This disease is a chronic, inflammatory and recurrent process that predominantly affects the scalp area.
It is generally accepted that psoriasis of the scalp is only the initial stage of the onset of psoriasis, which entails the development of more severe forms throughout the body.
Features of the manifestations and course of the disease
A disease such as psoriasis of the scalp manifests itself in the appearance of a dense "cap" in the scalp, which is subsequently accompanied by severe itching and flaking.
There is another variant of manifestations when single small plaques are formed.
The symptoms of psoriasis differ from seborrheic dermatitis, the complete absence of violations from the structure of the hair roots.
With psoriasis of the scalp, there are no symptoms of hair loss at all.
The scales that form in psoriasis contain a large amount of sebum, so they are easily identified by touch, which cannot be said about peeling during seborrheic dermatitis.
The most vulnerable areas of the head with psoriasis include:
- The area around the ears, earlobes.
- Parting area.
- Frontal, occipital and cervical region.
Psoriasis of the scalp is common, characterized by frequent relapses, and is chronic.
This dermatological disease always has a chronic degree, because it is impossible to completely recover.
It is the psoriatic disease on the scalp that is considered the most common.
The reasons for the development of the disease
The main cause of this condition is hereditary predisposition.
If close relatives of a person have this disease, then the probability of its hereditary transmission is at least 70%.
Secondary causes of psoriasis include:
- Hormonal imbalance.
- Decrease in the level of the body's defenses.
- Diseases of the liver and biliary tract.
- Alcohol abuse and tobacco smoking.
- Being in a state of constant stress, lack of sleep.
- Improper nutrition.
But these are far from all the reasons why this ailment may occur.
Some reasons are too rare, so they try not to mention them.
Most often, this disease is recorded in persons who have reached the age of 40-42 years and older. If people under the age of 20 suffer, then this is usually associated with a weakened immune system, or hormonal disruptions. Therefore, after prescribing a course of vitamins and restructuring a person with a focus on an active healthy lifestyle, irritations go away.
It is noticed that after any well-designed course of treatment, the skin is gradually cleared, no scars remain, and papules with inflammation do not return anymore.
The main symptoms
In whatever of the areas described above, psoriasis of the scalp develops, it will always be accompanied by the appearance of single or multiple foci of inflammation, which will be complemented by the appearance of characteristic dense scales, and accompanied by severe itching.
The primary stage of the disease has almost no pronounced symptoms, often patients do not know that dermatological pathology has overtaken them. The patient has no complaints, external examination does not show specific symptoms.
Also, some patients note that the initial stage is very similar to dandruff, therefore, long courses of treatment with shampoos are possible to eliminate the erroneous pathology.
If the process is neglected, then it can spread deep into the skin, affecting the root system of the hair and causing hair loss.
A disease such as psoriasis of the scalp has its own stages of the course, which include:
- Stage of progression. New symptoms of inflammation appear. This process takes place in the direction from the center to the periphery.
- Stationary stage. It is characterized by a relative calm, during which new inflammatory elements stop forming, but the existing symptoms do not disappear.
- Regression stage. At this stage, the main symptoms of psoriasis subside. Typical psoriatic eruptions are replaced by pigmentation foci.
Treatment features
A process such as the treatment of scalp psoriasis should be considered as a whole complex of measures. This set of measures can be roughly divided into:
- General therapy.
- Local therapy.
- Physiotherapy treatment.
- Spa treatment.
- Traditional methods.
General or drug therapy includes the appointment of the following groups of drugs that can effectively treat psoriasis:
- Sedatives.
- Multivitamin tablets.
- Hyposensitizing drugs.
- Drugs with a cytostatic effect.
- Corticosteroid medications.
- Antihistamines.
- Immunomodulatory agents.
- Drugs for nonspecific drug therapy (ATP).
It is important to remember that the use of drugs with a cytostatic effect and corticosteroids is possible only if the disease is severe. They should be used with extreme caution, otherwise they can cause a significant exacerbation of the disease.
Antibacterial drugs can be used only if pathogenic microflora is attached.
