What is psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. It affects the superficial layers of the epidermis and the mucous membranes (genital region). On the body, it can appear as small lesions in the form of reddish spots.
These lesions are usually the size of a coin. We then talk about gout psoriasis. However, the most common form is plaque psoriasis (80% of cases). As its name suggests, it forms more or less large plaques.
Scalp psoriasis affects the scalp, skull. It can also be located at the edge of the front.
Hair psoriasis: gout or plaque psoriasis?
In the case of hair psoriasis, or scalp psoriasis, the form of the disease is plaque psoriasis. It affects the epidermis and therefore the scalp. It appears in the form of red patches. But it can also cause, more or less directly, a hair loss. It can lead toalopecia.
In the French population, there are officially between 2 and 5% of people suffering from psoriasis. 50% of them develop scalp psoriasis. Its occurrence is therefore frequent.
What causes scalp psoriasis?
Hair psoriasis has the same causes as all forms of psoriasis. A particular configuration of a certain cluster of genes leads to being able to potentially develop the disease. The immune system is more sensitive.
The factors generating a psoriasis flare-up are most often linked to stress or emotional shock. The psychological dimension of psoriasis is therefore important. However, psoriasis is a autoimmune disease. It is also frequently activated by a repeated rubbing. Aggression of the skin by chemicals can also be a risk factor.
Clearly, any source of irritation can cause an attack of psoriasis. The skin interprets friction as aggression. She defends herself. The cells of the epidermis are then in overproduction. The rate of cell renewal becomes 4 to 5 times faster than normal. Skin cells renew themselves in 4-5 days instead of the usual 28 days.
Psoriasis affects men and women equally. The disease does not no gender distinction.
Scalp psoriasis: symptoms on the hair and skin.
We often talk about hair psoriasis. It actually also affects the hair. This form of psoriasis is localized on the scalp. It is most often located at the base of the neck. He can reach the top
of the skull. Moreover, it can also affect the entire scalp. Psoriasis can form a huge plaque. We then speak of scalp psoriasis. strict. The plaques form a helmet over the entire scalp.
How do you know if you have psoriasis in your hair?
Psoriasis manifests itself by an overproduction of epidermal cells. The cells pile up. They then come to form gray or whitish crusts, called the dander. These symptoms help establish a diagnosis of psoriasis.
The scalp is irritated. Personalized plates appear. The itching are frequent, even almost permanent. As a result of scratching the itching, the scales crumble. They get stuck in the hair. Then they fall on the shoulders. As a result, psoriasis can feel like dandruff. The very visible nature of these “dandruff” leads to affect quality of life. Often, the affected patient is reluctant to wear dark clothing.
Psoriasis manifests itself in flare-ups. A bout of itching usually signals a flare-up. The phenomenon can lead to the suspicion of psoriasis. However, many other dermatological conditions can be responsible for a breakout or irritation of the scalp. Better to consult a dermatologist.
Dandruff or psoriasis?
In itself, in cases of psoriasis, the scales come off and indeed form white or even yellowish dandruff. But psoriasis is not the only skin condition possibly responsible for dandruff. Science is still struggling to elucidate the origin of certain dandruff not linked to psoriasis. Their appearance is always the same, but the causes may be different. In all cases, this dandruff causes discomfort, linked to the way others look at it.
Dry dandruff
In case of dry dandruff, we speak of pityriasis simplex or pityriasis sicca.
Oily dandruff, symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis
On the other hand, some dandruff is oilier. In this case, the scalp is pink or even red. This symptom signals the presence of inflammation of the scalp. It must then be linked to dermatitis or seborrheic dermatitis. In this specific case, it is often noted that other areas of the body are also affected by this dermatological problem.
Psoriasis produces oily dandruff, since the scalp is irritated.
How to treat scalp psoriasis?
The treatment of hair psoriasis must be adapted to each case.
