Psoriasis is a chronic disease, accompanied primarily by skin lesions. The disease proceeds with frequent relapses, while rashes can appear on almost any part of the body. Psoriasis on the scalp is also possible. Of course, hair and integumentary tissues in this case need appropriate care and treatment.
Of course, many people are looking for more information. Why does scalp psoriasis appear? What can cause rashes to appear? What symptoms should you pay attention to? How to cure psoriasis on the head? What shampoos and ointments are better to use? How to achieve stable remission? The answers to these questions are important to many readers.
General information
Psoriasis on the head is registered quite often. Unfortunately, to date, the exact mechanisms of the development of this disease are unknown. This is a chronic, systemic pathology, which is characterized by an inadequate response of the immune system to stimuli.
Such processes lead toexcessive growth and accelerated division of epithelial skin cells. Old cells do not have time to exfoliate naturally, so new cells are layered on top of them. As a result, small tubercles and nodules are formed on the skin, covered with epithelial scales. Gradually, inflammation of a non-infectious nature develops. In most cases, the formation of psoriatic plaques on the scalp does not affect the growth and condition of the hair.
According to statistics, people of young and mature age most often suffer from this disease. The development of psoriasis is also possible in children, as well as in elderly patients, but such cases are recorded less frequently.
Factors causing exacerbation
Psoriasis of the scalp is a chronic disease. Properly selected therapy helps to relieve skin inflammation, but complications do occur from time to time. Relapse can be triggered by various factors:
- disturbances in the work of the endocrine glands;
- changes in hormonal levels, which is typical, for example, for adolescents, pregnant women and patients during menopause;
- infection of the body with pathological bacteria, viruses and fungi;
- immunological disorders;
- presence of foci of chronic inflammation in the body;
- disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, diseases of the digestive system;
- skin injuries in the scalp (wounds, burns, permanent scratches, etc.);
- hypothermia (we are talking about both single andand often repeated cases, which is observed, for example, when refusing a headdress in cold weather);
- ingestion of toxic substances;
- taking certain medications;
- the patient has bad habits;
- malnutrition (alcohol, citrus fruits, cocoa, caffeine, sweets have been proven to trigger flare-ups);
- nervous and physical strain, exhaustion, constant stress.
Psoriasis on the head: photos and symptoms
Of course, to begin with, it is worth learning more about the features of the clinical picture. What does scalp psoriasis look like?
- The initial stage is accompanied by the appearance of rashes. The first elements of the rash are small, round, pink papules.
- Gradually, the tissues covering the rash begin to dry and peel off. In this phase, skin irritation and itching appear, which disturb the patient.
- Inflammation joins the process, resulting in more itching and discomfort.
- Patients tend to scratch their skin, resulting in abrasions, cracks, small wounds, abrasions on the integument.
- Papules merge with each other, forming large plaques. The skin in the affected areas becomes rough and thickened. As a rule, rashes are localized on the skin around the auricles, on the tissues of the forehead, occipital region, back of the neck.
- Epithelial cells begin to peel off, resulting in dandruff. By the way,patients often ignore the problem, mistaking it for a normal allergic reaction to cosmetics or seborrhea.
- The scales on the surface of the plaques thicken and turn into large white flakes.
- Irritation and itching intensifies. Along with this, there is a decrease in tissue elasticity, as a result of which they are easily injured.
- Gradually, plaques and scales spread to the entire scalp, and if left untreated, beyond the hairline.
Features of the clinical picture in children
We have already figured out what psoriasis looks like, the photo of the initial stage (on the head) is posted above, and also found out what are the reasons for the development of exacerbations. But in younger patients, the clinical picture sometimes looks different.
First, small areas of redness appear on the scalp. Gradually, the integument here macerates, softens, and begins to get wet. As the disease progresses, scales form on the surface of the spots and begin to flake off. Quite often, these symptoms of psoriasis are mistaken for diaper rash, so the baby receives therapy late.
Psoriasis of the scalp: treatment
You already know what pathology looks like and why it develops. But how to treat psoriasis on the head? It is immediately worth noting that therapy in this case must necessarily be complex.
- Sedative drugs help to cope with stress, which is often known to be a trigger.
- To the therapy regimendesensitizing medications are required to help manage symptoms.
- Antihistamine drugs, in particular, Suprastin, Tavegil, Dimedrol, block the release of histamine and stop the allergic reaction, relieve swelling of the skin and mucous membranes.
