One of the most common forms of the disease is scalp psoriasis.
The disease itself is not an infectious process, but, nevertheless, the disease is of an inflammatory nature.
The symptoms of psoriasis are very typical for fungal diseases - red or pink spots on the head, which have a different shape.
In addition to the formation of single or multiple rashes, itching, tingling and inflammation occur on the skin.
Causes of psoriasis
Why does psoriasis occur on the head and what is it? Doctors still do not know why some people develop scalp psoriasis. Doctors occasionally present new theories and refute the old ones. The causes of the development of the disease are often associated with a genetic predisposition, and the factors that cause their occurrence include:
- Genetic load - it has been proven that parents with psoriasis are more likely to have children with this diagnosis by an order of magnitude.
- Violation of the formation and maturation of epidermal cells, according to one hypothesis, is the main reason for the development of the disease.
- There is also an assumption that the reason is not in the epidermis, but in the immunity of the organism that produces the wrong factors that negatively affect the skin.
- Disorders in the endocrine system, according to some scientists, also contribute to the development of the disease.
Autoimmune processes in the body of a sick person are considered to be the most probable cause of the development of psoriasis today.
Is your hair falling out?
Often, patients suffering from a disease are interested in the question - can psoriasis be observed hair loss? It should be noted that mass baldness does not occur. If such a process occurs, then in a small amount, because the hair follicles are deep and the disease does not affect them.
Is psoriasis contagious?
This fear is associated with the unusual occurrence of psoriasis and its history. In ancient times, psoriasis was mistaken for a form of the dreaded leprosy disease. For the above reasons for the appearance of psoriasis, it is clear that this disease cannot fall into the category of infectious. Therefore, the answer to the question of whether it is possible to get psoriasis is one - no.
Symptoms
Scalp psoriasis is accompanied by the appearance of a characteristic rash on the skin, represented by spots or, more often, plaques ranging from pale pink to brownish-red. In most cases, the elements of the rash are infiltrated from a minimal palpable elevation above the level of healthy skin to a pronounced infiltration greater than 1 mm.
In the initial stages, only diffuse, without inflammatory manifestations and clear borders, abundant peeling in the form of dandruff is possible. It is very similar to other scalp dermatoses, which greatly complicates the differential diagnosis and treatment of psoriasis of the scalp.
The most typical symptom of psoriasis is the "psoriatic crown" - the transition of the process from the scalp to the smooth skin of adjacent areas of the forehead, to areas above and behind the ears, to the back of the earlobes, occipital region and back of the neck.
Depending on the area and severity of symptoms, there are 3 degrees of scalp damage:
- Easy- its main manifestation is the appearance on the head of small individual lesions covered with thin tiny scales;
- Heavy- Psoriasis completely affects the scalp, the size of the scales is much larger, and they are much thicker than in milder diseases.
Clinical studies show that in most patients no single factor can be identified that could explain the onset of the disease. A combination of several of these reasons is most often observed, which provides the basis for classifying psoriasis as a polyethiological disease.
The difference between psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis
Differential diagnostic signs of psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis:
- Psoriasis, unlike diabetes mellitus, is characterized by more pronounced infiltration of rash elements due to acanthosis and hyperproliferation of the epidermis.
- The rash in psoriasis often extends beyond the scalp, to the forehead (so-called "psoriatic crown"), to the neck, ears.
- Peeling in psoriasis is dry, in diabetes the scales are greasy.
- More severe itching is observed in diabetes.
It is also necessary to carefully examine and examine the patient for damage to nails and joints, the presence of which may speak in favor of psoriasis and significantly affect further tactics of therapy.
Treatment of scalp psoriasis
When scalp psoriasis is diagnosed, a number of measures are used to treat it, including:
- general therapy;
- local treatment;
- physiotherapy procedures;
- Spa treatment.
In mild cases of scalp psoriasis and lack of progression, in most cases it is enough to prescribe local remedies - shampoos, gels, ointments, tar, etc. At the same time, the therapy of a constantly progressive inflammatory process may require the use of a wider arsenal of pharmacological drugs of different groups and physiotherapeutic techniques.
How to treat psoriasis with medication?
Physicians may include the following medications in the general therapy complex:
- Vitamin complexes and vitamins C, A and group B;
- Nonspecific immunotherapeutic drugs: ATP, Aloe;
- Aromatic retinoids;
- Cytostatics;
- Hemodes solution;
- Enterosorbents;
- Monoclonal antibodies;
- Immunodulators;
- Antihistamines;
- NVPS;
- Sedatives;
- Calcified autologous blood.
The inclusion of corticosteroid drugs and cytostatics in the treatment is recommended in severe psoriasis and significant severity of scalp symptoms. They must be used very carefully: such means can cause a worsening of the course of the disease.
Scalp psoriasis shampoo
Is It Possible To Cure Scalp Psoriasis With Shampoos? As a rule, the use of even a very effective shampoo is not enough. However, the use of special drugs in complex therapy is a prerequisite for the success of treatment.
All medicated shampoos help reduce the inflammatory process, alleviate or reduce itching, but the use of only one shampoo is not effective - the treatment must be comprehensive.
Fats
Topical treatment always helps to increase the effectiveness of the drug. In the progressive stage of psoriasis, 2% salicylic and boron-salidol ointments will be useful. If there is an exudative component and severe inflammation, then the appointment of creams and ointments with corticosteroids will be necessary.
Non-hormonal fats contain birch, pine, juniper and charcoal tar. They can be produced both as fats and as a paste.
Diet for psoriasis of the head
The diet should be balanced. Portions of food should be small, according to the principle "less is better, but more often". The last meal should be no later than 19-00 hours, at night it is allowed to drink a glass of kefir or yogurt.
- It is necessary to completely give up alcoholic beverages. Their use during remission can cause deterioration.
- Fatty, spicy and smoked foods should be excluded from the diet.
- Sweets are also not recommended - cakes, cookies, chocolate, sugar - all this should be prohibited in psoriasis. Only small amounts of honey are allowed.
Sea buckthorn tea, rosehip or blackcurrant leaves will be useful as a drink.
Spa treatment
During your stay in hospitals, you must follow the following procedures:
- heliotherapy;
- mud therapy;
- hydrogen sulfide baths and bathing in hydrogen sulfide springs.
Treatment is carried out in special sanatoriums, helping to reduce the frequency of relapses and achieve long-term remission.
PUVA therapy
PUVA therapy is a physiotherapeutic method of treatment that includes the use of a photoactive drug and radiation of the skin with long-wave UV radiation.
Long experience of use and expert reviews prove the effectiveness of PUVA therapy in the treatment of various dermatological diseases (including psoriasis), especially in the case of persistent flow and the ineffectiveness of other therapeutic methods. According to statistics, a positive effect is achieved in about 80-85% of cases.
Hair care rules
To achieve a better condition of your hair and scalp, you must adhere to the basic rules of care, plus the doctor's recommendations:
- Wash your hair only with the recommended special shampoo.
- Comb your hair with a comb with natural bristles.
- Systematically treat the scalp with disinfectant mixtures.
- Comb your hair very gently, gently, without damaging the scalp.
- Try to dry your hair naturally without using a hair dryer.
- With scalp psoriasis, you need to avoid complex shaping that requires the use of different shaping products.