Scalp psoriasis: what is it?

Scalp psoriasis is an autoimmune disease caused by a very abrupt cell turnover. Common symptoms associated with the condition are circumscribed red patches associated with whitish scaling, burning, and itching.

The most common manifestations of psoriasis involve the scalp (about half of sufferers), but also ears, elbows and knees.

What is meant by psoriasis

The term psoriasis denotes a non-contagious autoimmune disease characterized by symptoms such as red areas, scaling and itching. More specifically, the condition is classified as a chronic inflammation that affects different areas of our body, such as the scalp, elbows, knees but also the nails.

On a biological level, psoriasis leads to a very pronounced turnover of skin cells: instead of 28-30 days, the cells take a maximum of 7 days to replace themselves.

There are several causes that can lead to the development of the disease. There are also several possible treatments to the condition.

Cause of Psoriasis

The condition of psoriasis can depend on very different factors. The main ones are:

• Heredity: you are predisposed to develop this disease over time. This depends on the information contained in the genetic heritage of DNA that is passed from generation to generation.
• Daily habits: unhealthy habits such as drinking a lot of alcohol or smoking a lot of cigarettes can damage hair and even facilitate the appearance of psoriasis.
• Traumatic events or stress: in particular, in the case of trauma, we speak about the Koebner phenomenon.

Scalp Psoriasis

This type of condition is one of the most common when suffering from psoriasis. It is evidenced by the appearance of reddish patches along with whitish plaques on the head. The latter usually cover the outer layer of the skin, thickening it.

When suffering from this disease, the skin of the head becomes particularly dry, and may be accompanied by dandruff.

When plaques form on the head are caused by psoriasis, it is easy to identify them as they have a rounded and limited shape.

Scalp psoriasis causes hair loss

This is one of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to talk about the correlation between psoriasis and hair loss..

Theoretically, the psoriasis of the scalp does not cause an increase in phenomenon of alopecia..

However, in cases where the disease is widespread on the scalp, the presence of whitish plaques may extend to cover the entire surface of the head..

In these cases, along with the severe blemish caused by the visual effect of the disease, there may also be damages to the hair bulbs of the hair, with a potential fall.

How to treat scalp psoriasis

If you suffer from this condition, or if you have any doubt, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist for a thorough examination..

Available treatments primarily involve the use of synthetic forms of vitamin D to slow down cell growth along with the administration of corticosteroids.

If the condition is at an advanced stage, the doctor will recommend a stronger therapy, such as phototherapy.

In any case, it is essential to keep a good scalp hygiene by carrying out washes with specific modalities and products.