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Psoriasis Free for Life Psoriasis Essentials
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. Related Video LinksScalp Psoriasis, Scalp Psoriasis Pictures, Scalp Psoriasis Hair Loss, Seborrheic Dermatitis, Scalp Problems, Scalp Conditions, Scalp Psoriasis Symptoms, Scalp Psoriasis Emedicine, Scalp Psoriasis Contagious |
. Article ContentTreatment: Scalp Psoriasis
Yes, scalp psoriasis can be controlled. There are many treatments for scalp psoriasis. Some people get relief from a medicated shampoo or solution that can be purchased without a prescription. But scalp psoriasis can be stubborn. Many people see a dermatologist for treatment.
Diagnosis: The First Step in Successfully Treating Scalp Psoriasis
Before prescribing treatment for scalp psoriasis, a dermatologist will examine your scalp. Usually a dermatologist will simply look at the scalp and make the diagnosis.
Sometimes scalp psoriasis can look like another skin condition, and a dermatologist will remove a bit of skin and send the skin to a lab. The lab report will tell the dermatologist whether the condition is scalp psoriasis. Your dermatologist may refer to this process as a biopsy. A dermatologist can safely and quickly perform a biopsy in the office.
Scalp Psoriasis Treatments
The treatments that dermatologists prescribe for their patients who have scalp psoriasis can be divided into these categories:
Light treatments. When scalp psoriasis does not clear with treatment that is applied to the scalp, light treatments may be an option. Your dermatologist may call this type of treatment 'phototherapy.'
Until recently, light treatments were not useful for scalp psoriasis unless the person was bald or had very thin hair. Thanks to recent advances, even people with thick hair can have light treatments on their scalp. Some patients are treated with a UV comb. Others receive laser therapy.
Injections. Some patients receive injections of corticosteroids. Your dermatologist may call this treatment an 'intralesional corticosteroid' because the corticosteroid is injected into the psoriasis.
Biologics and other medicines that work throughout the body. Scalp psoriasis can be stubborn. Sometimes it does not respond to topical (applied to the scalp) medicine or light treatments. When a patient needs aggressive treatment, a dermatologist may prescribe a medication that works on the immune system. Some of these medications come in pill form. Others require self-injections. Sometimes the medicine is given by infusion, which requires the patient to go to a hospital or psoriasis treatment center.
Medication applied to the scalp. This is the most commonly prescribed treatment for scalp psoriasis. Your dermatologist may call it a 'topical.' These medications include:
Corticosteroid (may be called a steroid)
Calcipotriol/calcipotriene
Tazarotene
A corticosteroid that can be applied to the scalp is the mainstay treatment for scalp psoriasis.
Studies show that a corticosteroid is more effective than any other treatment that you can apply to the scalp. It is prescribed for a short period of time and works quickly to clear the scalp.
Topical corticosteroids are safe when used as directed. Because side effects can occur with long-term use, other medications may be used to keep the scalp clear. These medications include calcipotriol/calcipotriene and tazarotene.
Treatment Tip: When applying the medication, be sure to lift your hair away from the scalp so that you can apply the medication directly to your scalp.
Medicated shampoos. A shampoo may be part of your treatment plan. For people who have moderate to severe psoriasis on their scalp, a dermatologist may prescribe a psoriasis shampoo that contains clobetasol propionate. While clobetasol propionate is a strong corticosteroid, studies show that when used in a shampoo, it can provide safe and effective treatment for scalp psoriasis.
In studies, patients have been able to use a psoriasis shampoo containing clobetasol propionate daily for as long as 4 weeks. If the scalp responds, the shampoo can be used once or twice a week to maintain the results.
Treatment Tip: When shampooing, be gentle. Rubbing, scrubbing, and scratching your scalp tends to make scalp psoriasis worse.
Scale softeners. Psoriasis can be thick, which makes it difficult for topical (applied to the scalp) treatment to work. Applying a scale softener to the psoriasis can help. A product that contains salicylic acid can soften the thick, stubborn patches of psoriasis. Studies show that topical corticosteroids can produce better results when a patient also uses salicylic acid.
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