Psoriasis and Your Scalp

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What is Psoriasis? will start in

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes excessive skin cell growth. Rashes, patches and flaking skin are the most common symptoms. Learn more.

Description:   Scalp psoriasis can involve mild itchiness or severe flares. Find out how to treat this condition in this video about psoriasis and your scalp.

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Last Modified: 2012-10-31 16:48:47

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Video Transcript

Psoriasis, whether on the scalp or elsewhere on the skin, interrupts the body’s natural process of shedding dead skin cells. This causes the cells to build up on the skin’s surface, forming rough, thick patches.  If the skin on your scalp is red, itchy or scaly, you may have scalp psoriasis, a condition that affects nearly 4 out of 5 people with psoriasis. Psoriasis may come and go, but when it flares up on your scalp it announces its presence by  flakes of dead skin in your hair or on your shoulders, especially after scratching your scalp. In severe cases it can even cause a thickened plaque and crust to form on the scalp and along the hairline. To prevent and manage scalp psoriasis, try avoiding triggers such as stress, cold weather, smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, certain infections or injuries to the skin. Medicated shampoos containing ingredients such as coal tar, salicylic acid, and corticosteroids can effectively control the flaking and itching associated with mild scalp psoriasis. UV light therapy or exposure to the sun can also help relieve symptoms of scalp psoriasis. For more severe cases of scalp psoriasis, your doctor or dermatologist may prescribe topical treatments such as corticosteroid foams or solutions, which are easier to use on the scalp, vitamin D analogs -- such as calcipotriene -- retinoids or skin products with salicylic acid. Systemic treatments for psoriasis can include retinoids, methotrexate or immunomodulators. Talk to your doctor about which treatment might be best for you. For more information on managing psoriasis, watch the other videos in this series.

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What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a common skin disorder that affects millions of Americans. It appears aspatches of thick skin with silvery scales, often on the elbows, knees, hands and scalp. Psoriasis is typically triggered by an immune response and the symptoms, which include itchiness and soreness, can range from mild to severe. .
 
Psoriasis and your Scalp
Psoriasis is relatively hard to diagnose as compared to other disorders, especially if it has developed on the scalp. It is usually confused with Seborrheic Dermatitis, which is commonly referred to as ‘cradle cap’. [cradle cap is primarily in infants] Although the symptoms for both of these disorders are quite similar, scalp psoriasismore often affects adults.


If you have psoriasis on your scalp, you will experience dry, itchy and  burning sensations. In addition, you may have reddish plaques, silvery white scales and suffer from hair loss. In severe cases, the thick crusty patches on the scalp may bleed when removed. Although the root cause of this disorder is unknown, there are a number of factors that can aggravate psoriasis on your scalp. Some of the most common triggers in this case are stress, medications and injury or trauma to the skin. Psoriasis is a lifelong condition that can affect you both physically and psychologically. Although getting rid of psoriasis can be  tough, there are a number of ways to control it effectively.
 
The Treatment Process 
Treating psoriasis on your scalp requires care and precaution. You can start the process of healing by relaxing. Treatment depends on the severity of the condition. There are a number of medications and topical ointments available that can help you control the symptoms. In addition, it is also recommended to consult a doctor who can make a more informed decision about the method of treatment best suited for you.

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