Do you notice a silvery, scaly buildup on your scalp? Is your scalp itchy most of the time? You may be suffering from scalp psoriasis. This is a skin disease. Psoriasis can affect skin on any part of the body.
Scalp psoriasis or infection causes hair loss due to the continuous scratching of the scalp to ease itching. This damages hair follicles.
This is an autoimmune disease, affecting about 7.6 million Americans, as per a survey.
What exactly happens in this infection?
During cell regeneration, newer cells are produced. Dead cells move towards the surface. This is a gradual process. Eventually, dead cells are shed off. The whole process takes around 30 days.
In case of psoriasis, the process can happen in just a few days.
This is what exactly happens. The infection fastens cell regeneration. Dead cells quickly accumulate on skin surface. Before they get shed, more dead cells come up. As a result, a buildup takes place. Doctors call it plaque.
Psoriasis can happen anywhere on the body, but when it happens on the scalp, you see buildup of silvery flakes. They itch badly. As you scratch (and it’s hard not to), you hurt the skin and follicles present in it. Continuous scratching damages follicles. It badly affects hair health and growth cycle.
Symptoms
Your skin drastically changes when infected. It could be anywhere – scalp, behind ears, back of neck, or forehead.
In case of scalp infection, you may notice:
- Red patches. They can be prominent and inflamed lesions.
- Silvery flakes. You may mistake it for dandruff.
- Dry scalp. It may bleed. Cracks may develop.
- Itching, which could be mild or extreme enough to interfere with your sleep and daily activities.
- Soreness of scalp.
- Pain and burning sensation on scalp.
- Hair loss.
Your dermatologist can prescribe you appropriate treatment for this skin condition. Meanwhile, you must save your hair.
The American Academy of Dermatology advises against doing certain things when suffering from scalp Psoriasis.
What not to do?
- Do not remove the flakes and scales forcefully. You loosen your hair shaft while doing so. This lets the hair fall off. Brush off the flakes gently.
- Do not pick on the scales. It can aggravate the condition and cause a flare up.
- Do not keep your fingernails long. Psoriasis can be quite itchy. Scratching with long nails can hurt your scalp and follicles.
- Do not use harsh shampoos. Your scalp is already dry. Sulfate-laden shampoos can worsen the dryness. Use sulfate-free, mild shampoos from reputable brands like Keranique.
- Do not use blow dryers. They can cause excessive dryness of scalp. Dry scalp leads to dry hair, which are more prone to breakage.
- Do not undergo frequent hair treatments like coloring, straightening, and others. Always test the product on a small patch of skin before undergoing the full treatment. If it irritates the scalp, drop it.
- Do not continue with the psoriasis treatment, if it seems too harsh on your scalp. Dermatologists usually prescribe stronger treatments, as scalp skin is thicker than skin of other areas.
Once your scalp is clean of the infection, it’s wise to keep it well-moisturized and nourished with essential oils and vitamin-fortified shampoos.
Samuel Logan
Samuel is a writer with a proven track record of offering the right advice to various types of hair loss issues faced by men and women. He loves sharing valuable information on how to leverage the power of technology for stunning looks.
