Scalp Psoriasis occurs in about %50 percent of the people who already suffer from skin psoriasis. Scalp Psoriasis can also progress and get worse without proper treatment. There are different stages of scalp psoriasis from mild to severe. A mild type of scalp psoriasis will have a slight fine scaling of the scalp that flakes like dandruff. And the more severe type of scalp psoriasis will have thicker plaques in the scalp with scaling.
The condition of scalp psoriasis can progress beyond the hairline and move onto the back of the ears, the forehead, and even the neck area. Without treatment the symptoms could progress further and cause emotional distress and in some cases in hair loss. To find the right treatment for scalp psoriasis you must understand that treatment of the scalp would be different than treatment of the skin.
Using the usual treatments for skin psoriasis wouldn’t work too well on the scalp and would end up being messy. Using creams and ointments that you would usually use on the skin would end up making scalp application greasy and messy. So it is better to use liquids, foams, and shampoos for the scalp psoriasis treatment.
The most common types of scalp psoriasis treatments are those that contain ingredients such as:
- Coal Tar
- Keratolytics
- Corticosteroids
- Dovonex
- Anthralin
Most Topical Corticosteroid treatments come in the form of gels, lotions, oils, and shampoos which all help to treat scalp psoriasis. Results could be seen within weeks after usage.
However, for products made with Coal Tar could contain carcinogens that will cause cancer. Most scalp psoriasis treatment products will state which ingredients are in their products so if you see Coal Tar in a product then please do not over use it. It goes with the same concept if someone smokes tobacco or consumes alcohol; do not use too much or it will be bad!