Acting on the causes of hair psoriasis, concrete solutions
First of all, some good news. There are simple solutions to limit or even eliminate the causes of the appearance of psoriasis. It is important to observe his behavior. Be vigilant to all sources of aggression to the scalp. Thus, eliminating these aggravating factors will help limit flare-ups.
- Brush or comb your hair gently, using suitable utensils. Be careful of comb teeth that are too sharp. Also pay attention to brushes with too hard bristles.
- Avoid all gestures and knocks that attack the skin of the head. For example: constantly replacing your hair. Or even scratch; rubbing your head.
- Finally, it is better to use your hair dryer on low heat. Do not bring it too close to the skin.
- Eliminate any kind of hairstyle like ponytails. They can pull the scalp (and hair) too much.
- Avoid scratching your scalp with your nails. Instead, use the fingertips. For the night, put cotton gloves natural. They help prevent damage from unconscious scratching.
- Wash your hair frequently or even daily. This healthy lifestyle also helps maintain a healthy, sensitive scalp. Dry the hair by patting it dry with method. Press the towel onto the scalp, rather than rubbing.
Compliance with these instructions is sometimes enough to drastically limit psoriasis flare-ups.
Medications to treat scalp psoriasis
Currently, doctors and dermatologists often prescribe corticosteroids for fight against psoriasis. For the scalp, they generally come in liquid form. This makes application easier. On the other hand, this type of medication, over time, frequently creates a habituation effect.
Thus, effectiveness is reduced over time. Furthermore, it is advisable to always stop treatment gradually. This makes it possible to avoid a rebound effect of the disease. The latter can thus cause a new outbreak of psoriasis. As a result, it would destroy the beneficial effects of the treatment.
How to treat scalp psoriasis naturally? Shampoos against psoriasis
Choosing your shampoo with care is essential in the fight against psoriasis. Shampoos can, in some cases, be just as useful and effective as medication.
Gentle daily shampoos
Certain chemicals can cause scalp irritation reactions. In addition, the health of the hair may be affected. This is why we recommend choosing a hydrating shampoo for the scalp. It will soothe the epidermis. Ask your hairdresser for advice for example or to your doctor during an appointment.
Always massage your scalp with your fingertips. This way we avoid attacking him. Never use your nails...
For daily hygiene, read our article on shower gels and soaps for psoriasis.
Treatment shampoos for psoriasis
Certain shampoos help relieve psoriasis and some of its specific symptoms. They are most often found in pharmacies or on the Internet. They are available without prescription. Some for example will apply to soothe itching. Others will focus on nourishing the scalp. Thus, they help to calm the fire of irritation. Few shampoos combine both functions. Among them, some sometimes require a significant exposure time. Their use is therefore laborious. Their formulation is often chemical, even very chemical.
The best choice for a scalp and hair shampoo
Pso Natura Dermatological Shampoo is a complete shampoo. It treats both itching AND scalp irritation. In addition, it helps to remove scales and dandruff. This is why it is the most recommended. It is initially used as a two-week treatment. It helps to restore a cleansed scalp. Furthermore, this shampoo is very gentle on the hair.
It can be used regularly as a preventative measure. It thus minimizes the risk of recurrence. In addition, in the case of the appearance of itching, the first signs of an outbreak, use the shampoo for 2-3 days.
Clinical efficacy studies carried out on 21 people over 3 weeks showed 100% effectiveness on itching. 79% of subjects confirm the cleansing of the skin and the cleansing effect of the shampoo. This treatment is natural (99%). He is ultra-focused. It is formulated without water. As a result, it is also very economical.
Vitamins for hair health
Vitamin D3 in the form of a food supplement is an effective solution for fight against psoriasis. It is also possible to use it in local application. It acts on the multiplication and maturation of keratinocytes. These are the epithelial cells that make the skin waterproof.
Grandmother's remedies for scalp psoriasis
There are also a number of natural treatments and remedies. They help soothe or restore a healthy scalp. This is generally supportive care. Outcome expectations must be measured. Unless you use them in addition to another existing treatment.
