What is Scalp Psoriasis
This can occur on parts of your scalp or on the whole scalp. It causes red patches of skin covered in thick, silvery-white scales. Some people find scalp psoriasis extremely itchy, while others have no discomfort. In extreme cases, it can cause hair loss, although this is usually only temporary. Some people have told me it feels like their scalp is 'on fire' and they aren't wrong. A pins-and-needles sensation on your scalp is sometimes accompanied by itchiness, numbness, burning, or prickling sensations. Pain and sensitivity might occur alongside tingling. What's worse is the fact that so many products can set off the painful sensations of a sensitive scalp.
About Your Scalp
Scalp skin is some of the thickest skin of the body with 5 layers, and it carries more blood than the rest of your skin. This is why head wounds bleed so much. Your scalp also contains many sebaceous glands, which produce oil, or sebum, that protects hair. Because of the abundance of sebaceous glands, it’s important to clean your scalp thoroughly. If oil builds up, you can end up with clogged hair follicles or dandruff. Dandruff is caused by bacteria that get trapped in the oil and produce fatty acids that cause itching and swelling. This causes the skin cells on your scalp to replenish more frequently, and flakes of dead skin can get caught in your hair and fall to your shoulders.
Tip: Many skin conditions that affect the scalp can go unnoticed because of your hair, so it is important to try and check your scalp for moles and growths.
Top Tips for Scalp Psoriasis
- Treatments - Some shampoo treatments can be bought over the counter, however, if your scalp is covered with thick scale or doesn’t clear up, do consult your GP. There is a wide range of topical treatments that can be prescribed including coal tar, dithranol, salicylic acid, steroid creams and ointments, Vitamin D based treatments, as well as oils for moisturising the scalp, such as coconut or olive oil.
- Moisturise Your Scalp - When applying treatments, it is important to make sure they are applied to the scalp itself, rather than just the hair. Scalp treatments often make hair greasy, so some people find it more convenient to apply at night and then wash their hair in the morning, if the instructions for use allow. Moisturising your scalp and the affected skin can make the skin much more comfortable – it can decrease the dryness, scaling, cracking and soreness, and itching. Thick scales on your forehead, hairline, behind your ears, or on the back of your neck can be softened with coconut, olive, or peanut oil. Massage a small amount into your scalp, then put on a shower cap overnight, and shampoo in the morning. Repeat for two or three nights. The dead skin should soften and wash away.
- Flare Ups - Psoriasis tends to come and go. After treating their scalp psoriasis, some people may be lucky enough not to have a further flare up, and others may have periods of no scalp psoriasis followed by a flare up where it comes back again.
- No Scratching - It is normal to want to comb or brush hair, and it can actually be helpful to remove loose scales. Just take care not to scratch the scalp as this can cause more harm and irritation.
Ingredients for Managing Scalp Psoriasis
As a customisable hair care company we want our customers to find ingredients that work for them so you can create a solution for you. These are some incredible ingredients that are highly moisturising and full of Vitamin D and anti-inflammatory properties to help you get the best out of your hair products. We only use simple ingredients like water and can even allow you to create fragrance free products. Whatever you need to have the best experience possible.
- Clary Sage Hydrosol
- Tumeric Oil
- Coconut Oil
- Brazil Nut Oil
- Aloe vera Gel
- Black Seed Oil
- Lavender Essential Oil