The very first manifestations of psoriasis often appear on the head, and then spread throughout the body. Psoriasis on the head occurs with itching and the risk of bacterial complications. If you suspect the psoriatic nature of the rashes, you should immediately consult a doctor - the disease responds well to treatment at the very beginning. The article contains all the information about the symptoms and all known treatments for this form of the disease.
Causes of psoriasis on the head
It is a chronic, non-contagious dermatological process that develops in individuals with a hereditary predisposition. The causes of psoriasis on the head and the mechanism of its development are not fully understood. But it has been established that the process develops against the background of metabolic and immune disorders. The body loses control of the division of epithelial cells in the skin: they begin to divide much faster. Just as quickly, signs of keratinization appear, manifesting in the form of peeling. At the same time, inflammatory processes develop in the skin.
Main cause of scalp psoriasisis a hereditary predisposition. Scientists are trying to identify the genes responsible for transmitting the disease from generation to generation. Distinct altered zones have already been established, linked to different genes, found in patients and their relatives.
But a person who has a genetic predisposition does not necessarily fall ill. External and internal predisposing factors are equally important. Scalp psoriasis begins in genetically predisposed individuals due to exposure to the following factors:
- mechanical irritation of the skin (with a hard-toothed hairbrush; injury to small wounds and scabs that appear with seborrhea, etc. );
- exposure to cold;
- transferred infectious diseases; often after streptococcal impetigo - purulent rashes mainly on the skin of the face; develops in children and becomes an impetus for the development of an autoimmune process;
- chronic stress and high loads;
- frequent smoking, alcohol abuse;
- eating disorders - irregular malnutrition dry food, excessive consumption of high-calorie foods and hot spices;
- with hormonal disorders that affect the state of the sebaceous glands of the skin - obesity, imbalance of sex hormones, diabetes mellitus, diseases of the thyroid gland, pituitary gland, hypothalamus;
- in diseases of the liver and kidneys with impaired function of these organs; toxins are neutralized in the liver and are excreted from the body through the kidneys; intoxication can become a starting point in the development of the disease.
Under the influence of one or more factors, the interaction of the organism with the environment is disturbed. The metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates is disturbed, which causes the acceleration of metabolic processes in the skin and its peeling.
Psoriasis of any localization can spread throughout the body, so do not delay treatment.
Changes in the immune system are manifested in the form of increased sensitivity of the skin to any external influence (in addition to frequent combing or coloring of hair). In response to such influences, antibodies are produced against their own cells, causing the onset of an autoimmune inflammatory process. The reasons why inflammation begins are not yet fully understood. This is one of the priorities of medicine in the direction of the treatment of psoriasis.
Symptoms of scalp psoriasis
Psoriasis on the head manifests itself in the form of characteristic symptoms. The disease can begin acutely with multiple rashes (vulgar form of psoriasis) or gradually with itching and peeling of the skin, and only then characteristic rashes appear (seborrheic form).
The most common onset is gradual, in the form of dandruff and scaling. In the early stages, these are small areas in the occipital region. The peeling spreads to larger areas and the itching begins. Constant scratching of the skin contributes to its coarsening and the appearance of abrasions. What does scalp psoriasis look like? The first symptoms of psoriasis on the head in the photo look like this:
In the area of scratches and abrasions, redness first appears, then small inflammatory nodules and papules, surrounded by a shiny rim rising above the surface of the skin. Accompanied by severe itching, the rashes grow in size and merge. The characteristics of rashes are:
- white "chips" covering the papules; when scraped, it looks like a grain of stearin; in the seborrheic form, the scales are yellowish in color and the phenomenon of the stearin stain is less pronounced;
- if you scrape off all the "chips", a smooth, translucent surface opens;
- further scratching leads to the appearance of blood droplets on the surface - "blood dew".
In the photo, three signs look like this:
These three characteristic manifestations distinguish scalp psoriasis from seborrheic dermatitis with which it is easily confused. In the future, the papules merge and form psoriatic plaques, which have a different configuration and sometimes spread over the entire surface of the head.
The course of scalp psoriasis can be mild with the appearance of single rashes in the initial stage. These rashes then go through the three stages of development. In severe form, rashes occupy the entire significant area and spread to the face and neck in the form of a crown - an inflammatory rim covered with silvery scales. The hair roots do not suffer, but a bacterial, fungal or mixed infection often joins the psoriatic process, which leads to complications that are difficult to cure. This is what the crown looks like:
Stages of psoriasis on the head
The disease lasts a long time, exacerbations are replaced by remissions. The frequency of exacerbations and the severity of symptoms depend on the presence of provoking factors.
Progressive stage
The rash and inflammation spread, accompanied by intense itching. At the initial stage, there is a symptom of Koebner - the appearance of psoriatic rashes on the site of scratches and abrasions.
Stationary
The process is in the same state, does not spread, but also does not fade.
Regressive
The process gradually subsides, the itching disappears, the rash turns pale, the inflammatory infiltrate decreases, gradually taking on the appearance of a spot; the color of the rashes becomes pale, starting from the center, forming ring-shaped figures with a brighter border. Sometimes they begin to fade from the periphery to the center and then take the form of whitish rings (a symptom of psoriasis on the head is Voronov's pseudoatrophy). The healing phase can be quite long and little by little only depigmented white spots remain on the skin.
