling or severe with thick crusted scaling that can appear on the back of the head or in multiple patches all over the scalp. When the psoriasis is severe it can cause temporary hair loss. Unfortunately, there is no cure for scalp psoriasis, but there are medications and other treatments that can help control it.
Treating the Problem
The most common treatment for treating a mild case of scalp psoriasis is medicated products containing tar.
Products containing tar are generally available without a prescription and are the most common treatment used to treat scalp psoriasis. Coal tar is often used in medicated shampoos, creams and ointments, while wood tar is found in soaps, which can also be used to help treat scalp psoriasis. Usually wood soap is less expensive and last longer than shampoos. The only downfall to tar is that it can cause staining, especially if you have gray or white hair.
To Use: Generally a tar product such as shampoo is massaged into the scalp and left for a few minutes before rinsing. This form of treatment must be used on a continuous basis to see any results and may take several weeks before they are seen. Since tar products do let off a strong odor, you may want to use your favorite shampoo afterwards.
Another form of treatment for scalp psoriasis is a topical steroid. Topical steroids can be found in the form of creams, lotions, foams and solutions. They can only be prescribed by a doctor and should be used for several weeks without an abrupt stop to avoid a worse rebound of the psoriasis. If the treatment is resistant, your doctor may want to use an Ultraviolet (UV) light or UV comb in combination with the steroids.
To Use: Follow the directions as prescribed by your doctor.
Many people swear that lubricants work just as well as the medicated products listed above. Two of the most common lubricants used are baby oil and olive oil.
To Use:
Apply heated baby or olive oil to the scalp and wrap your head in a towel for a couple of hours. You can also apply the non-heated oil to scalp and blow-dry hair. Next, use a fine-tooth comb and gently loosen the psoriasis scale using a circular motion against the scalp. When you have loosened the scale, shampoo your hair to remove the scale from the hair. If you choose to use this method however, please use caution since removing the scales in a rough manner can break the skin and lead to a serious infection.
Treating your scalp psoriasis may seem like a chore, but in the end you will feel much better about yourself which is something we all deserve.
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Psoriasis is a non-contagious skin condition that shows itself through patches of red areas or silvery scales that appear on the legs, knees, arms, elbows, scalp, ears, and back. Toes and fingernails can also be affected by losing their shine and developing ridges and pits. This condition
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