Scalp Psoriasis

Scalp Psoriasis Is Very Common

Scalp psoriasis is one of the most common forms of psoriasis, with over half of all psoriasis sufferers suffering from it. Having psoriasis of the scalp can be embarrassing and very uncomfortable indeed. To help you get the best out of your natural scalp treatments, I’d like to share the following information and tips with you, information I’ve found through my many years of treating psoriasis patients to include some of the best self-help information.

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You may have noticed that psoriasis appears most commonly on the knees and elbows, but it can affect any part of the skin. The scalp is characteristically affected in many people who have psoriasis. Scalp plaques produce excess scale and can itch, just like plaques that can exist literally anywhere on a person’s body.

If the scalp psoriasis is particularly severe, it can even cause a loss of scalp hair, which usually will return if the psoriasis can be controlled. The problem with scalp psoriasis however is that it can be difficult to treat when the scalp is covered with hair sufficient to act a barrier to the application of various medications that are applied topically.

What Kind Of Person Gets Scalp Psoriasis?

The truth is, anybody who has psoriasis can get scalp psoriasis because it is one of the most common places on the body to experience psoriasis. Psoriasis researchers have discovered that around half of all people who experience plaque psoriasis will probably have at least one if not more flare-ups of psoriasis involving the scalp region.

What Causes Scalp Psoriasis?

The causes of psoriasis are the same, regardless of what form of psoriasis it is. When a person’s immune system has faulty signals that tells the skin’s cells to grow too quickly, the person has developed psoriasis. New skin cells are supposed to form over a period of weeks in a healthy person, but in a person with psoriasis, skin cells can develop in a matter of days. The problem is that these rapidly growing skin cells have a tendency to pile up on the skin’s surface, causing the psoriasis skin to appear.

The 7 Signs And Symptoms Of Scalp Psoriasis

Scalp psoriasis is a very common form of psoriasis that I’ve seen in many patients over the years, it is in fact one of the most common kinds of psoriasis many will experience who have this chronic skin condition. It commonly occurs behind or around the ears, as you will see on the images on this page. It may cause silvery-white scales that can be most annoying and even quite embarrassing for many people. People who experience scalp psoriasis not only find that it may occur around the ear, it can occur at the crown of the head or affect any other part of the scalp. Apart from producing white, silvery flakes of skin that can fall onto your clothes or in your bed, it may also cause temporary hair loss which can be even more embarrassing than those skin flakes.

Sometimes a small patch of psoriasis develops as a result, which can be easy to hide with hair, especially if you allow your hair to grow longer. Unfortunately for some, scalp psoriasis can even cover the entire scalp. When psoriasis does appear on the scalp, you may notice the following:

Silvery white scales, or dandruff-like flaking. Some people who have scalp psoriasis in fact think they may have dandruff, especially if their psoriasis is mild. Most people who have scalp psoriasis will experience flaking skin. The big difference between scalp psoriasis and dandruff is that psoriasis skin flakes tend to be silvery and dry in appearance, whereas dandruff skin flakes have a tendency to be duller and even somewhat oily. Scalp patches with a reddish appearance. Some psoriasis skin patches are barely noticeable, but others can be red in appearance and have a very noticeable thick, inflamed look about them. Scalp dryness. Dryness is very characteristic of scalp psoriasis, and a person’s scalp may become so dry that the skin can even crack and bleed. Itching. Of all the symptoms a person will experience with psoriasis of the scalp, I’ve certainly noticed that itching is by far the most common one. For some the itch is mild; others have intense itching that can interfere with everyday life and even cause sleepless nights. Bleeding. One of the main problems with scalp psoriasis is itching, and it is this incessant itching that makes most people scratch the skin of their scalp, and regular itching can make the scalp bleed. Scratching can worsen the psoriasis and increase the risk of a skin infection. Besides these problems, scratching can make the psoriasis patches larger and thicker. Dermatologists often tell patients to not scratch their scalp. Soreness or burning sensation. The skin on the scalp can burn and feel very painful. Hair loss. Temporary hair loss can occur, because scratching the scalp or using force to remove the scale can cause skin trauma to the scalp and increase the risk of hair loss. Once the scalp psoriasis clears however, hair usually grows back.

These seven signs and symptoms are typical of scalp psoriasis, they can vary from person to person in their severity and they can come and go. Some psoriasis patients I have known experience one or more of these signs and symptoms as only mild flare-ups, whereas others will experience them as more severe flare-ups. Many things can trigger or cause a flare-up, including stress, cold, and dry air.