Methods of treating psoriasis on the head
Scalp psoriasis requires systematic treatment under the supervision of a doctor. A mobile lifestyle, giving up smoking and alcohol, following a diet is of decisive importance. It is necessary to treat the disease in a complex way, to apply techniques taking into account the characteristics of the patient's body. Complex therapy can include modern European methods, drug treatment, as well as centuries-old Eastern methods. Such treatment can immediately significantly improve the patient's condition and lead to the development of a stable remission within a few weeks.
PRP - therapy - the method is based on the ability of platelets (red platelets) to secrete a growth factor that stimulates the regenerative abilities of cells. By centrifugation, the patient's blood is enriched in platelets and then injected punctually into the scalp. The technique can significantly accelerate the onset of remission and prevent the development of relapses.
Autohemotherapy - the treatment is carried out by intramuscular injection of a small amount of blood taken from the patient's vein. It has a general stimulating effect, restores the epithelium of the head. After treatment, a stable remission is observed.
Reflexology is the impact in various ways on particular points of the body, reflexively associated with organs and tissues. One of the oldest and most effective traditional methods of treatment. The impact on the points can be carried out by acupuncture (acupuncture), cauterization, massage, etc. The treatment of psoriasis on the head with these methods has been practiced in oriental medicine for thousands of years. Treatments are performed by a reflexologist.
Vacuum therapy - the effect of rarefied air on biologically active points - is one of the methods of reflexology. It can be carried out using canisters or special equipment. Promotes rapid recovery of damaged tissues. Through the use of vacuum therapy, the affected areas are significantly reduced.
Phytotherapy - dermatologists widely use medicinal plants in their practice in the form of infusions, decoctions and ready-to-use pharmaceutical forms. When used correctly as part of a complex treatment, they are very effective both in the initial stages of the disease and in its long-term forms. If you add herbal medicine, the effectiveness of other treatment methods increases, the risk of developing adverse drug reactions decreases.
Treatment of psoriasis on the head in the clinic
In a specialized clinic, this disease is treated by dermatologists trained and clinically experienced in the treatment of this disease with all currently known methods. In their work, they use new Western methods of medical treatment in combination with traditional Eastern methods that have been used successfully by doctors in ancient China and Tibet for thousands of years.
To avoid relapses, it is necessary to eliminate the cause of the disease
Professional clinics use a variety of methods with an individual approach to each patient. Several complexes of folk methods in combination with drug therapy can definitely save the patient from problems with the skin of the scalp.
The effectiveness of treatment in the clinic is noted in their comments and reviews not only by patients who regularly receive supportive treatment, but also by colleagues from other Moscow clinics.
Prevention of psoriasis on the head
Prevention of psoriasis on the head is especially necessary for people with a hereditary predisposition who have sick relatives. This includes eliminating the impact of the following factors:
- any prolonged exposure to the skin;
- malnutrition and sedentary lifestyle;
- prolonged stress and heavy loads;
- smoking and alcohol abuse;
- hormonal disorders - if such disorders are suspected, you should immediately contact an endocrinologist;
- intoxication - in time to treat any chronic diseases that contribute to impaired metabolism and immunity.
A dermatologist can tell you how to cure psoriasis on the head after an examination. Therefore, you should not delay in consulting a specialist, since the early stages of the disease are much easier to treat. Can we cure this process? It is completely impossible to cure the disease, but if a person is treated regularly, there is a great opportunity to get rid of relapses for a long time.
Diet for psoriasis of the head?
There is no special diet, but the treatment for scalp psoriasis is to eat 4 meals a day containing all the ingredients needed by the body in the diet. Foods that irritate the skin should not be present on the table:
- spicy, salty, sour;
- fruits rich in essential oils (garlic and fresh onions, radishes);
- fried, smoked, canned foods;
- caffeinated drinks - strong tea, coffee, coca-cola, etc. ;
- alcoholic beverages - they contribute to the development of relapses of the disease.
It has been established that meat foods cause an exacerbation, so the diet should contain more foods containing complex carbohydrates, lean meat, cottage cheese, yogurt, etc.
Drug treatment for scalp psoriasis?
Medicines are selected depending on the patient's condition and the presence of certain symptoms of the disease. At the initial stage of psoriasis on the head, the following external agents are used:
- when wet, solutions and creams are prescribed to eliminate these symptoms and prevent bacterial and fungal infections;
- if the skin is dry, it is treated with ointments; salicylic acid ointment - has a softening effect; ointments with tar have the same effect; zinc ointments and an analogue of vitamin D3 + glucocorticoid betamethasone help a lot - they help to quickly eliminate the symptoms of psoriasis;
- ointments and creams containing corticosteroid hormones are prescribed in the treatment of common forms of psoriasis on the head;
- shampoos are widely used; so, tar shampoos relieve inflammation, soften crusts; zinc shampoo has an antiseptic and softening effect, relieves inflammation; shampoos have been used for a long time.
Folk remedies for psoriasis on the head?
Is it possible to treat scalp psoriasis with folk remedies? Most specialists use folk remedies for the symptomatic treatment (elimination of certain symptoms) of this disease. But you should be clear that:
- it is necessary to treat the disease with folk remedies on the recommendation of a dermatologist;
- it is impossible to cure the disease with folk remedies alone; dermatologists prescribe complex therapy in combination with traditional medicine.