One of the most common forms of the disease is psoriasis of the scalp.
The disease itself is not an infectious process, but the disease is still inflammatory.
The symptoms of psoriasis are very characteristic of fungal diseases - red or pink spots on the head, which have a different shape.
In addition to the formation of single or multiple rashes, itching, burning and inflammation appear on the skin.
Causes of psoriasis
Why does psoriasis of the head occur and what is it? Doctors still do not know why some people develop scalp psoriasis. Doctors periodically present new theories and refute the old ones. The reasons for the development of the disease are often related to genetic predisposition, and the factors that cause their occurrence include:
- Genetic burden - it has been proven that parents with psoriasis are much more likely to have children with this diagnosis.
- Impaired formation and maturation of epidermal cells, according to one hypothesis, is the main reason for the development of the disease.
- There is also a suggestion that the cause is not in the epidermis, but in the immunity of the body, which produces the wrong factors that negatively affect the skin.
- Disorders in the endocrine system, according to some scientists, also contribute to the development of the disease.
The most likely cause of psoriasis today is considered to be autoimmune processes in the body of a sick person.
Is your hair falling out?
Often patients suffering from the disease are interested in the question - can hair loss be observed in psoriasis? It should be noted that mass baldness does not occur. If such a process occurs, then in a small amount, because the hair follicles are deep and the disease does not affect them.
Is psoriasis contagious?
This fear is related to the unusual appearance of psoriasis and its history. In ancient times, psoriasis was mistaken for a form of the terrible disease of leprosy. From the above reasons for the appearance of psoriasis it is clear that this disease can not fall into the category of infectious. Therefore, the answer to the question of whether it is possible to get psoriasis is one - no.
Symptoms
Scalp psoriasis is accompanied by the appearance of a characteristic rash on the skin, represented by spots or more often plaques ranging from pale pink to brownish red. In most cases, the elements of the rash infiltrate from a minimal palpable rise above the level of healthy skin to a pronounced infiltration above 1 mm.
In the initial stages it is possible only diffuse, without inflammatory manifestations and clear boundaries, abundant peeling in the form of dandruff. It is very similar to other dermatoses of the head, which significantly complicates the differential diagnosis and treatment of psoriasis of the head.
The most typical symptom of psoriasis is "psoriatic crown" - the transition of the process from the scalp to the smooth skin of adjacent areas of the forehead, to the areas above and behind the ears, to the back of the ears, occiput and back of the neck.
Depending on the area and severity of the symptoms, there are 3 degrees of scalp damage:
- Easy- its main manifestation is the appearance on the head of small single lesions covered with thin small scales;
- Heavy- Psoriasis affects the scalp completely, the size of the scales is much larger and they are much thicker than in mild disease.
Clinical studies show that in most patients no single factor can be identified that could explain the onset of the disease. A combination of several of these causes is most common, leading to psoriasis being classified as a polyetiological disease.
The difference between psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis
Differential diagnostic signs of psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis:
- Psoriasis, in contrast to diabetes mellitus, is characterized by more pronounced infiltration of the elements of the rash due to acanthosis and hyperproliferation of the epidermis.
- Rash in psoriasis often extends beyond the scalp, to the forehead (so-called "psoriatic crown"), to the neck, ears.
- Peeling in psoriasis is dry, in diabetes the scales are more oily.
- More pronounced itching is observed in diabetes.
It is also necessary to carefully examine and question the patient for damage to nails and joints, the presence of which may speak in favor of psoriasis and significantly affect the further tactics of therapy.
Treatment of scalp psoriasis
When scalp psoriasis is diagnosed, a set of treatment measures is used, including:
- general therapy;
- local treatment;
- physiotherapy procedures;
- Spa treatment.
In mild cases of psoriasis of the scalp and lack of progression, in most cases it is enough to prescribe local drugs for treatment - shampoos, gels, ointments, tar and others. At the same time, the treatment of a constantly progressive inflammatory process may require the use of a wider arsenal of pharmacological drugs from different groups and physiotherapeutic techniques.
How to treat psoriasis with drugs?
In the complex of general therapy doctors may include the following drugs:
- Vitamin complexes and vitamins C, A and group B;
- Non-specific immunotherapeutic drugs: ATP, aloe;
- Aromatic retinoids;
- cytostatics;
- Hemodes solution;
- Enterosorbents;
- Monoclonal antibodies;
- Immunodulators;
- Antihistamines;
- NVPS;
- Sedatives;
- Calcified autologous blood.
The inclusion of corticosteroids and cytostatics in the course of treatment is recommended in severe psoriasis and significant severity of scalp symptoms. They should be used very carefully: such means can provoke a worsening of the disease.
Shampoo for psoriasis of the scalp
Is it possible to cure scalp psoriasis with shampoos? As a rule, the use of even a very effective shampoo is not enough. However, the use of special remedies in complex therapy is a prerequisite for the success of treatment.
All medicated shampoos help to reduce the inflammatory process, relieve or reduce itching, but the use of only one shampoo is not effective - treatment should be comprehensive.
Ointments
Topical treatment always helps to increase the effectiveness of the drug. In the progressive stage of psoriasis, 2% salicylic and borosalidol ointments will be useful. If there is an exudative component and severe inflammation, then it will be necessary to appoint creams and ointments with corticosteroids.
Non-hormonal ointments contain birch, pine, juniper and coal tar. They can be produced both as ointments and as a paste.
Diet for psoriasis of the head
The diet should be uniform. Portions of food should be small, based on "better less, but more often". The last meal should be no later than 19-00 hours, at night it is allowed to drink a glass of kefir or sourmilk.
- It is necessary to completely give up alcoholic beverages. Using them in remission can provoke an exacerbation.
- Fatty, spicy and smoked foods should be excluded from the diet.
- Pastries are also not recommended - cakes, pastries, chocolate, sugar - all of them should be banned for psoriasis. Only small amounts of honey are allowed.
Of the drinks will be useful tea with sea buckthorn, rose hips or blackcurrant leaves.
Spa treatment
During your stay in hospitals you must attend the following procedures:
- heliotherapy;
- mud therapy;
- hydrogen sulfide baths and bathing in hydrogen sulfide springs.
The course of treatment is carried out in special sanatoriums, they help reduce the frequency of relapses and achieve long-term remission.
PUVA therapy
PUVA therapy is a physiotherapeutic method of treatment that involves the use of a photoactive drug and irradiation of the skin with long-wave UV radiation.
Quite a long experience of use and reviews of specialists prove the effectiveness of PUVA therapy in the treatment of various dermatological diseases (including psoriasis), especially in the case of persistent course and the ineffectiveness of other therapeutic methods. According to statistics, a positive effect is achieved in about 80-85% of cases.
Hair care rules
To achieve better condition of hair and scalp, you must adhere to the basic rules of care, plus the doctor's recommendations:
- Wash your hair only with the recommended special shampoo.
- Comb your hair with a comb with natural hair.
- Systematically treat the scalp with disinfectant mixtures.
- Comb your hair very gently, gently, without damaging the scalp.
- Try to dry your hair naturally without using a hair dryer.
- With psoriasis of the head, you should avoid the complicated shaping, which requires the use of various styling products.