Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsScalp Psoriasis PicturesSymptomsCausesComplicationsTreatmentDoes It Go Away?PreventionWhen to Seek Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Scalp Psoriasis Pictures
Symptoms
Causes
Complications
Treatment
Does It Go Away?
Prevention
When to Seek Care
About 3% of American adults (7.5 million people) havepsoriasis.Of them, nearly half have it on their scalp.
This condition is the same as psoriasis anywhere else on the body. However, scalp psoriasis is harder to treat since it’s under the hair.
This article discusses the symptoms, causes, and treatment of scalp psoriasis.
Scalp psoriasis has a distinctive appearance, including white or silver crusty patches and skin discoloration. It may extend beyond the hairline and down onto the forehead, neck, or ears.
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet New Zealand and ©Waikato Hospitalwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Scalp Psoriasis Symptoms and Risks
Sergey Dogadin / Getty Images
Scalp psoriasis may affect only small patches of your scalp or cover the entire thing. Symptoms include:
Psoriasis can also cause non-skin symptoms such as:
Different Skin TonesPsoriasis plaques generally look purplish or brown on dark skin and red or pink on light skin.
Different Skin Tones
Psoriasis plaques generally look purplish or brown on dark skin and red or pink on light skin.
Risks
Scalp psoriasis, as with all psoriasis, causeschronic inflammationthat’s not confined to the skin, which is believed to put you at risk for other inflammatory health conditions. These may include:
If you’re diagnosed with scalp psoriasis, it’s important to keep an eye out for other conditions. Talk with a healthcare provider if you develop new symptoms that don’t seem related to psoriasis.
Eczema vs. Scalp Psoriasis
Although psoriasis andeczemacan look similar, they’re different conditions.Eczema(atopic dermatitis) causes dry, bumpy skin, while some people develop small blisters that ooze or crust over.
It’s most common for eczema to start in childhood, while psoriasis is more likely to start in adulthood.
Dandruff vs. Scalp Psoriasis
The flakes of scalp psoriasis are sometimes mistaken fordandruffsince both involve flaking skin.
Dandruff causes flakes, itchiness, and mild discoloration. It doesn’t involve inflammation and is much less severe than psoriasis. It’s also confined to the scalp.
Scalp Psoriasis vs. Dandruff
What Causes Scalp Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease, which means your immune system mistakes healthy tissue for a threat, like a virus orparasite, and tries to destroy it.This causes inflammation and other symptoms.
In psoriasis, that immune activity causes new skin cells to grow faster than you need them.Typically, new cells form as the old ones are ready to slough off.
When that process is sped up, cells end up stacked on each other, and the dead ones can’t be shed. That’s what forms the scales of scalp psoriasis.
Psoriasis Causes and Risk Factors
What Deficiencies Cause Scalp Psoriasis?
While their role as possible causes of scalp psoriasis is unclear, deficiencies in the following have been linked to scalp psoriasis:
These deficiencies may contribute to the development and severity of psoriasis.
Many factors can influence your risk of developing scalp psoriasis, such as:GeneticsThe environment (pollution, sun exposure)Smoking, drinking alcoholPsychological stressOther health conditions (diabetes, hypertension)Certain medications, such asbeta-blockers, antimalarial drugs, andACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitorsCertain vaccines (influenza,tuberculosis,adenovirus, tetanus-diphtheria)
Many factors can influence your risk of developing scalp psoriasis, such as:
Complications of Scalp Psoriasis
Scalp psoriasis can lead to complications, especially if it’s not well managed. These include:
Talk to a healthcare provider if you have any of these complications. They may be able to help.
Treatment for Scalp Psoriasis
Your hair makes treating scalp psoriasis more challenging than treating psoriasis elsewhere on your body. But you still have several options, including topical treatments, systemic drugs, phototherapy, diet, and self-care.
Topical Treatments
Topical (on the skin)treatmentsare typically the first line of defense for scalp psoriasis. Topical products include over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription products such as:
A healthcare provider will ask about your typical hair care routine and help you decide on topical treatments.
How to Exfoliate Your Scalp
Systemic and Biologic Treatments
Phototherapy
Phototherapy(light therapy) involves UV light, which can slow down the growth of new cells. To get around the problem of hair covering the plaques, you can get phototherapy units with built-in combs.
Diet
Your diet doesn’t cause psoriasis, but avoiding inflammatory foods and eating more anti-inflammatory foods may help you control the condition.
Foods to avoid include:
If you’re struggling with dietary changes, ask your healthcare provider for a referral to a nutritionist.
All About the Anti-Inflammatory Diet
Self-Care
You can also take steps on your own to help manage scalp psoriasis. You may want to try:
It’s also important to avoid scratching or picking at your plaques. It can damage your skin and make psoriasis worse.
Home Remedies for Psoriasis
Does Scalp Psoriasis Go Away?
Scalp psoriasis is chronic, meaning it won’t go away. However, it is possible to manage it successfully so symptoms are gone or kept to a low level. A big part of managing the condition is preventing symptom flares.