Scalp Psoriasis Diagnosis And Treatment

Scalp psoriasis stems from excessive cell growth and can lead to large white flaky patches of skin and severe dandruff, on top of the uncomfortable itching and even stinging or burning sensations. It’s not hard to diagnose scalp psoriasis, but it’s incredible how many people get it wrong in my opinion. I’ve seen many patients over the years with eczema who were diagnosed as having psoriasis. You may like to read the page entitled Psoriasis Diagnosis to familiarize yourself with the correct ways to diagnose this all too common skin complaint. Take a good look at the image above and you will be able to see the silvery, dry skin flakes that so so characteristic of scalp psoriasis.

Scalp Psoriasis Affects Everyone Differently

I have learned through clinical practice that everybody who has scalp psoriasis will experience it a little different from somebody else. For example, some will experience a lot of itching, whereas somebody else may notice that there scalp is very sensitive ranging from mild to quite severe and even burning and stinging at times. In its appearance, scalp psoriasis can range from mild to severe—small, red, rash-like bumps to thick, scaly, plaques.

Natural Scalp Psoriasis Treatment

The Natural Psoriasis Treatment Program website was created to inform on the psoriasis treatments you may be interested in administering to avoid unwanted side effects and to be the most effective and pro-active in preventing those flare ups and skin outbreaks. As an experienced clinician I feel it is important to inform you on the pros and cons of both conventional pharmaceutical treatments as well as natural psoriasis healing methods in order for you to make an informed choice right now as to what will be the most effective and clinically-proven psoriasis treatment option for you.

There are different ways to treat psoriasis but a natural psoriasis treatment is what most moderate to severe psoriasis sufferers end up looking for in my experience, particularly after they have tried and exhausted other methods of treatment. Be sure to read my topical treatments for psoriasis page, it is packed with many different natural hints and tips on how you can get your skin in top shape without the worry of all those chemicals.

There are many different ways to treat the symptoms of psoriasis and there are literally countless topical and systemic treatments that are commercially available. Chances are that you are one of the fifty percent of psoriasis sufferers who is unhappy with conventional treatment, and that’s why you are looking at this website right now.

There are many different websites you may like to look at when it comes to treating your psoriasis, and the website of The National Psoriasis Foundation is quite a good resource when it comes to providing you with biological, pharmaceutical, and consumer information on the many different treatments that might be prescribed by your medical doctor or dermatologist. They even have some information on various natural treatments, although their information is mostly conventional medical psoriasis treatments.

It is important for you to remember that psoriasis is considered an auto-immune disease by nature, and that there is NO miracle drug, herb or vitamin that will “cure” it. The most effective treatment means a holistic treatment program, a combined effort of medication (natural or drug-based), a healthy psoriasis diet, exercise as well as topical treatments that all contribute to minimizing those unwanted flare-ups and ease discomfort.

Over The Counter Scalp Psoriasis Treatments

There are many different kinds of topical treatments available over the counter, but sometimes a product like “Head and Shoulders” just isn’t good enough. You may have heard about coal tar treatments, they can certainly help to slow skin growth and reduce any itchiness, but who wants to smell like a petrochemical factory? You will find that a lot of consumer psoriasis shampoo products will contain anywhere from 0.5 up to 2 percent coal tar.

