A certain percentage of people on earth suffer from psoriasis. First of all, psoriasis appears right in the scalp, which is recommended to be treated when the first symptoms appear. The causes of the disease have not yet been determined, but the symptoms are pronounced. It is advisable to consult a doctor for treatment, to be treated comprehensively and to observe preventive measures.
causes
Psoriasis is a disease whose root causes remain a mystery to humans. Numerous studies are being conducted on this topic, new results appear, new causes and theories that raise even more questions. With psoriasis, the rate of formation of new cells increases, as a result of which too many of them are formed, the skin begins to harden and an inflammatory process begins.
So far, the following fact has been recognized as the cause of the disease: in psoriasis, the process of cell division is disrupted, the rate of formation of keratinocytes increases, which leads to the appearance of the disease.
The increased rate of cell renewal causes an inflammatory process and the inflammatory process, in turn, leads to an even higher rate of cell division, which is a vicious circle. A hereditary predisposition leads to a high division rate.
Sometimes a violation of the immune system, which appears due to stress, after an infectious disease, leads to such a process. For example, among people infected with the immunodeficiency virus, the number of patients with psoriasis is three times higher than in healthy people.
Several hundred years ago it was believed that people with psoriasis were cursed and could pass these diseases on to others.
Other factors leading to the development of psoriasis:
- Genetic diseases are formed when viruses and bacteria enter the body, leading to a change in the structure of chromosomes.
- Skin infections, purulent inflammation.
- Violation of lipid, protein and carbohydrate metabolism.
- Chronic inflammation - sinusitis, otitis media, tonsillitis and others. In many patients with psoriasis, high rates were observed in the analysis of the number of lymphocytes and leukocytes in the blood.
- Too dry or too humid air where the patient is constantly.
- Stress, anxiety, depression.
- Taking antibiotics, an immunomodulator leads to impaired immunity and, consequently, to psoriasis.
- The risk of alcohol and tobacco use increases.
- Lack of vitamins and minerals in the body, unhealthy diet, consumption of foods with allergens, overweight.
- Endocrine diseases.
- Diseases of the internal organs.
If a person has noticed the appearance of symptoms of psoriasis, localized dry skin, roughness, redness, it is necessary to immediately contact a dermatologist for diagnosis.
Psoriasis appears on the head for some reason, of which a special texture of the skin is noted, frequent microtraumas obtained when scratching the skin in this place.
According to statistics, one percent of people in the world suffer from psoriasis, while in eight out of ten patients psoriasis is localized in the head region, in four out of ten it is localized only on the head. In six out of ten people, the disease is not limited to the scalp, but spreads to the elbows, knees, palms and other areas.
If the patient has a predisposition to psoriasis, his symptoms can arise unexpectedly with minimal stress or anxiety. Assign a group of patients at risk. Typically, psoriasis symptoms first appear in patients between the ages of fifteen and twenty five.
Types (modules)
Symptoms can vary depending on the type of psoriasis. The two main forms of the disease are mild and severe.
- The lung is characterized by the formation of small lesions, which are covered with the same small psoriatic plaques.
- In severe forms, psoriasis affects the entire area of the head, the lesions combine, the skin is dry, psoriatic plaques are formed in large plaques, the skin becomes much rougher.
Phases
Scalp psoriasis occurs in several stages.
- The progressive stage is characterized by the development of the disease, the formation of new lesions.
- During the stationary phase, the symptoms of the disease do not change in any way. The new ones don't appear, the old ones don't change.
- With the regressive phase, the symptoms are eliminated. It can last up to two years.
Symptoms can vary seasonally. In winter psoriasis, the cause of the disease may be a lack of ultraviolet radiation, but if the symptoms intensify in the summer, the reason is the opposite - an excess of ultraviolet radiation.
Symptoms
Dermatological disorders affect not only the patient's physical condition, but also his psychological stability. Psoriasis, which is a chronic, that is, incurable disease, is particularly difficult to tolerate. To improve the quality of life, it is necessary to constantly eliminate the symptoms of the disease, which takes a lot of time, effort and sometimes money.
If the psoriasis on the body can be hidden with clothes, then with psoriasis on the scalp, this trick will not work. Usually, patients start getting psoriasis from this area. Sometimes psoriasis does not spread further, especially if its symptoms are consistently treated with good and effective medications, but the disease can spread to other parts of the body.
Scalp psoriasis is also called seborrheic. The disease is characterized by severe peeling of the scalp, which resembles dandruff. In addition, the patient suffers from itching, psoriatic plaque formation in this area.
An important fact for patients with psoriasis is that the hair on the scalp does not fall out either at the beginning of the disease or during its development.
The skin under the psoriatic plaques can bleed when scratching, so patients should not scratch the skin. The affected area may be red due to the inflammatory process.
