Alisha Bridges has lived and thrived with psoriasis for over two decades. She is a blogger and health advocate who strives to inspire others with her story of living with a chronic condition.
4 Things to Consider When Choosing a Treatment for Scalp Psoriasis Scalp psoriasis can causes the scalp to itch, bleed, burn, and sometimes leads to temporary hair loss. Symptoms include thick patches of dry skin with a silvery-white scale (plaque) on the scalp that is often mistaken for dandruff. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF), 45 to 56 percent of people living with psoriasis have scalp psoriasis. Psoriasis is considered an immune-mediated disease, which means dysregulation of normal functions of the immune system. When it comes to treating scalp psoriasis, it requires more tedious, targeted, and consistent treatment methods. Some prescriptions can be used for only a limited time due intensity of the treatment on the skin. There are several ways you can work to control scalp psoriasis symptoms, including using a combination of prescribed and over-the-counter medicines. Scalp Psoriasis Treatment Options There are currently 3 ways you can treat psoriasis: 1. Biologics injections— You can treat psoriasis internally by injecting biologics, diet, or oral medications/supplements. These treatment options target immune or digestive system components*, responsible for causing psoriasis. 2. Topical treatments— Topical treatments target specific areas impacted by psoriasis and are applied directly to the scalp. There are prescription and over-the-counter medicines available for use. 3. Phototherapy— The process of exposing the skin to ultraviolet light on a regular basis and under medical supervision is called phototherapy. There are devices specifically made to apply light therapy directly to the scalp. These treatments come in the form of over-the-counter, which doesn't require a prescription or options that need a doctor's approval. 4 Things to Consider When Choosing a Treatment for Scalp Psoriasis There are several different ways you can treat scalp psoriasis. When picking a treatment, you should consider these 4 factors: 1. What is your Hair Type? Do you have straight or coiled hair? This is important to consider when choosing a treatment for the scalp. It is recommended that individuals with straight hair wash it every 2-3 days, while people with curly/coily hair types should do so every 7-10 days. The pattern of the hair requires different maintenance techniques, so it is essential to consider this when choosing a treatment for scalp psoriasis. Be sure to consider how often the treatment is used and the ingredients to ensure the treatment is compatible with your specific hair type. 2. What are your Symptoms? Although a specific set of symptoms characterizes psoriasis, everyone will not experience them in the same way. Scalp psoriasis symptoms include red or purple patches, dry skin, flaking, itching, bleeding, and temporary hair loss. Symptoms vary from person to person. The itching due to dry skin may be the worst part for some. the worst part. Ingredients that alleviate the itch include calamine, hydrocortisone, camphor, diphenhydramine hydrochloride (HCl), benzocaine, pramoxine hydrochloride, and menthol. For others, flaking may cause the most strife. Optional treatments for it include salicylic acid, coal tar, oils, moisturizers, and shampoos. 3. How Severe is your Psoriasis? We highlighted the various treatment options for psoriasis. Some treatments require a certain level of severity to be prescribed. For some, their most significant problem with psoriasis is in the scalp. Although the scalp is only a small percentage of the body, having the disease in this area can still significantly impact one's mental health and self-image. If the scalp is where your psoriasis is most severe and the rest of your body isn't impacted, it's best to do a targeted treatment specific to the area through the use of hair creams and shampoos. In most instances, a doctor will suggest using both internal and external methods to decrease the symptoms of psoriasis. A great internal method could be turmeric supplements, such as Nuvothera Turmeric. If you have psoriasis in multiple places, a more systematic treatment may be appropriate. 4. Is your Skin Sensitive? When applying anything topical, you need to ensure it will not have adverse effects. You don't want to make your skin worse by using something too strong. If you have sensitive skin, it's best to use natural products and test a small patch of skin before applying the treatment to your entire scalp. Be aware of how it makes your skin feel. If it makes your skin burn, itch, or cause hair loss, you should stop the treatment and speak with a doctor immediately. * Research identifies that the gut may contribute to having psoriasis. 