10 Tips For Managing Scalp Psoriasis

Avoid scratching your scalp as much as you can. As a practitioner who has seen many patients with scalp psoriasis, I realize that scalp psoriasis can be extremely itchy and most uncomfortable. But scratching, however, can make your psoriasis considerably worse and can cause the scalp to bleed. It also can cause scarring, hair loss, and even an increased risk of an infection of your skin. Relieve that itching scalp by treating your psoriasis naturally. When your scalp psoriasis clears, the itching will stop. Be sure to follow my Psoriasis Program, this will significantly decrease the healing time of your psoriasis. Shampoo with a natural shampoo, but go gently. Rubbing a chemical shampoo into your scalp may seem best because that’s what your dermatologist told you, but it’s not. There are several potentially significant side-effects. Rubbing, scrubbing, and scratching your scalp along with chemical preparations tend to make scalp psoriasis only worse. Always use a natural product for your scalp or your skin. Remove any psoriasis scales with care. I understand that it is important for you to loosen and remove the scale build-up on your scalp, but you must do this gently and NOT forcibly. Picking and scratching at psoriatic plaques can cause your scalp psoriasis to flare significantly. Picking plaques can also lead to unsightly and visible hair loss. Use a natural scale softener. A scale softener can help to remove those stubborn patches of psoriasis much more easily. Softening these patches also allows natural skin care products that you apply to the psoriasis to work better. When applying medicine to your scalp, be sure to lift your hair out of the way and try to avoid those chemical or pharmaceutical preparations on your skin. This helps ensure that you won’t be absorbing all those harmful chemicals and in addition that you will be applying the medicines to your scalp and not your hair. A stressful lifestyle will only make your psoriasis flare-up. Scalp psoriasis can be stressful in itself, but regular (and often unnecessary) flare-ups can be even more stressful. Leading a hurried and worried life, however, can make matters worse. Stress can worsen psoriasis because it increases your stress hormone cortisol which increases inflammation. Please make sure you read the information on this website with regard to adrenal fatigue, it may be the best tip on this page! Quality sleep is essential. When it comes to psoriasis, I recommend plenty of rest and learn in particular how to develop good sleep patterns if you want to achieve the best possible results. A natural and holistic psoriasis treatment approach includes plenty of good sleep. Eat the right kind of foods. Your diet can and will have a significant effect on your psoriasis. Follow The Psoriasis Diet if you are serious about improving your scalp psoriasis as much as you can. Be sure to avoid foods that increase inflammation. It is not only important to eat the right kind of foods, it is equally important to avoid foods that increase your likelihood of inflammation. An anti-inflammatory diet approach will go a long way towards reducing those flare-ups. Understand it is going to take time. Consider a four-month natural psoriasis treatment program Further Reading : Psoriasis Treatments Your Scalp Will Thank You For

Lifestyle Management Of Scalp Psoriasis

Scalp psoriasis responds particularly well to a positive and healthy lifestyle change, I’ve witnessed this countless times with many psoriasis patients. Apart from medical treatments, if you incorporate healthy behavioral patterns into your daily routine and regularly adhere to certain practices you will be able to keep any skin flare-ups, outbreaks and any aggravations of your symptoms to a minimum. I’d like you to read my Sun and Sea article and also The Psoriasis Lifestyle page for more detailed information on just how you can incorporate these healthy lifestyle practices into your routine.

You will find that some psoriasis websites and blog sites may mention detailed information on how you can add for example certain essential oils into your conventional psoriasis shampoo that will assist in keeping your scalp hydrated and moist, whereas others may give you some information on foods to avoid and to eat. Other websites like WebMD will inform you that coal tar and salicylic acid are two over-the-counter products approved by the FDA for psoriasis.

Unfortunately, most of these web sites fail to give you the complete picture when it comes to the healthiest psoriasis lifestyle, that not only includes natural psoriasis skin care, natural psoriasis diet information and the best exercise. I’ve yet to see a natural health psoriasis website that mention of the importance of adrenal fatigue and stress when it comes to improving your psoriasis naturally.

Make sure you wear lighter clothing with scalp psoriasis, especially your top, it will do a much better job of hiding any potentially skin flakes from showing. Preventing these flakes and any dandruff in the first place should be your main aim.

Putting It All Together

After more than two decades of treating those with psoriasis, I realized that it was time to formulate a natural treatment program that could make a big difference to the lives of those affected by psoriasis, especially those patients who had become dissatisfied with conventional medical treatment of their psoriasis.

Unlike any other approach you may have attempted before, The Psoriasis Program addresses every facet of psoriasis from every possible trigger and cause, the inflammation, right down to the very best natural skin treatments . The Psoriasis Program has been used by thousands of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis sufferers in over 50 countries with unparalleled success. It breaks psoriasis treatment down into a simple, easy to understand, and step-by-step approach that anyone of any age or any stage of psoriasis can use, even if

you’ve been treated with strong psoriasis drugs for many years.

You don’t have to continue relying on doctors who have no answers, nor spend thousands of dollars to see skin specialists who still aren’t trained to effectively address all of your needs when it comes to helping you improve all aspects of your health, besides just your skin. The purpose of the Psoriasis Program is to put the power back into your hands and to arm you with the knowledge to naturally and permanently reduce those psoriasis outbreaks and reclaim your life!

 

 

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