Scalp psoriasis can be quite an unpleasant problem. It’s best to look for a solution as soon as you notice the first signs of psoriasis. You can try various psoriasis hair treatments. Find out more about them!
About psoriasis hair treatment
Psoriasis hair treatments aim to reduce discomfort caused by scalp psoriasis.
Psoriasis is a skin condition; it occurs when our immune system mistakenly considers normal skin cells to be a pathogen. This leads to an overproduction of skin cells. There are five types of psoriasis: plaque, guttate, inverse, pustular, and erythrodermic. The most common is plaque psoriasis, characterized by red and white hues of scaly patches which appear on the skin.
When dealing with scalp psoriasis, symptoms vary based on whether you’ve got mild or severe psoriasis. With the former, symptoms include slight, fine scaling. Severe psoriasis has more unpleasant symptoms: white scales, dandruff-like flakes, reddish plaques, dry scalp, hair loss, itchiness, soreness, and burning sensation.
Unfortunately, no cure has been discovered yet. However, there are treatments that can help control the symptoms of the skin condition. This applies to scalp psoriasis, as well. This is why it’s best to try a psoriasis hair treatment, in order to reduce and control symptoms caused by scalp psoriasis.
You can try to control psoriasis symptoms with the following psoriasis hair treatments: topical treatment, medication, or home remedies.
Psoriasis Hair Treatment
When it comes to treating scalp psoriasis, the first psoriasis hair treatment you can try is a topical treatment. This includes shampoos and conditioners, as well as creams, oils, ointments, and gels. Check if the products you find contain one of these two medications: coal tar or salicylic acid. These two are a must when it comes to ingredients for scalp psoriasis treatments.
If you’re using topical treatments, remember that you need to apply them properly on the scalp, not just on the hair; this way, the treatment will be effective. Follow the instructions for each topical treatment and, usually after 2 months, you should see some improvement.
Your doctor might prescribe you medication if you’re dealing with moderate to severe scalp psoriasis. Common oral medications include corticosteroids, cyclosporine, or oral vitamin derivates (vitamin A and D).
When it comes to medication, another option is to take biologics. They are delivered either by injection or infusion, and they work to modify the immune system in order to prevent the overproduction of cells. The approved biologics are the following: Amevive, Raptiva, Remicade, Enbrel, and Stelara.
Your dermatologist can also help with office treatments. For mild psoriasis, the doctor can inject steroid medications. In case of severe psoriasis, your doctor might recommend phototherapy with a laser or a non-laser light source. You can also get phototherapy at home, by using a UV comb.
Homemade Psoriasis hair treatments
If you’re dealing with mild to moderate psoriasis, you can try psoriasis hair treatments prepared at home.
Oils can help with scalp psoriasis. Coconut oil and olive oil are especially recommended in this case. Warm up the oil a bit, then apply a very little amount to the affected area and cover your hair with a shower cap. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes and then rinse your hair.
Apple cider vinegar is another possibility when it comes to treating scalp psoriasis symptoms. Mix equal amounts of apple cider vinegar and warm water. Use a cotton disk and apply the mixture to the affected area. After 15-20 minutes, rinse your hair with water.
You can also try Dead Sea salt, as it is known to reduce symptoms of various skin conditions. You can mix Dead Sea salt with water and apply it the same way as the previous two. Another option is to add Dead Sea salt to a bathtub filled with warm water, in which you’re planning to soak and relax. This is a good solution if you’ve got other areas on your body affected by psoriasis.
Side effects
While psoriasis hair treatments help you control symptoms caused by scalp psoriasis, you should be careful with possible side effects triggered by these treatments.
The medication prescribed for moderate to severe psoriasis is considered very strong. It can lead to serious health problems, including liver damage. Because of this, it’s best to have your doctor monitor your condition while taking any medication.
Also, watch out for any allergic reactions to the used treatments. Common symptoms include skin rashes, difficulty in breathing, and swelling of the lips and tongue. If you get these, stop the treatment and contact your doctor.
If you’re dealing with scalp psoriasis, you can make your life easier and both your hair and scalp healthier by choosing from topical treatments, homemade ones, or prescribed medication. Reduce the unpleasant symptoms in order to make your scalp easier to handle!
