How do I Treat Scalp Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a common skin condition that results in a scaly rash. Nearly half of all psoriasis suffers are also afflicted with scalp psoriasis. This produces very scaly, dry, inflamed patches on the scalp. This is not only uncomfortable, it's also embarrassing, as the scalp is in plain view. The heavy scaling is caused by the rapid growth of skin cells on the areas affected by psoriasis. In severe cases, the condition can cause hair loss.

It's tempting to try and scrape the thick crust off the scalp, but this only exacerbates the condition and causes more flaking. Unfortunately, the scalp is a difficult area to treat, but for those with a little patience, a treatment is out there; it just takes a bit of experimentation to find the best course of action for each individual case. Some of the luckier sufferers will find the condition clears up on its own, but for the rest, there is a large selection of products and medications to choose from.

When deciding on a treatment, the first thing to do is determine the severity of the scalp psoriasis. Thin flakes will require a different course of treatment than a thicker, more severe case. Unlike psoriasis on other locations of the body, thick creams and ointments should be avoided, or else the hair will collect and hold the gooey mixtures and will be resistant even to shampoo when it's time to remove the treatment.

For a mild case of scalp psoriasis, one might start with tar products. Tar products can be found in most drugstores and options include shampoos, gels, and lotions. If tar isn't effective, salicylic acid is also a popular alternative. Like tar, it can be found at most drug stores, and it comes in many different forms, including shampoos, ointments, gels, and pads. The pads are saturated with the salicylic acid and dabbed on the affected areas of the scalp.

For more severe cases, ultraviolet (UV) light is sometimes used, and more frequently, stronger topical corticosteroids are applied. Treatment of severe cases requires time and patience. Often, scalp psoriasis is at first resistant to a particular treatment, then gives in and begins improving, but later develops a tolerance. To remedy this, treatments should be rotated. It can take up to two months for scalp psoriasis to show a marked reduction in flakiness. It would behoove a person with a severe case to continue treatment until all signs of psoriasis are gone.