Psoriasis causes a lot of problems in the form of discomfort and aesthetic problems, and its location on the head adds to the complexity of treatment. The danger of the disease also lies in the addition of fungal infections. How to treat psoriasis and what are its symptoms?
Causes of psoriasis of the head
To date, there is no clear answer to what causes the appearance of psoriasis on the head. Experts have put forward several theories about the onset of the disease:
- Violations of metabolic processes, against the background of which the cell life cycle is reduced from 40 days to 5. As a result, there is a stratification of dead tissue on the plates.
- genetic predisposition. If one of the parents has a disease in the family, the probability of developing psoriasis in a child is 25%, if both parents - 75%.
- Dysfunction of the thyroid gland. Hormonal imbalances are often the cause of a dermatological disease.
- Autoimmune processes, during which the immune system recognizes epidermal cells as foreign bodies.
Cranial psoriasis can also be aggravated by the following factors:
- stressful conditions;
- irrational nutrition;
- living in an area of poor ecology;
- smoking;
- drinking alcohol.
All experts are absolutely sure of one thing - the disease occurs under the influence of several reasons, and their elimination becomes the first step to remission.
Scalp psoriasis
One of the complex forms of the disease is scalp psoriasis. This is due to the fact that due to the hairline the treatment process is difficult, and the symptoms of the disease in the early stages resemble simple dandruff.
Symptoms
Scalp psoriasis is characterized by symptoms similar to those of a localized condition on other parts of the body. The following manifestations of the disease can be distinguished:
- Single rashes or large accumulations of plaques appear on the surface of the skin.
- There is sebum on the surface of the lesions, which causes the rashes to acquire a yellow tint. Dead cells, mixed with fat, begin to form tubercles.
- Scales, similar to dandruff, accumulate on the hair.
- The course of the disease is accompanied by severe itching.
- In children, redness of the epidermis of the head is observed, which then begins to get wet.
Since the lesions are located on the surface of the skin, the disease does not reach the hair follicles, so there is no disruption of hair growth, and their loss remains at a normal level. The photo shows what psoriasis looks like, localized on the scalp.
Consequences
Scalp psoriasis can have unpleasant consequences:
- The disease does not bring so much discomfort as psychological inconvenience. Often the patient may even fall into a deep depression.
- Due to constant itching and scratching, the disease constantly gives the patient a feeling of pain.
- With the erythrodermic form of psoriasis, the hair follicles are affected, which can then lead to baldness.
Therefore, the treatment of psoriasis on the head should take place in time.
Important! Scalp psoriasis can spread to the face, neck and shoulders.
Treatment characteristics
Only a dermatologist, after a detailed examination and laboratory examination, will tell you how to cure scalp psoriasis. The disease itself cannot go away, and to combat it it is necessary to use complex therapy, which involves the use of methods of traditional and alternative medicine. In addition, scalp psoriasis should be treated with physiotherapy. Only in this case can therapy be successful.
Psoriasis shampoos
When treating psoriasis, the scalp needs special care, which does not allow the use of conventional cosmetic shampoos. A hair wash should be selected taking into account the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect.
We can distinguish the main types of shampoos:
- Tar. They contain birch or juniper tar, which well relieves the symptoms of the disease in the form of burning, and also effectively combats excessive peeling.
- Antifungal. Intended for the destruction of pathogenic fungal infections. In addition, the drug soothes the irritated epidermis well.
- Therapeutic. This category of shampoos contains components such as zinc or salicylic acid. The products have active moisturizing properties.
All of these tools should be used as instructed.
lotions
Spray lotions are often used in the treatment of scalp psoriasis. It is the most convenient, because when sprayed, the drug does not leave impurities on the hair, evenly irrigating the entire surface of the skin with a solution. The most popular lotions are:
- A steroid drug, which also includes salicylic acid. The tool disinfects the skin well and effectively and quickly relieves itching. The course of therapy is 3 weeks.
- Spray, which contains only natural herbal extracts. Recommended for prolonged use in remission. The drug well moisturizes the dermis and eliminates itching sensations.
- Non-hormonal solution whose active substance is zinc oxide. The component well stops inflammatory processes and effectively fights fungal infections.
Sprays can also be used on other parts of the body, but after consultation with the attending specialist. It is not necessary to wash off the medicine after application.
