Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the epidermis. The pathology is not contagious, since it is not caused by infectious causes, but by an autoimmune disorder. The disease is characterized by excessive division of skin cells, which leads to the formation of dense plaques. Inflammation affects any part of the body. Scalp psoriasis is a fairly common form of the disease. The peculiarity of the localization of rashes on the head is the complexity of the treatment. This form of psoriasis often becomes the cause of the development of complexes and dissatisfaction with oneself, as it is visible to others. The elements of the rash do not look aesthetically pleasing and require timely treatment.
The reasons for the development of the disease
Scalp psoriasis develops for the same reasons as skin lesions on the body. The factors that act as an impulse for the appearance of plaques on the skin can be:
- stress;
- seborrhea;
- prolonged exposure to the sun;
- allergic reaction;
- damage to the skin;
- decreased immunity.
Stress aggravates many diseases, including psoriasis.
Regardless of the reasons that triggered the development of the first episode of the disease, psoriasis is always accompanied by an excessive division of the epidermal cells, which explains the appearance of the elements of the rash. This is due to the body's autoimmune response, which triggers an immune attack on skin cells.
The disease is characterized by a wavy course with periods of exacerbation and remission. Doctors often call the pathology a psychosomatic disorder, since exacerbations of psoriasis are directly related to the psycho-emotional state of the patient.
Stress, lack of sleep, fatigue, lack of vitamins in the body can provoke an extraordinary exacerbation and the appearance of new elements of the rash.
Despite the repulsive appearance of the rash, psoriasis is not contagious at all, as it is the result of internal disorders, but not infections or viruses.
Despite the fact that doctors have not yet identified the exact cause of the development of the disease, most are inclined to believe that psoriasis is the result of systemic disorders in the body caused by an imbalance of hormones, instability of the nervous system and processes. metabolic. , malnutrition and cold weather.
Symptoms of psoriasis.
Psoriasis on the head begins with the appearance of dense nodules that are invisible to the outside. Over time, the nodules fuse with each other, forming islands. The skin around the groups of elements of the rash becomes swollen and inflamed, dry crusts and scaly areas may appear.
Over time, the nodules become dense and flat, flaking begins on their surface with the formation of large scales, in shape and structure similar to dandruff.
Scalp psoriasis is most often located in the temporal region, behind the ears, on the neck, and along the hairline. Often, flaking and plaques form throughout the gap.
The disease can manifest itself at any age. Most often, the first episode of psoriasis occurs during puberty and before age 20, or after age 35.
Scalp psoriasis is classified according to the severity of the symptoms. The mild form of the disease is characterized by the formation of isolated foci of inflammation and moderate scaling. Rashes of this form are not conspicuous and respond well to drug treatment.
For a severe course of psoriasis on the head, the photo of which allows you to assess the severity of symptoms, the entire head, the hair growth zone and the back of the neck are characteristic. The elements of the rash are large, the scales are very large and visible to the naked eye.
Scalp psoriasis can affect both the scalp and the skin around it.
Timely diagnosis plays an important role in scalp psoriasis. An experienced dermatologist will already make a diagnosis during an external examination of the patient. The difficulty lies in the fact that many patients do not go to the doctor, do not know what psoriasis looks like on the scalp, and mistake it for dandruff. It is important to remember that early stage psoriasis on the head responds well enough to treatment, however, the lack of timely therapy will inevitably lead to disease progression and damage more and more areas of the skin.
If you find the first symptoms of scalp damage, you should consult a doctor, because if psoriasis is diagnosed, treatment must be comprehensive and timely.
Stages of the disease
Regardless of the location of the rash, psoriasis of the scalp and the skin of the body always develops in several stages. The first stage is an exacerbation of the disease. During this period, new papules form on the skin, excessive division of epidermal cells is observed. The papules fuse into large lesions, which then transform into plaques and these, in turn, begin to detach. The duration of an exacerbation depends on several factors and can last up to several months. During this period, elements of the rash cover the scalp, the epidermis around the ears and neck, and can descend towards the back. Scalp psoriasis is often accompanied by focal lesions on the skin of the body.
The second stage of the disease is stationary. During this period, the progression of the disease stops, the number of elements of the rash does not change, the disease stops spreading to healthy areas of the skin. During the stationary stage, literally nothing happens: the plates do not increase in size, but they do not decrease either. The peeling remains the same, the epidermis looks dense and inflamed. This stage can also take many months.
The next stage is the decline of the disease. During this period, the inflammatory process subsides, desquamation stops, as the division of epidermal cells stops. The plaques gradually become softer, decrease in size, and then disappear completely. With proper skin care, after recovery from the disease, not a trace remains, however, most often, areas with impaired pigmentation form at the site of the plaques.
Then comes remission, during which the skin looks absolutely healthy. The duration of remission depends on the lifestyle and general health of the patient. It does not last forever, as psoriasis does not go away, it only goes away temporarily. The next exacerbation can occur in a few months or years due to stress, climate change, or lowered immunity. With the next exacerbation, psoriasis again progresses in several stages, beginning with the appearance of new papules, ending with a decrease in the size of the plaques and the complete restoration of the skin.
