Q: How do you get rid of psoriasis? My scalp looks awful. - Y.G.
A: According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, at least half of the people with psoriasis have it on their scalp. The Foundation states:
Scalp psoriasis can be very mild, with slight, fine scaling. It can also be very severe with thick, crusted plaques covering the entire scalp. Psoriasis can extend beyond the hairline onto the forehead, the back of the neck and around the ears.
Other skin disorders, such as seborrheic dermatitis, may look similar to psoriasis. However, scalp psoriasis appears powdery with a silvery sheen, while seborrheic dermatitis appears yellowish and greasy.
Treatment depends on how severe or mild your scalp psoriasis is. Tar products, topical treatments with salicylic acid, over-the-counter and doctor prescribed shampoos are some of the common treatments. See your dermatologist for the best course of treatment.
For moderate to severe scalp psoriasis, common topical treatments include:
If you are unable to do topical treatments, or if they no longer work as effectively, prescription treatments that work internally include:
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Home Remedies
There are many home remedies that people have used to treat their psoriasis. Most of them have not been scientifically proven but it never hurts to try.
Quit smoking – smoking triggers flares. Nicotine patches make psoriasis worse, so talk to your doctor about other smoking cessation products.
Heavy drinking can also trigger symptoms and affect your treatment.
Stress can make psoriasis and itching worse. There are many things you can do to de-stress: eat healthy, drink plenty of water, exercise and get plenty of sleep.
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Moisturizing your skin is very important to reduce dryness, itching, redness, soreness, and scaling. Moisture can help it heal.
Sunlight is healing. Get modest amounts of sunlight two to three times a week. You'll want your scalp to get as much sunlight as possible. Wear hairstyles with lots of parts. Don’t forget your sunscreen.
Daily warm baths using a mild soap can help soothe itchy spots and remove dry skin. For more relief, add oil, finely ground oatmeal, Epsom salt, or dead sea salt to the water and soak for 15 minutes. After you bathe, pat your skin dry; do not rub your skin with a towel. If you do not have time for a bath, put a wet towel or cold compress on the trouble spot. Then moisturize your skin with an ointment, lotion or whatever works for your skin.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to 'Ask Dr. Renee'. Follow me on Twitter @AskDrRenee and on my website.