Folk remedies
Alternative medicine recipes are very popular in psoriasis therapy. They are completely natural and do not harm the patient. Moreover, these funds will not damage the wallet. The following most effective recipes can be identified:
- Soda bath. Pour a full packet of baking soda into the bath. You should lie in the water with your head thrown back so that the solution covers your head up to the forehead area. It is recommended to cover the ears with earplugs. The procedure takes 30 minutes.
- It is also recommended to periodically wash your hair with tar or sulfur soap. To do this, grate the product on a fine grater and dissolve it in a small amount of water. Use as a regular shampoo.
- salicylic oil. A very effective remedy for pimples. You just need to moisten a cotton ball in the substance and lubricate the separations. It is necessary to process seven separations.
Many patients do not trust folk remedies, but some of them can be more effective than the most expensive pharmaceutical drugs.
Advice! Care must be taken to avoid recipes using essential oils, burning and irritating substances.
Scalp psoriasis
Scalp psoriasis is localized in the following areas:
- behind the ears;
- at the back of the head;
- on the mucous membranes;
- near the brow bones;
- on the cheeks.
Rashes in the facial area are particularly noticeable, as they cannot be hidden by clothing. At the same time, the use of masking cosmetics is strictly prohibited.
Symptoms
The disease manifests as follows:
- First, light spots appear on the face.
- Then small dots appear in the middle, which quickly grow and turn into papules.
- These formations soon begin to become covered with a thick layer of dead cells.
The formation of rashes is accompanied by severe itching. In the photo you can see what psoriasis looks like on the head.
Consequences
A skin condition can have unpleasant consequences:
- When combing papules, scratches and sores are formed, which can become a source of infection.
- The localization of rashes on the eyelids is the cause of the pathology of the eyeball.
- Psoriasis can cause inflammation of the joints and liver.
To prevent the development of concomitant diseases, it is necessary to carry out the treatment in time.
Features of therapy
Since the skin of the face is quite sensitive, the task of the patient is not only to get rid of the disease, but also to maintain its external attractiveness. How to cure psoriasis on the head, a dermatologist will advise.
Ointments
Ointment for psoriasis on the head is the most common remedy in the fight against the disease. There are two types of funds for local use:
- Hormonal ointments. They contain glucocorticosteroids, which quickly relieve the symptoms of the disease, so they are often used during an exacerbation.
- Nonsteroidal ointments. These products contain herbal ingredients and one or two active substances like zinc oxide or ichthyol. They have a milder effect on the body, so you can use them for a long time.
When choosing an ointment, the severity of the course of the disease should be compared with the strength of the remedy.
Folk remedies
The following most effective recipes can be distinguished:
- Fat solidol and birch tar should be mixed equally. Apply the mass to the lesions for 20 minutes. Then rinse and moisturize the skin with cream.
- You can also use sea buckthorn oil by applying it to the patches before going to bed. The tool disinfects and heals wounds well.
It is recommended to take decoctions of medicinal collections inside.
General principles of therapy
The disease requiring a complex effect, there is little local treatment. It is necessary to completely get rid of psoriasis, using all available means.
medical therapy
In the treatment of psoriasis, the following groups of drugs are used:
- antihistamines;
- immunosuppressive agents;
- enterosorbents;
- antibiotics;
- homeopathy.
Usually, several groups of drugs are prescribed at once, depending on the severity of the disease, the clinical picture.
Important! You cannot independently prescribe a drug for yourself, you must first seek the advice of a dermatologist.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is an integral part of the fight against the disease. The following procedures can be distinguished:
- phototherapy;
- laser exposure;
- magnetic therapy;
- ultrasonic impact;
- mud treatment.
Usually, these methods are prescribed during the rest period of the disease, which helps to prolong remission.
Diet
It has been proven that certain products can not only exacerbate the disease, but also worsen the symptoms. It is therefore advisable to follow a diet that limits the use of the following foods:
- canned food;
- fatty food;
- Fast food;
- alcoholic products;
- Coffee;
- red fruits and vegetables;
- confectionery.
Preference should be given to protein foods and foods rich in fiber, steamed or baked in aluminum foil.
Despite the complexity of the course of the disease, psoriasis of the head is not a sentence. It is enough to strictly observe complex therapy, and the disease will not make itself felt for a long time.