- Non-specific immunotherapy is also carried out.
- Vitamin complexes also have a positive effect on the state of the body, as they normalize the immune system and metabolic processes.
- Aromatic retinoids, in particular acetretin and etretinate, are introduced into the treatment regimen.
- Intravenous injection of Hemodez solution.
In the most severe cases, cytostatics and corticosteroids are introduced into the treatment regimen. These are quite powerful drugs that quickly stop the process of active division of skin cells and relieve inflammation.
External products
In addition to systemic therapy, local treatment is also necessary, which involves the use of solutions, creams and other drugs. What ointment for psoriasis on the head can be considered the most effective?
- First of all, doctors prescribe keratoplastic ointments, in particular, salicylic, sulfur-tar, ichthyol. Such drugs contribute to the restoration of the epidermis. This helps to prevent the growth of plaques, eliminate inflammation, peeling, itching.
- In more severe cases, ointments containing corticosteroids are included in the treatment regimen. Hormonal ointments act much faster, eliminating discomfort andinflammation. On the other hand, these are quite powerful drugs, the active components of which penetrate the systemic circulation and affect the entire body.
Which shampoos to use?
Today, many people are faced with such a problem as psoriasis on the head. Naturally, medications help to cope with the symptoms. But for the care of affected skin, it is very important to use the appropriate products. What shampoo for psoriasis on the head helps?
Specialists most often recommend tar-based products. For example, the Zinc Plus Birch Tar shampoo from the Green Pharmacy manufacturer is popular, it helps to reduce flaking and dry plaques. A good result is given by "Algopix" and "Friderm tar".
"Psorilom" is also a good remedy for psoriasis on the head. In addition to birch tar, the shampoo contains extracts of celandine, string and chamomile. The drug acts as an antiseptic, has antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties.
According to statistics, psoriasis of the scalp is often complicated by a fungal infection, which only aggravates the patient's condition. In such cases, patients use special shampoos, in particular, such products as Sebozol, Nizoral, Keto Plus.
Outside of periods of exacerbation, hypoallergenic baby shampoos, which do not contain potentially dangerous substances, can be used to wash your hair.
Scalp and hair care rules
Psoriasis of the scalp is an extremely unpleasant type of disease that can lead to dangerous complications, including hair loss, infection of tissues by bacteria or fungi. Drugs can certainly improve the situation. But psoriasis on the head requires careful care.
- To begin with, it is worth saying that you need to wash your hair daily, carefully treating not only the hair, but also the affected areas of the skin. Use appropriate shampoos for hygiene procedures.
- Comb your hair carefully, trying not to damage the psoriatic plaques. It is better for patients to get combs made from natural materials.
- Combs, combs, hairpins and all other devices must be disinfected daily, as there is a high risk of infection of the scalp.
- Experts recommend not to abuse the hair dryer. If its use is still necessary, then the device must be turned on at an average temperature and not kept close to the scalp. Hot air dries the tissues and only aggravates the patient's discomfort.
- During an exacerbation, it is better to avoid procedures that can injure areas of psoriatic lesions (perms, hair coloring), stop using curlers, irons and other styling devices.
Psychotropic drugs for psoriasis
In some cases, psychotropic drugs are introduced into the treatment regimen, including mood stabilizers, antipsychotic drugs, antidepressants. Such tools help solve several problems.
- Frequent relapses, constant itching and discomfort, changes in appearance often lead to increased nervousness, anxiety, social phobia, and sometimes depression in the patient. Such mental disorders only exacerbate the condition. It is in such cases that the aforementioned medicines help.
- Specially selected psychotropic drugs help increase resistance to constant stress, as well as reduce the number of exacerbations and the intensity of symptoms against a background of nervous overexertion.
- Drugs help improve the quality of sleep, which allows the body to rest and recover.
- Discomfort and itching have been proven to decrease with psychotropic therapy.
Other treatments
What should patients who develop psoriasis on the head do? Treatment often includes physiotherapy, including plasmapheresis, hydrotherapy. A good result is obtained by ultraviolet irradiation and exposure to an erbium laser.
Also, patients are recommended to undergo spa treatment from time to time, preferably in sanatoriums located near the sea. Bathing in hydrogen sulfide springs, a course of hydrogen sulfide baths, mud therapy, heliotherapy - all this helps to get rid of skin rashes and achieve stable remission.
Traditional medicine
Traditional medicine offers a huge number of remedies to help cope with skin lesions on the background of psoriasis.
