Scalp psoriasis - How do I fix it?

Psoriasis is a skin disease that flares up in different cycles. It is an auto-immune condition and appears mostly on elbows, scalp and knees although it can appear all over your body.

It appears as itchy, flaky, scaly patches that can be painful and cause stress.

It is a long term condition that can flare up for weeks or months at a time and then it goes into remission. As you mention, it can run in families and has a genetic disposition.

Normally skin cells reproduce and move from the deeper layer of the epidermis as they mature. This usually takes around 28 days. When you have psoriasis the process happens much quicker and can take about four days. Because the new skin has reproduced too quickly it causes a build-up which is like a silvery scaly skin. The epidermis of the skin starts to thicken and this causes red raised plaques.

Psoriasis starts inside the body with your immune system The red, scaly dry itchy patches are a result of inflammation which is caused by the body’s immune system. Every case of psoriasis is different and the severity can differ from person to person.

It can trigger in different ways. In some people it can be caused by stress, infections such as a throat infection, certain medications or physical injury.

Scalp psoriasis is one of the most common types. It extends around the hairline and can also be behind the ears. Once you have the inflammation under control it can take weeks after treatment for the flaking to subside.

As you have finished treatment six months ago I would suggest that you make appointment with a trichologist or dermatologist to get a regular treatment plan in place. There is no cure for psoriasis but with the right medication and aftercare it is possible to get your scalp back to normal when the flare up has subsided.

It can take some dedication by washing your hair daily and using certain ointments to gently lift the scaling. This type of treatment I find really effective for my patients and one they can do at home themselves in between clinic visits.

Here are some tips for decreasing the flakes and coping with your psoriasis.

Wash Your Hair Regularly

Washing your hair and scalp gently on a daily basis will help. Using a formulated shampoo will target the scales. Usually shampoos with coal tar help to soothe and products with salicylic acid will help to soften the scales and keep the scalp hydrated. Try MG217 which is a coal tar formula shampoo with 3% coal tar for more severe scaling.

Apply A Scalp Mask

Using a scalp mask before you shampoo can help to both cool your scalp and soften any flakes or scales. It’s worth using some warmth around the mask so wrap a hot towel around your head after applying the mask as this will help with lifting the flakes.

Leave the mask on for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing and washing out of your hair. The Philip Kingsley Anti-Dandruff Mask is a soothing scalp mask with salicylic acid and antioxidant-rich green tea extract. Which helps to calm the flakes and any irritation.

Use A Fine Tooth Comb

When removing the flakes use a fine tooth comb and very gently run the comb through your wet conditioned hair. Clean the comb as you go . Doing this type of descaling really helps but you have to be very careful as if your psoriasis is still at the inflamed stage otherwise it could start to bleed.

This is something that is best done in the beginning as a treatment by your Trichologist and once under control can be effectively carried out at home.

UV Light Therapy

UV light treatment can really help with clearing up scalp psoriasis. It can be done professionally or at home with a hand held UV comb. The light slows down the production of skin cells and a lot of people find it very effective.

Light therapy wont cure psoriasis but it can help to manage the condition and get it under control. Light therapy is best carried out by a professional and usually requires multiple sessions to get results.