In mild forms, psoriasis can easily be mistaken for dandruff.
Diagnosis of the disease
Psoriatic rashes on the head can appear in both adults and children, since psoriasis in a child is not uncommon. It is important to timely detect the onset of the pathological process and visit a dermatologist.
The scraping method is used to diagnose the disease. The affected epidermis reacts to local damage with a series of specific signs that are characteristic only of psoriasis.
When scraped off, the scales flake off with dandruff without causing pain, itching, or discomfort. As a result of prolonged exposure and cleaning of the plaque from keratinized particles, a thin film of skin is found under the scales. It is inflamed, tinted bright pink, and glows like a stearin stain. If this film is damaged, tiny drops of blood appear on the surface of the plaque, indicating damage to capillaries that are too close under the skin.
This reaction of the epidermis is known as the "psoriatic triad" and is a unique symptom of this disease, allowing an accurate diagnosis without laboratory tests.
Treatment principle
A dermatologist will consult in detail on how to treat psoriasis on the head. The fact is that everyone's disease manifests itself in its own way, so there is no universal treatment regimen that will suit all patients without exception.
The goal of psoriasis therapy is to stop the progression of the disease, improve the appearance of the skin, and achieve long-lasting remission. As the practice of doctors shows, a properly selected treatment regimen allows you to forget about the disease for several years.
An integrated approach to psoriasis treatment is practiced, including:
- the use of hormonal ointments to relieve inflammation;
- use non-hormonal medications to relieve symptoms;
- physical therapy to speed up the recovery of the skin;
- changes in diet and spa procedures.
The basis of treatment is made up of drugs for external use, which are applied to the foci of inflammation. In some cases, the treatment is supplemented by taking pills for psoriasis on the head, preference is given to immunostimulating drugs and vitamin drugs.
It is impossible to cure psoriasis, but getting rid of its manifestations for a long time is quite possible.
Conservative therapy
Traditionally, dermatologists prescribe two types of skin treatments: non-hormonal ointments and glucocorticoid preparations.
Glucocorticoid ointments are used in short courses at the stage of exacerbation of the disease. They help stop inflammation and slow the progression of the disease, allowing you to quickly stop an exacerbation. However, these drugs are not safe. They enter the general bloodstream and have a systemic effect on the body, causing disturbances in the functioning of the liver, kidneys, and adrenal glands. Hormonal ointments are selected only by a dermatologist. Today, many doctors are moving away from the use of glucocorticoids in the treatment of psoriasis and have observed their short-term effect.
The main lines of fight against the disease are physical therapy, non-hormonal ointments and lifestyle changes.
Non-hormonal drugs are divided into several groups:
- Naphthalan and Solidol preparations;
- tar ointments;
- sulfur preparations;
- zinc-based creams.
These ointments have keratolytic properties, that is, they contribute to the exfoliation of the keratinized particles of the epidermis. All ointments do not have a systemic effect on the body and are oily based, therefore they quickly soften plaques.
Birch and coal tar based ointments are recommended for patients with oily scalps. Such funds stop the inflammatory process and increase local immunity, preventing further cell division in the affected area.
Solid oil naphthalene ointments are used for very dry plaques with a large amount of peel-off flakes. Its main objective is to prevent the spread of the pathological process to healthy skin. They effectively soften the affected areas and improve the general appearance of the epidermis, while providing an anti-inflammatory effect.
Zinc preparations exfoliate the skin and protect against secondary infections. They are used for any form of psoriasis of the scalp, since they act quickly and gently. Sulfur tar ointment, ointment with sulfur and zinc - these drugs are suitable for most patients and quickly have a pronounced therapeutic effect.
The advantage of non-hormonal drugs is their natural composition, the absence of contraindications and side effects. Such drugs can even be used to treat young children, as they do not have a systemic effect on the body.
The advantage of natural ointments is safety.
The course of treatment is on average 20 days, the ointment is applied up to three times a day. The disadvantage of treating the scalp with ointments is the messy appearance of the hair, since all drugs are greasy and quickly stain the hair. An alternative is special medicinal shampoos, however, as practice shows, the best therapeutic effect is achieved with the simultaneous use of shampoos and ointments.
General therapy
When treating head psoriasis at home, general strengthening therapy plays an important role. Dermatologists say that it is not enough to pick up ointments for psoriasis on the head, it is necessary to take measures to strengthen the whole body as a whole.
Complex therapy includes:
- sedatives
- antidepressants and tranquilizers;
- immunostimulants;
- vitamins
- tonics
- cytostatics;
- retinoids;
- antihistamines.
Since the exacerbation of psoriasis is always accompanied by stress and disturbance of the nervous system, sedatives and tranquilizers play an important role. The goal of such therapy is to minimize the destructive effects of stress, improve sleep, restore normal nervous system function, and normalize mood. Sedatives include drugs, alcoholic tinctures of valerian, peony, and motherwort. The medications are available without a prescription and are mild medications that can help normalize sleep and relieve stress. For depression, neurosis and other mental disorders that appear in the context of psoriasis, you should consult with a neurologist about the appointment of powerful drugs such as tranquilizers and antidepressants.
