One of the most common forms of the disease is scalp psoriasis.
The disease itself is not an infectious process, but nevertheless the disease proceeds in an inflammatory way.
The symptoms of psoriasis are very typical of fungal diseases - red or pink shaped patches on the head, which have a different shape.
In addition to the formation of single or multiple rashes, itching, burning and inflammation of the skin appear.
Causes of psoriasis
Why does psoriasis occur in the head and what is it? Doctors still don't know why some people develop scalp psoriasis. Doctors periodically present new theories and refute old ones. The causes of disease development are often associated with a genetic predisposition, and factors causing its onset include:
- Genetic burden - it is proven that, in parents with psoriasis, the probability of having children with this diagnosis is an order of magnitude higher.
- The violation of the formation and maturation of epidermal cells, according to one of the hypotheses, is the main reason for the development of the disease.
- There is also an assumption that the reason is not the epidermis but the body's immunity, which produces the wrong factors that negatively affect the skin.
- Disturbances in the endocrine system, according to some scientists, also contribute to the development of the disease.
Currently, the most likely cause of the development of psoriasis is considered an autoimmune process in a sick person's body.
Does your hair fall out?
Often, patients suffering from a disease are interested in the question - can hair loss be seen in psoriasis? It should be noted that mass baldness does not occur. If such a process occurs, then in negligible amount, as the hair follicles are deep and the disease does not affect them.
Is psoriasis contagious?
This fear is associated with the unusual appearance of psoriasis and its history. In ancient times, psoriasis was wrongly considered to be a form of the terrible disease of leprosy. For the above reasons for the appearance of psoriasis, it is clear that this disease cannot be classified as infectious. So the answer to the question of whether it is possible to be infected with psoriasis is unique - no.
Symptoms
Scalp psoriasis is accompanied by the appearance of a characteristic rash, represented by spots or, more often, plaques that vary from light pink to brownish red. In most cases, elements of the eruption are infiltrated from a minimal palpable elevation above the level of healthy skin to a pronounced infiltration of more than 1 mm.
In the initial stages, only diffuse, without inflammatory manifestations and clear limits, abundant peeling in the form of dandruff is possible. It is very similar to other head dermatoses, which greatly complicates the differential diagnosis and treatment of head psoriasis.
The most typical symptom of psoriasis is the "psoriatic crown" - the transition of the scalp process to smooth skin from the adjacent areas of the forehead, to the areas above and behind the ears, to the posterior surface of the earlobes, the region occiput and the nape of the neck.
Depending on the area and severity of symptoms, there are 3 degrees of damage to the scalp:
- Easy- its main manifestation is the appearance on the head of small unique lesions covered by fine scales;
- Heavy- psoriasis completely affects the scalp, the scales are much larger in size and they are much thicker than with mild disease severity.
Clinical studies show that, in most patients, no factor can be identified that could explain the onset of the disease. Most of the time, a combination of several of these reasons is observed, which gives reasons to classify psoriasis as a polyetiological disease.
The difference between psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis
Differential diagnostic signs of psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis:
- Psoriasis, unlike diabetes mellitus, is characterized by a more pronounced infiltration of elements of the eruption due to acanthosis and hyperproliferation of the epidermis.
- The rash in psoriasis usually extends beyond the scalp, the forehead (so-called "psoriatic crown"), the neck, and the ears.
- The peeling in psoriasis is dry, in diabetes the scales are more oily.
- More pronounced itching is seen with diabetes.
It is also necessary to carefully examine and question the patient for nail and joint damage, the presence of which can support psoriasis and significantly affect later therapy tactics.
Treatment of scalp psoriasis
When scalp psoriasis has been diagnosed, a number of measures are used for treatment, including:
- general therapy;
- local treatment;
- physiotherapy procedures;
- Spa treatment.
In mild cases of scalp psoriasis and absence of progression, in most cases, it is sufficient to prescribe local medications for treatment - shampoos, gels, ointments, tar, etc. At the same time, therapy of a constantly progressive inflammatory process may require the use of a broader arsenal of pharmacological drugs from various groups and physiotherapeutic techniques.
How to treat psoriasis with medication?
In the general therapy complex, physicians can include the following medications:
- Vitamin complexes and vitamins C, A and group B;
- Non-specific immunotherapy drugs: ATP, Aloe;
- Aromatic retinoids;
- Cytostatics;
- Hemoidity Solution;
- Enterosorbents;
- Monoclonal antibodies;
- Immunodulators;
- Antihistamines;
- NVPS;
- Sedatives;
- Calcified autologous blood.
The inclusion of corticosteroids and cytostatic drugs in the course of treatment is advisable in severe psoriasis and significant severity of scalp symptoms. They must be used with great care: such resources can aggravate the course of the illness.
Scalp psoriasis shampoo
Is it possible to cure scalp psoriasis with shampoos? As a rule, using even a very effective shampoo is not enough. However, the use of special healing agents in complex therapy is a prerequisite for successful treatment.
All medicinal shampoos help to reduce the inflammatory process, relieve or reduce itching, but the use of just one shampoo is not effective - treatment must be comprehensive.
ointments
Local treatment always helps to increase the medicine's effectiveness. In the progressive stage of psoriasis, 2% salidol and borosalidol ointments will be helpful. If there is an exudative component and severe inflammation, the appointment of corticosteroid creams and ointments will be necessary.
Non-hormonal ointments contain birch, pine, juniper and coal tar. They can be produced as ointments and as a paste.
Diet for head psoriasis
Nutrition must be uniform. Food portions should be small, based on "best less but more often". The last meal must be no later than 19: 00 hours, in the evening a glass of kefir or yogurt is allowed.
- It is necessary to completely give up alcoholic beverages. Its use during the remission period can trigger an exacerbation.
- Fatty, spicy and smoked foods should be excluded from the diet.
- Sweets are not recommended either - cakes, candies, chocolate, sugar - they should all be banned for psoriasis. Only small amounts of honey are allowed.
Of beverages, tea with sea buckthorn, wild rose or black currant leaves can be useful.
spa treatment
During your stay in hospitals, you must comply with the following procedures:
- heliotherapy;
- mud therapy;
- hydrogen sulfide baths and baths in hydrogen sulfide springs.
The course of treatment is carried out in special sanatoriums, they help 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 irradiation of the skin with long-wave ultraviolet radiation.
A long experience of use and expert evaluations prove the efficacy of PUVA therapy in the treatment of various dermatological diseases (including psoriasis), especially in the case of a persistent course and with the ineffectiveness of other therapeutic methods. According to statistics, a positive effect is achieved in about 80-85% of cases.
Hair Care Rules
To get your hair and scalp in better condition, you need to follow the basic rules of care, in addition to a doctor's recommendations:
- Wash your hair only with the recommended special shampoo.
- Comb your hair with a natural bristle comb.
- Systematically treat the scalp with disinfectant mixtures.
- Comb your hair very gently, without hurting the scalp.
- Try to dry your hair naturally, without using a hair dryer.
- With head psoriasis, you need to avoid complex styling that requires the use of multiple styling products.