Local therapy for psoriasis of the scalp involves the use of the following agents:
- Ointments with keratoplastic action: ichthyol ointment, naphthalan ointment, salicylic ointment, sulfur-tar ointment.
- Glucocorticoid ointments. Such an ointment is used only in severe cases of the course of the disease.
- Folk remedies for topical use.
Shampoos are used as another effective treatment. The only caveat is that this tool will be effective only in combination with other methods.
As an effective remedy for the treatment of psoriasis of the scalp, the following have proven themselves:
- Tar shampoo.
- Zinc shampoo.
- Shampoo containing ketoconazole.
Physiotherapy is another effective topical remedy for treating psoriasis.
For the treatment of psoriasis of the head, the following physiotherapeutic agents are used:
- UV irradiation of the skin.
- Hydrotherapy.
- Plasmapheresis method.
- Hemisorption.
- Laser irradiation.
- Mud wraps and applications.
- Heliotherapy.
- Bathing in hydrogen sulphide springs and healing baths.
A typical technique is to relieve stress and psychological stress. To do this, the patient is prescribed sedatives to relieve a high level of nervous irritability. Saturation of the patient's body with vitamins is one of the most important details in treatment.
When determining which diet is best for a patient, attention is always paid to the compatibility of food and drugs, as well as the food itself within its range. This important detail helps to reduce the load on the patient's gastrointestinal tract, as well as his other internal organ systems.
As additional methods, folk remedies are used.
Traditional medicine methods
Can scalp psoriasis be cured using traditional methods? It is impossible to answer this question unambiguously.
We can only say that as an independent method of treatment, folk methods are ineffective, only as an addition to the main one. Let us consider in detail the most effective alternative methods that can treat psoriasis of the scalp.
Method number 1. It is necessary to prepare the celandine juice by first passing the celandine herb through a meat grinder and then squeezing it out. This product can be supplemented by adding 40 ml of dry red wine, and then can be applied in the form of lotions to the affected areas of the scalp.
Method number 2. To lubricate the scalp, you can also use an alcoholic tincture of celandine herb. To prepare it, you need to pour half a glass of dry herbs with 0. 5 liters of 70% medical alcohol (you can use vodka).
This remedy should be insisted for 7 days, after which it can be used to wipe the affected areas. Also, after applying the tincture, you can rinse your hair with a strong chamomile infusion.
Method number 3. As an excellent tool for general detoxification of the body, you can use "Monastery tea", which cleanses the body of toxins, cleanses the liver, and helps to get rid of all manifestations of psoriasis. During the treatment period, this tea can be drunk instead of the usual black or green tea.
Method number 4. It is possible to treat skin manifestations of psoriasis of the scalp using folk methods using the fruits and stems of rose hips.
To do this, it is necessary to burn the stems and fruits to the state of ash, after which this agent must be rubbed into the affected areas. For better absorption, pharmacy petroleum jelly can be added to the ash.
It is recommended to remove oil traces on the skin and hair from folk remedies with a vinegar solution. It is usually made in a proportion of 50x50 parts. There are many treatment options, but it is always important to choose the right one. For this, it is best to seek the advice of experts.
Prophylaxis
In order to prevent recurrence of scalp psoriasis, you must adhere to the following rules:
- Observe the rules of personal hygiene, properly care for your hair and scalp.
- Refuse from alcohol and tobacco smoking.
- Limit stressful situations as much as possible.
- Observe the mode of work and rest.
- Follow a special diet.
- Take multivitamin preparations every six months.
- It is necessary to dye your hair only with hypoallergenic dye, or not dye it at all.
- Treat all existing diseases in a timely manner.
- For the general strengthening of the body, it is necessary to use folk methods.
From all of the above, we can conclude that psoriasis of the scalp is not an independent disease, but just another manifestation of such a serious disease.
From the point of view of financial costs, the described treatment can be called budgetary, while the stereotype "the more expensive, the better" is unacceptable. There is nothing in the world more valuable than your own health and the health of your loved ones. And remember that it is better to prevent the disease than to cure it later.
Be healthy!