Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that causes irritation, inflammation and crusting due to dead skin cells; other symptoms are red or grayish spots, itchiness and pitted nails. In addition to taking note of these visible symptoms, you can consult a dermatologist to have a certain diagnosis of the ailment that afflicts you; Your doctor may perform a biopsy to examine the skin cells and ask you for more information about your family history to come to correct conclusions.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Check the Symptoms
Step 1. Look for reddish spots on the scalp
These areas can vary in size and severity; they may be clearly visible and inflamed or have a light color, not be raised or just a little. They often extend beyond the edge of the hairline and are therefore quite easy to spot, even if they are not very inflamed.
Psoriasis is not always limited to the scalp; pay attention if other similar reddish spots develop in different areas of the body
Step 2. Look for dry, flaky skin
If you have scalp psoriasis, you may notice dandruff-like flakes of skin; the latter is caused by the dry epidermis of the head and is different from the fragments of skin that peel off due to psoriasis. In both situations you can still see dry, white scales on the pillow when you wake up in the morning or on the shoulders of your shirt when you run your hands through your hair (especially if the garment is black or dark).
- To reduce the visibility of scraps of skin on clothing (and the embarrassment that comes with it), you should wear light-colored clothing.
- Brush and comb your hair gently and frequently to reduce the amount of skin flakes you lose.
Step 3. Pay attention to the scaly, silvery-looking skin
In addition to the reddish patches, you may also notice white or greyish areas, which are often described as "silver patina"; these areas are smaller, rougher, thicker and scaly than the other reddish spots, they can be sensitive and even bleed if they are scratched or poked.
Step 4. Notice signs of irritation or itching
If the skin is rough, irritated and scaly, it could be psoriasis; however, even if you are very tempted to scratch or rub it, try to resist, otherwise it will only aggravate the pain and discomfort associated with the disease.
Step 5. Check your nails
In patients with psoriasis of any type, the fingernails and toenails begin to stain and form cavities; they become yellowish or brown or become covered with white lines, parallel to the length of the nails themselves. They can also become thick or rough and detach from the nail bed.
Step 6. Watch out for hair loss
Psoriasis does not directly cause this disorder, but the thickening of the skin caused by the disease can prevent normal hair growth. If, in addition to the other symptoms, you notice that your hair is getting thinner, you probably have psoriasis.
Method 2 of 4: Get a Medical Diagnosis
Step 1. See a dermatologist
He is a skin disease specialist and can confirm whether you actually suffer from this ailment. If you experience psoriasis symptoms, contact one in your area; make sure he is registered in the register of medical professionals. You can also do an online search on this site:
Eczema, superficial yeast infections, and vitiligo can be confused with psoriasis
Step 2. Get a biopsy
In the rare cases where the dermatologist is unable to determine if it is scalp psoriasis, he can perform this procedure, which consists of taking a sample of skin cells and examining them under a microscope for more details.
Local anesthesia is needed to numb the area; once skin sensitivity is lost, doctors scrape off a thin layer of skin for careful examination
Step 3. Provide information about family history
About 1/3 of people affected by this disorder have family members who suffer from the same disease; By making your doctor aware of the presence of other family members who have psoriasis, you allow him to make an accurate diagnosis.
Ask your close relatives if they have suffered from this skin inflammation in the past so that you can get the information you need
Method 3 of 4: Treating Psoriasis with Lifestyle Changes
Step 1. Take a shower every day
Keeping the skin clean can reduce the severity of the disease; But be careful not to scrub too hard when washing your head. Use a neutral shampoo with no additives, dyes, or other chemicals; your doctor can recommend one that suits your specific situation.
Step 2. Take care of your nails
If the psoriasis of the scalp is accompanied by spots or deterioration of the nails, you must be especially careful in their care; cut them often and, if skin films (pee) form, carefully remove them. Wear gloves when appropriate to protect your hands and reduce embarrassment; when using cleaning products, wear disposable gloves. Apply a moisturizer to your nails and cuticles and do not tear or scratch them.
Step 3. Pay attention to what you eat
Some people find that they can control the disease by changing their diet. Gluten (a protein found in wheat, barley and rye) can aggravate the problem; you can ask your doctor to get tested for gluten tolerance or even eliminate the consumption of foods that contain it.
There is a wide and growing offer of gluten-free products on the market; ask your local supermarket or store if they are available
Method 4 of 4: Medical Solutions
Step 1. Try topical treatments
These products, especially those based on corticosteroids, are the most common for the treatment of psoriasis; they have an anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive action and are applied to the skin without difficulty, as they are sold in the form of a gel or lotion. The dermatologist is able to prescribe the most suitable medicine for the situation and provide instructions for use based on the severity of the disease.
- Other topical products with anti-inflammatory action include tazarotene, tacrolimus and pimecrolimus.
- There are other topical treatments that involve the use of moisturizing and emollient shampoos (a kind of moisturizing products in the form of creams and foams).
- Be careful to spread them on the scalp and not on the hair; you must carefully divide the strands (or ask a friend to help you) to allow the active ingredients to reach the epidermis.
Step 2. Give phototherapy a try
Some patients manage their disease by being exposed to ultraviolet light in a controlled manner. This type of treatment (called "heliotherapy" when it involves the use of natural light or "phototherapy" when using lamps) exploits the healing properties of ultraviolet to rejuvenate damaged skin. You can spend 20-30 minutes in direct sunlight or go to a clinic that has a phototherapy unit.
- The dermatologist can indicate the duration and intensity of the sessions.
- Before undergoing therapy by exposing yourself to sunlight, protect your scalp and all exposed skin with a cream that has a minimum SPF of 30.
- Hair protects the epidermis of the head from UV light, which is necessary to manage the disease; you or your doctor need to separate the strands or shave the hair to allow the rays to reach the scalp.
Step 3. Try laser treatments
The excimer one uses a concentrated beam of UV rays to treat psoriasis spots; it is able to reduce inflammation, slow down the development of skin cells and minimize the number of lesions present on the scalp. The main advantage is that the procedure is quick and painless, the sessions almost always lasting less than half an hour.
- You will likely need to undergo 2-3 treatments per week.
- You should notice a regression of symptoms after about 6 weeks.
- Evaluate the most suitable laser treatment together with the dermatologist.
Step 4. Try the medications
For this pathology those for oral or injectable use are often prescribed; methotrexate, adalimumab, etanercept, acitretin and other anti-inflammatory active ingredients are among the most recommended. The dermatologist can provide you with instructions for use and precise dosages.
- Injectable medicines are best suited for mild cases and for psoriasis that is spread to only a few areas of the body.
- Severe and moderate cases respond better to medications by mouth.
- Always take medicines as prescribed.
Advice
- If the disease is limited to the scalp, you can purchase a wig to limit the accompanying discomfort or embarrassment.
- Psoriasis is incurable; treatments can only control symptoms.
- That of the scalp has an incidence of about 2% in the general population, but this value reaches 50% among patients who already suffer from psoriasis.