En conclusion, although it is still impossible to cure psoriasis today. Indeed, intervention at the DNA level is not possible. However, it is possible to act against hair psoriasis. On the one hand, by acting on the causes and taking care of your scalp. On the other hand, by acting as naturally as possible on the symptoms of psoriasis, through the use of gentle shampoo and an effective and complete cure treatment.
Diagnosing hair psoriasis or scalp psoriasis
To ensure an accurate diagnosis, it is best to make an appointment with your general practitioner, or even at a dermatologist. Depending on the type of skin condition, remedies or prescribed medications may vary.
Scalp irritation, possible causes
As mentioned above, psoriasis can be triggered by psychological reasons of stress, whether consciously felt or not. But a number of causes are linked to irritation of a sensitive scalp. This is why it is appropriate to carry out certain checks which can lead to eliminating the causes of a flare-up.
Irritation caused by pulling hair, ponytails
A hairstyle can cause damage to the scalp, for example when the hair is pulled too much. Making a ponytail or a bun can cause an attack on the scalp which turns into a skin reaction.
A scalp attacked by hard-bristled brushes or the effect of combs
Handling brushes with hard bristles or combs with aggressive teeth can lead to an inflamed effect on the scalp. It is advisable to act gently in the event of scalp fragility.
Drying hair, tips for psoriasis
Two mistakes can lead to a psoriasis attack, or even accentuate a flare-up. On the one hand, too vigorous drying with a towel, an obvious source of repeated friction on the scalp. It is recommended totowel dry hair by delicately absorbing excess water after shampooing, using a prolonged application of a towel, without rubbing.
On the other hand, the use of a hairdryer should not be banned, however it is better to respect a few simple rules. First, hold the hair dryer about twenty centimeters from the scalp. Then, adjust it to a reasonable heat intensity to avoid attacking the epidermis.
Air drying your hair can look very natural. However, it is a source of hair dehydration. The hair scales remain open longer and therefore dry out.
Are scalp psoriasis and facial psoriasis linked?
Scalp psoriasis is most often localized:
– at the top of the neck
– at the edge of the forehead and hair
– behind the ears.
It is therefore common to equate psoriasis of the hair with psoriasis of the face. In addition, in cases of psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis, it is common for the wings of the nose to also be affected. However, it would be wrong to systematically equate psoriasis of the scalp with psoriasis of the face. The correlation is far from systematic.
Is psoriasis contagious?
Psoriasis often provokes a reaction of disgust or even repulsion in some people. Indeed, this spontaneous rejection often comes from the false belief that psoriasis is contagious. It is in no way contagious. It is not caused by any virus. On the contrary, as we saw above, it is linked to a genetic predisposition and to stress in particular. There is therefore logically no risk of contagion. The association France Psoriasis also puts a lot of energy into combating this cliché.
Hair psoriasis and hand psoriasis, a connection?
Strictly speaking, psoriasis cannot contaminate another area of the body by contact. Remember, the triggering factors for psoriasis are stress or psychological shock. Additionally, friction or irritation of the skin following contact with an irritating chemical are possible causes.
Thus, the only connection between the hand and hair psoriasis would be a report of aggression... If the hand scratches the itching linked to psoriasis, then its action will accentuate the irritation on the scalp. It can even cause lesions that will cause the skin to react. Scratching is one of the most harmful actions for scalp psoriasis.
Psoriasis on the fingers
Likewise, psoriasis on the fingers cannot be linked to psoriasis of the scalp. On the other hand, passing your fingers through your hair too regularly can cause an outbreak of psoriasis. Combing your fingers too regularly is therefore a habit to break if you have psoriasis in your hair.
Scalp psoriasis and ear psoriasis, what is the link?
A priori, even if the location is close, scalp psoriasis does not necessarily spread to the ears. The cause is rather to be found in irritation inside the ear. Irritation from a cotton swab for example or even an ocd which would consist of scratching one's ears.
sources:
NCBI Research Center