Also, vitamins (A, C, E, group B) are prescribed. Its objective is to normalize the activity of the nervous system, antioxidant effect, accelerate skin regeneration and normalize immunity. Preparations with antioxidants in the composition help to remove toxins from the body, restore skin regeneration and protect cells from negative influences.
Vitamins are essential for treatment.
Immunostimulants should be used, but only as directed by a physician. Self-administration of such drugs can adversely affect health and aggravate the course of the disease.
Cytostatics and retinoids stop the excessive division of epidermal cells, acting from the inside. Due to the large number of contraindications and side effects, these drugs are prescribed by a dermatologist after a full examination.
Shampoos for psoriasis
Despite the fact that the first line of treatment consists of ointments for psoriasis on the head, special shampoos are necessarily used. They help both to cure psoriasis on the scalp and to provide a gentle cleansing of the epidermis without drying it out.
You can use hypoallergenic baby shampoos for a gentle cleansing of the scalp.
The shampoos can be used up to three times a week. The course of treatment is 30 to 40 days and depends on the form of the disease. The shampoo is applied to damp hair, lathering up and rinsing off immediately; This is necessary to cleanse the scalp of the accumulated scales on the skin. Then the product is reapplied, lathered with massaging movements and left for five minutes, after which the drug should be washed off. Therefore, the shampoo cleanses the skin and has a therapeutic effect.
Among medicinal shampoo applications, there is a need for frequent hair washing, which appears messy due to the use of oily salves. For daily psoriasis shampoo, it is recommended to use baby shampoos with medicinal herbs in the composition: chamomile, calendula, sage. Preference should be given to products intended for children from the first days of life, since the composition of such shampoos is the most natural and safe.
Physiotherapy for psoriasis
Physical therapy helps increase the effectiveness of drug treatment. With scalp psoriasis, darsonvalization and PUVA therapy is considered the most effective and safest method.
The first method is based on exposure to low frequency currents. The procedure is performed using a special device with a comb-shaped electrode. In 10 minutes, simply style your hair with the included preparation. This effect improves metabolic processes and accelerates skin regeneration. Usually the course of treatment consists of 25 procedures.
One of the most popular treatments for psoriasis is PUVA therapy. It is a type of ultraviolet radiation. The result is an improvement in cutaneous trophism, an increase in local immunity and a stimulation of regeneration. The duration of treatment also consists of 20-25 procedures.
Home remedies
Traditional medicine knows how to get rid of psoriasis on the head as soon as possible, but dermatologists warn that such remedies can only be used in addition to medication and physiotherapy.
Home remedies will complement traditional treatment, but will not replace it.
Traditional remedies for scalp psoriasis are based on the preparation of rinses and masks from natural ingredients. Below are the most effective recipes.
- The sea buckthorn oil mask with yolk improves metabolic processes and accelerates recovery. Such a remedy can be used only at the stage of plaque healing, since sea buckthorn oil significantly accelerates this process. Another unique property of the oil is the prevention of pigmentation disorders in the areas of skin lesions. To prepare the mask, heat the oil a little to a comfortable temperature, mix with a yolk and a tablespoon of honey and apply to the scalp for 40 minutes.
- Another effective and safe remedy is a blue or green clay mask. Clay is rich in valuable micro and macro elements, improves metabolic processes, saturates skin cells with useful substances and accelerates recovery. To prepare the mask, pour the clay with warm water, mix and apply to the skin for half an hour under a plastic cap.
- Turn 4 tablespoons of fresh celandine in a meat grinder, squeeze through cheesecloth. Mix the resulting juice with half a glass of red wine and use a cotton swab to apply on the plates for 15 minutes, and then rinse with water. Fresh onion juice can be used in the same way.
- Pour 150 ml of medicinal alcohol into two large tablespoons of dried celandine flowers, pour into a glass container with a lid and leave for ten days. The medicine is then used to treat plaque. After applying the product, it should be washed off after 10 minutes. If you overexpose the celandine tincture, it can burn your skin.
Such home remedies for treating psoriasis on the head will help speed up recovery. Simultaneous treatment with drugs, folk remedies and tonics shows a good result.
Lifestyle and prognosis
With psoriasis, you need to rethink your lifestyle and change your diet. It is necessary to minimize the consumption of allergenic foods, give up fast food, smoked foods and fatty foods. It is important to avoid stress, to normalize the sleep and work schedule. For psoriasis, spa and climate change treatments are recommended. Mud baths and mineral salts help improve the condition of the skin.
The prognosis depends on the form of the disease and the methods of treatment. It is impossible to completely get rid of psoriasis, but properly selected therapy allows you to achieve long-term remission.
Preventive measures are to strengthen the nervous system and immunity, fight stress in a timely manner and a healthy lifestyle.