Scalp psoriasis

 

Scalp psoriasis is a kind of psoriasis. Psoriasis is a condition that affects the skin cells and makes changes in its life cycle. It can create a lot of distress and discomfort for the affected person. It results in a rapid collection of dead cells over the surface of skin, which may lead to the formation of silvery thick scales, and create itchy, red and dry patches which are often painful.

Among the subjects affected by psoriasis, almost half of them are suffering from scalp psoriasis. Scalp psoriasis causes flakes, which results in the formation of dandruff-like, sticky plaques and thick scales over the skin. The signs of scalp psoriasis can spread to nearby areas such as back of the neck, face and back of the ears.

Sponsored link

Symptoms of Scalp psoriasis

Some of the signs and symptoms of scalp psoriasis are:

  • Formation of itchy, red-colored patches on the scalp, covered by silver like white colored scales. The deposits of white scales can be seen on the shoulders of affected persons, or on their scalp hair, due to scratching of the head to soothe the itchiness.
  • Scalp psoriasis can be mild or severe. The mild one may have the fine formation of thin scales. Whereas the severe one would have the formation of thick scales and cake type plaques, covering the entire scalp area.
  • On rare occasions scalp psoriasis may spread to the adjacent areas, such as forehead, back of the neck, back of the ears and face.
  • If an affected person wears a colored cloth, the remains/flakes of scales over the shirt become visible. This can result in self consciousness which may eventually result in the affected person to suffer from depression, embarrassment and emotional distress.
  • Even though scalp psoriasis appears like other diseases such as seborrheic dermatitis, the characteristic that distinguishes scalp psoriasis from other skin ailments is the production of powdery flakes with silvery gloss. Seborrheic dermatitis, on the other hand, produces a greasy and yellowish look.
  • Normally scalp psoriasis does not cause any hair fall, but due to excessive scalp scratching by the affected person, there may be some loss of hair as well as hair fall.

Causes of Scalp psoriasis

The cause of scalp psoriasis is not known.

It is believed that the genetic predisposition within an individual can induce the malfunctioning of the immune system and thereby create conditions that increase the vulnerability to this skin disorder.

The body is protected from infection by the T-cells present in the immune system. But in patients of scalp psoriasis, it is believed that the T-cells mistake the healthy skin cells as rogue cells and go for a ruthless attack on such healthy cells.

To be able to have a constant fight, the overactive T-cells produce more red and white blood corpuscles and prepare an army for the fight, resulting in the death of increasing number of healthy cells. This causes the deposits of scales on the skin surface. As the attacks of the T-cells are rapid and quick, it leaves no time for such dead cells to slowly wither off from the surface of the skin.  The scaly deposits on the skin surface continue which gives the condition its characteristic appearance.

Some of the risk factors that increase the chances of developing scalp psoriasis are listed below:

  • Injuries, viral and other infections, which imbalance the immune system and increase the risk of developing scalp psoriasis.
  • Extreme cold weather conditions also cause the condition
  • Bad habits, such as smoking and drinking not only stand as a cause but also work as a catalyst in increasing the severity level of the disorder.
  • Increased stress and tension can disturb the immune system and thus create the right conditions to trigger the symptoms of scalp psoriasis.
  • Uncontrolled excessive body weight also increase the risk to developing scalp psoriasis.
  • Side effects of certain medicines such as beta blockers, lithium etc. used for controlling some other diseases, can also cause scalp psoriasis.
  • A family history of this disease increases the risk as well.

Treatment of Scalp psoriasis

Though the medications given for treating the scalp psoriasis contain the same ingredients of those medicines meant for other types of psoriasis, it would be in liquid forms such as foams, shampoos, oils, etc. However the medicines for other types of psoriasis would be in the form of ointments and creams.

Doctor may prescribe the following medicines for treating scalp psoriasis:

  • Anthralin
  • Dovonex
  • Keratolytics
  • Doctor may advice some of the systemic drugs and biologics for treating scalp psoriasis.
  • Shampoo with menthol or tar shampoos may be given for alleviating itching. Oral antihistamines and topical corticosteroids can also be used in addition to the above drugs to get relief from itching.

Laser therapy:

  • The portion of the affected scalp can be exposed to the natural sunlight or to the artificial ultraviolet A or ultraviolet B rays. This treatment can be taken along with the prescribed drugs or alone. A controlled exposure to UV rays of sunlight or the artificial ultraviolet rays, destroy the overactive T-cells thereby helping to reduce the inflammation and scaling.
  • Narrowband UVB therapy, Excimer laser, UVB phototherapy, PUVA, Pulsed dye laser, Goeckerman therapy and combination of light therapy with retinoids are some of the forms of available laser therapies.

Scalp psoriasis pictures

12 Comments

  1. Thank you for this article. I will also like to talk about the fact that it can be hard if you find yourself in school and just starting out to initiate a long history of credit. There are many college students who are just simply trying to survive and have a protracted or good credit history can occasionally be a difficult issue to have.

  2. I have discovered some significant things through your blog post. One other thing I would like to convey is that there are several games that you can buy which are designed mainly for preschool age little ones. They consist of pattern recognition, colors, pets, and styles. These commonly focus on familiarization in lieu of memorization. This will keep little children engaged without feeling like they are learning. Thanks

  3. I discovered more a new challenge on this weight-loss issue. One issue is that good nutrition is very vital when dieting. A big reduction in fast foods, sugary food, fried foods, sweet foods, pork, and white colored flour products might be necessary. Keeping wastes unwanted organisms, and poisons may prevent aims for fat loss. While specified drugs briefly solve the challenge, the terrible side effects are usually not worth it, and they never offer you more than a short-term solution. It is a known incontrovertible fact that 95 of fad diets fail. Thanks for sharing your notions on this blog.

  4. Does your blog have a contact page? I’m having a tough time locating it but, I’d like to send you an e-mail. I’ve got some recommendations for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great blog and I look forward to seeing it improve over time.

  5. you have an amazing blog right here! would you wish to make some invite posts on my blog?

  6. You made some nice points there. I did a search on the subject matter and found most persons will go along with with your blog.

  7. I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought an edginess over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again since exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this hike.

  8. Very good site you have here but I was wondering if you knew of any forums that cover the same topics talked about in this article? I’d really like to be a part of online community where I can get responses from other experienced people that share the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Thank you!

  9. I additionally believe that mesothelioma is a extraordinary form of many forms of cancer that is often found in individuals previously familiar with asbestos. Cancerous cellular material form within the mesothelium, which is a safety lining which covers a lot of the body’s internal organs. These cells generally form inside the lining in the lungs, stomach, or the sac that really encircles one’s heart. Thanks for discussing your ideas.

  10. I like the helpful info you supply in your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and take a look at again right here regularly. I’m relatively certain I抣l be told many new stuff proper here! Good luck for the next!

  11. Sweet blog! I found it while surfing around on Yahoo News. Do you have any tips on how to get listed in Yahoo News? I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Appreciate it

  12. Currently it appears like Drupal is the top blogging platform available right now.(from what I’ve read) Is that what you are using on your blog?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.