Top 4 Effective Treatments for Scalp Psoriasis: A Comprehensive Guide

Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes flaky patches of skin which can form scales, and in this blog post, we're going to cover four treatment options for psoriasis that affects your scalp, which is actually quite a common condition. Psoriasis patches can look pink or red with white or silvery scales on lighter skin tones, while on brown and black skin, the patches can appear purple or dark brown with gray scales.

In terms of prevalence, psoriasis affects around two in every 100 people in the UK. It can start at any age but most often develops in adults between 20 and 30 years old and then again between 50 and 60 years old. It affects men and women equally. The severity of psoriasis varies greatly from person to person. For some, it's just a minor irritation, but for others, it can have a significant impact on their quality of life. Psoriasis is a long-lasting or chronic disease that usually involves periods when you have no symptoms or mild symptoms, followed by periods when the symptoms are more severe or they flare up.

Now that we've recapped what psoriasis is, let's cover four potential treatment options for the scalp. Because of the overlying hair, scalp psoriasis can be difficult to treat and usually needs a combination of different medicines applied directly onto the scalp, such as creams, shampoos, or gels. These are known as topical medications. This blog will provide a broad overview of four main topical treatments for scalp psoriasis: topical steroids, vitamin D-like chemicals, medicated shampoos, and descaling ointments.

First of all, let's start with topical steroids. Topical steroids are frequently used to manage scalp psoriasis. Potent and very potent steroids like clobetasol are often used and are available as lotions, gels, foam, as well as prescription shampoos. These are more suitable than ointments and creams for hairy areas because they are less sticky. The skin is also much thicker on the scalp, so there is less concern about developing side effects from using topical steroids on the scalp, such as thinning of the skin or easy bruising. Nonetheless, you should only use steroids for the shortest amount of time possible, and it is worth speaking to your doctor about the side effects of steroids before using them.

Option two is vitamin D-like chemicals. These can also be used on the scalp; however, they have been shown to be less effective compared to topical steroids for scalp psoriasis. There are combination products containing both a topical steroid and vitamin D-like chemicals that are effective. Again, it's worth speaking to your doctor to see if this could be a potential treatment option for you.

Option three is medicated shampoos containing ingredients including coal tar, coconut oil, and salicylic acid. These can be helpful in managing scalp scaling in mild psoriasis. While I can't personally endorse any specific medicated shampoos, I have included a link in the description box of the video from the National Psoriasis Foundation, which lists shampoos that patients have recommended.

Option four is descaling ointments. These again contain salicylic acid and coconut oil and can be applied for several hours or overnight to treat thick, scaly areas before washing them out with a shampoo. Sometimes it is easier to rinse off the descaling ointment by applying shampoo to dry hair before getting it wet.

When using medicated shampoos and descaling ointments, you should follow these steps:
1. Part the hair and apply the descaling ointment directly onto the psoriasis area.
2. Leave it on for one hour or overnight, depending on the instructions.
3. Put an old towel over your pillow to avoid staining if you're leaving it on overnight.
4. When washing off the shampoo, first massage it into your scalp and leave it on for 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing it off. Sometimes it is easier to do this if the hair is still dry.
5. Once you've rinsed or washed your hair, use a comb to remove dandruff or the dead skin that has come off.

For specific medicines and shampoos, it's worth speaking to your pharmacist to see which ones they recommend for you. Alternatively, you can visit the National Psoriasis Foundation website, which contains a wealth of information not only on scalp psoriasis but also on psoriasis in general.

If your scalp psoriasis is not responding to over-the-counter treatments from the pharmacist, is becoming more severe, looks infected, or is painful, you should see your doctor.

I hope you found this blog post informative and helpful. If you would like to learn more about psoriasis, please check out the links provided. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them in the comment section below, and I will try my best to get back to you. If you are looking to scale your medical brand on YouTube or are interested in sponsoring our videos with your products, please don't hesitate to reach out. Thank you for reading, and until next time, take care!