The disease progresses and regresses periodically. With a relapse, the symptoms of the disease return, in which case the patient should be used drugs to eliminate the symptoms so that the time of remission begins. In remission, the symptoms of psoriasis are not pronounced.
The length of each period depends on many factors. The duration of remission can be up to two years.
To find out what psoriasis in the scalp looks like, let's move on to the symptom photos section.
Treatment
So far, no one has been able to find a cure for psoriasis.
There are many medications available to treat psoriasis symptoms. As a result of the use of medicines and folk remedies, complex therapy, the patient's quality of life improves.
First of all, it is necessary to contact a dermatologist for the diagnosis of the disease. The doctor will conduct all necessary research and analysis to establish an accurate diagnosis.
Folk remedies
For the treatment of scalp psoriasis, folk recipes are used. They are recommended for use as part of complex therapy to enhance the effect of drugs.
It is forbidden to use the recipes of traditional medicine independently. They should be discussed with your healthcare provider and should only be used after approval.
The following remedies are often used to treat scalp psoriasis:
- Celandine is effective in relieving the inflammatory process. The grass is washed and dried, red wine is added to it, and the peel is treated with the resulting product.
- A white wine tincture is made from sunflower baskets. The juice is squeezed out of the sunflower and the skin is treated with this agent.
- Elderberry is also effective in relieving itching, inflammation and redness of the skin. The inflorescences are soaked in water for two hours. The solution is taken orally.
- Honey with egg white and shampoo are mixed, applied to the affected areas, washed off with water.
Medicines
Drugs for the treatment of each patient are selected in the presence of the attending physician, based on the test results, the stage of the disease, the level of immunity. He will tell you how to treat psoriasis in the scalp.
A drug prescribed by a dermatologist, even an experienced one, may not always be suitable for a patient. Many products have no effect at the start of use. It is recommended to take drugs in complex therapy, that is, to combine several forms of drugs.
There are several groups of psoriasis medications and various treatments.
Hormonal agents contain in their composition active components - hormones, which have a very effective effect on the body and quickly relieve symptoms, but it is not recommended to use them for a long time.
Steroids can be systemic, are taken orally in tablet form or are administered intravenously / intramuscularly. Ointments with hormones in the composition are much less effective. But they cannot be used for a long time, because the skin at the site of application of the product can change the pigment, it becomes thin, traumatic, prone to secondary infections.
Also, after the use of hormonal drugs, withdrawal symptoms are often observed. This is when, after prolonged treatment and discontinuation of drug use, the symptoms return, but with even greater symptoms.
Therefore, it is not recommended to use hormonal preparations for a long time, apply to areas with sensitive skin, apply to large areas of the skin, and also cancel the use of the drug, it is necessary to gradually reduce the dosage.
Non-hormonal drugs are also commonly used to treat psoriasis. They are used to relieve symptoms, inflammation, itching, redness of the skin. They have a much smaller list of contraindications and side effects.
The main active ingredients of this group of drugs relieve inflammation, constrict blood vessels, soothe the skin, moisturize and soften it. Of the active components, zinc, tar, salicylic acid and other substances are noted.
They can be used at any stage of the disease. In addition, such drugs have many different forms of release. They also vary in terms of effectiveness and recommendations for use, on the forums you can study reviews about their effect in treating psoriasis of the scalp.
Zinc can be used as often as needed, but tar-based products are not recommended more than twice a week. Also, they should be used in conjunction with moisturizers because the tar dries the skin.
Patients often opt for ointments to treat scalp psoriasis.
Cosmetics are also very popular with patients because they improve the appearance of the scalp, but at the same time have no therapeutic effect.
From cosmetic products, users opt for oils and shampoos that moisturize the skin, eliminate itching and dandruff in the scalp with psoriasis.
For the treatment of psoriasis, drugs are used that suppress the immune system, metabolism, stopping the process of renewal and division of skin cells.
These funds can only be taken under the supervision of a doctor, because they have a large list of contraindications and side effects.
It is also necessary to improve the general condition of the patient by following a special diet that excludes foods with allergens from the patient's diet. It is recommended to take complexes of vitamins and minerals.
Physiotherapy can be prescribed to patients. For example, ultraviolet irradiation is indicated for "winter" psoriasis.
Prophylaxis
For the purpose of prevention, the following recommendations should be observed:
- You need to take care of your skin, wash it more often using a baby soap or other hypoallergenic soap.
- Refuse alcohol and tobacco smoke.
- Don't get into stressful situations. Depression, anxiety can cause a relapse.
- Observe the daily routine.
- Take vitamin and mineral complexes.
- Follow a special diet that excludes allergens from the diet. In addition, the diet is selected individually for the patient and his required amount of proteins, fats and carbohydrates.
Many people wonder if scalp psoriasis is contagious. The answer is no, this disease is not contagious.