- Effective is celandine juice. 300 gfresh grass plants are recommended to be passed through a meat grinder. The resulting mixture must be squeezed out, and the resulting juice mixed with 30 ml of dry wine (preferably red, natural). Lubricate the affected areas of the skin on the head with the resulting liquid, and after 15 minutes, wash off its remnants with warm (not hot) water.
- You can also use alcohol tincture of celandine. You can buy it in a pharmacy already ready-made. If desired, it is possible to prepare the medicine yourself. To do this, you will need a quarter cup of the dry herb of the plant (also sold in pharmacies). Pour raw materials with 500 ml of medical alcohol (in extreme cases, you can also use vodka), cover the container with a lid and leave for several hours. Alcohol tincture is rubbed on the affected areas of the skin. If the procedure is accompanied by burning and itching, then the medicine must be washed off. It should be understood that alcohol dries the skin.
- Rose hips are often used to make homemade medicine. The branches of the plant must first be dried, and then burned and collected ashes (in its pure form) in a separate bowl. Mix the ashes with the same amount of vaseline. This remedy is considered an excellent ointment that helps relieve inflammation and eliminate physical discomfort. Patient reviews indicate that the effect appears after a week (if we are talking about daily use). The medicine has a drawback - ash heavily pollutes the hair, so you need to wash your hair daily using medicated shampoo or regular tar soap.
- If you wish, you can use the funds for internal reception. efficientconsidered to be an infusion of black elderberry. It's easy to prepare. A large spoonful of plant flowers should be poured with 450 ml of boiling water. Cover the container with a lid and leave for 1-1.5 hours. Once the mixture has cooled and infused, it must be filtered through cheesecloth. Herbalists recommend drinking half a glass of infusion per day. It is best to take the medicine after meals.
- You can also use herbal preparations to prepare a home remedy. First, we mix equal amounts of calamus root and elecampane, black elderberry flowers, dried lingonberry leaves, celandine grass, horsetail and St. John's wort. A mixture of herbs (a full dessert spoon) is poured into a glass of water, put on a small fire and brought to a boil. As soon as the broth has cooled, the medicine is ready for use, you just need to strain the mixture. Take half a glass every day.
- A honey hair mask is also considered good. It's not that hard to cook it. First you need to beat the egg white with a whisk, add a tablespoon of natural honey and mix with a small amount of hypoallergenic baby shampoo. The mixture is applied to the affected areas of the skin. The rest of the mask is washed off after 15 minutes.
- Leather can be treated with oils. First you need to thoroughly wash your hair, cleansing the skin. We mix olive and peanut oil in equal amounts, warm it up slightly, and then rub it into the skin of the scalp. On top of the head you need to cover with polyethylene (the best option would be a shower cap). Warm with a towel on top. The oil compress should be left overnight. In the morning, wash off the remnants (by the way, the oil can be easily removed by rinsing the hairapple cider vinegar solution).
Of course, you can use any means (both homemade and medicinal) only with the permission of your doctor.
What you need to know about nutrition?
Scalp psoriasis has been reported frequently. But it should be understood that this is a systemic disease that in one way or another affects the work of all systems and organs. And an integral part of therapy is proper nutrition.
Patients are advised to exclude fried, spicy and spicy foods from the menu. It is necessary to sharply limit the amount of sugar, simple carbohydrates and animal fats. The use of chocolate, coffee, cocoa, spices, seasonings, canned food is contraindicated. Under the ban and alcohol, carbonated drinks, products with dyes. The fact is that such food and drinks irritate the intestinal mucosa, triggering a cascade of various physiological reactions, which ultimately leads to exacerbation of psoriasis and the appearance of skin rashes.
Prevention measures
You already know what is and why psoriasis appears on the head. Treatment, of course, allows you to cope with the symptoms of the disease, but not completely get rid of it. That is why it is important for patients to adhere to some recommendations in order to prevent the onset of exacerbations.
- It is important to follow the right diet, completely eliminating potentially dangerous foods from it.
- It is worth giving up alcohol, tobacco and other bad habits.
- Periodically, patients are advised to take vitamin complexes.
- Normal is importantmode of work and rest, as overexertion, stress and exhaustion lead to a relapse of the disease.
Of course, today there is no way to completely protect yourself from complications. But these simple rules significantly reduce the risk of their development. Naturally, after the first signs of illness appear, you need to see a doctor.
