Scalp Psoriasis Treatment

Scalp psoriasis treatment varies depending on the severity of the condition. It can be mild, moderate or severe. For the benefit of those not yet familiar with this disease, let’s discuss things from the basics.

What is Psoriasis of the Scalp?

Scalp psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that occurs when the normal cycle of skin cell regeneration becomes imbalance or abnormal. What happens is that the replacement of old skin cells become faster than normal.

Our skin regularly matures every 28-30 days, but in the case of psoriasis, it takes only 3-6 days to age and be replaced. So a pile of dead cells build up forming some thick, flaky, scaly, itchy patches called plaque.

A reddish scalp is one of the symptoms that is due to the soreness or inflammation caused by the hyperactivity of the T-cell, a white blood cell which is supposed to protect the body from infections and diseases.

There are many types of psoriasis and it can affect the other parts of the skin not only the scalp. It is usually developed in pressure points such as the elbows, knees, arms, legs, fingernails and toenails.

Some other types of psoriasis include:

Guttate
Flexural
Plaque
Pustular
Psoriatic arthritis
Erythrodermic
Nail

Psoriasis of the Scalp Causes

Psoriasis is triggered by some of the following things:

Immune system
Mental or emotional stress
Cuts
Wounds,
Skin trauma
Infections
Other physical injuries

Heredity is also a factor, it is being linked to a specific gene called HLA.

Scalp Psoriasis Treatment Options

Scalp psoriasis is not easy to cure and the treatment varies from person to person. The basis for the treatment will be the pattern, source or history of psoriasis, the size of the affected area, the severity of the case and the patient’s response to initial treatments.

These are the following remedies available as treatment for scalp psoriasis:

Topical medication – Products that are directly applied to the skin such as ointments, oils, lotions, creams and shampoos. The medication may contain any of the following drugs: anthralin, corticosteroids, retinoids, tar compounds and calcipotrene (Vitamin D). This remedy is for mild to moderate psoriasis. However, it may not completely heal the skin.

Phototherapy – An ultraviolent, light-wave radiation treatment for patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. Ultraviolent lights may come from any these types: natural sunlight, ultraviolent B or UVB (a short-wave length), Psoralen (a topical medicine) and ultraviolent A (long-wave length) and UVB therapy combined with other therapies like topical treatments. This has fewer side effects and is more effective for some.

Systemic agents – Different types of oral drugs or injections that affect not only the skin but the entire body system. It has the most side effects and is usually recommended for patient with severe psoriasis. Some of the medications used in this treatment are: alefacept, antibiotics, cyclosporine, etanercept, hydroxyurea, methotrexate, retinoids, and thioguanine.

Scalp psoriasis treatment may be costly and inconvenient because it requires your time and attention. You might even pass through the stage of frustration, depression and embarrassment while undergoing this treatment which can last from months to a year or years. Just don’t lose hope and remember that eventually your persistence will pay off.