Preventing Scalp Psoriasis Flares
If you have symptoms that suggest psoriasis, make an appointment with a healthcare provider. They may be able to diagnose and treat you, or they may refer you to adermatologist(a doctor who specializes in conditions of the skin, hair, and nails).
It’s especially important to seek medical care from a dermatologist if:
Summary
Scalp psoriasis is psoriasis that develops on the scalp. It may also cause joint, nail, or eye problems. Psoriasis may also disrupt your sleep and harm your self-esteem. Treatment options include topical products, oral medications, phototherapy, an anti-inflammatory diet, and self-care. You may benefit from seeing a dermatologist experienced in treating scalp psoriasis.
18 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Armstrong AW, Mehta MD, Schupp CW, Gondo GC, Bell SJ, Griffiths CEM.Psoriasis prevalence in adults in the United States.JAMA Dermatol. 2021;157(8):940-946. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2021.2007Merola JF, Li T, Li WQ, Cho E, Qureshi AA.Prevalence of psoriasis phenotypes among men and women in the USA.Clin Exp Dermatol. 2016;41(5):486-489. doi:10.1111/ced.12805American Academy of Dermatology Association.Scalp psoriasis: Symptoms.National Psoriasis Foundation.Psoriasis on the face.National Psoriasis Foundation.Scalp psoriasis or dandruff?National Psoriasis Foundation.Psoriatic disease affects more than skin and joints.National Psoriasis Foundation.Psoriasis or eczema?National Health Service.Overview: Psoriasis.MedlinePlus.Autoimmune diseases.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Scalp psoriasis: Causes.Kanda N, Hoashi T, Saeki H.Nutrition and psoriasis.Int J Mol Sci. 2020;21(15):5405. doi:10.3390/ijms21155405Aggarwal J, Singh A, Gupta S, Prasad R.Copper and zinc status in psoriasis: Correlation with severity.Indian J Clin Biochem. 2021;36(1):120-123. doi:10.1007/s12291-019-00870-9Kamiya K, Kishimoto M, Sugai J, Komine M, Ohtsuki M.Risk factors for the development of psoriasis.Int J Mol Sci. 2019;20(18):4347. doi:10.3390/ijms20184347New Zealand Trust: DermNet.Scalp psoriasis.National Psoriasis Foundation.Scalp psoriasis.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Psoriasis diet: Foods to eat and avoid if you have psoriasis.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Scalp psoriasis: Tips for managing.National Psoriasis Foundation.Dermatologist.
18 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Armstrong AW, Mehta MD, Schupp CW, Gondo GC, Bell SJ, Griffiths CEM.Psoriasis prevalence in adults in the United States.JAMA Dermatol. 2021;157(8):940-946. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2021.2007Merola JF, Li T, Li WQ, Cho E, Qureshi AA.Prevalence of psoriasis phenotypes among men and women in the USA.Clin Exp Dermatol. 2016;41(5):486-489. doi:10.1111/ced.12805American Academy of Dermatology Association.Scalp psoriasis: Symptoms.National Psoriasis Foundation.Psoriasis on the face.National Psoriasis Foundation.Scalp psoriasis or dandruff?National Psoriasis Foundation.Psoriatic disease affects more than skin and joints.National Psoriasis Foundation.Psoriasis or eczema?National Health Service.Overview: Psoriasis.MedlinePlus.Autoimmune diseases.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Scalp psoriasis: Causes.Kanda N, Hoashi T, Saeki H.Nutrition and psoriasis.Int J Mol Sci. 2020;21(15):5405. doi:10.3390/ijms21155405Aggarwal J, Singh A, Gupta S, Prasad R.Copper and zinc status in psoriasis: Correlation with severity.Indian J Clin Biochem. 2021;36(1):120-123. doi:10.1007/s12291-019-00870-9Kamiya K, Kishimoto M, Sugai J, Komine M, Ohtsuki M.Risk factors for the development of psoriasis.Int J Mol Sci. 2019;20(18):4347. doi:10.3390/ijms20184347New Zealand Trust: DermNet.Scalp psoriasis.National Psoriasis Foundation.Scalp psoriasis.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Psoriasis diet: Foods to eat and avoid if you have psoriasis.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Scalp psoriasis: Tips for managing.National Psoriasis Foundation.Dermatologist.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Armstrong AW, Mehta MD, Schupp CW, Gondo GC, Bell SJ, Griffiths CEM.Psoriasis prevalence in adults in the United States.JAMA Dermatol. 2021;157(8):940-946. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2021.2007Merola JF, Li T, Li WQ, Cho E, Qureshi AA.Prevalence of psoriasis phenotypes among men and women in the USA.Clin Exp Dermatol. 2016;41(5):486-489. doi:10.1111/ced.12805American Academy of Dermatology Association.Scalp psoriasis: Symptoms.National Psoriasis Foundation.Psoriasis on the face.National Psoriasis Foundation.Scalp psoriasis or dandruff?National Psoriasis Foundation.Psoriatic disease affects more than skin and joints.National Psoriasis Foundation.Psoriasis or eczema?National Health Service.Overview: Psoriasis.MedlinePlus.Autoimmune diseases.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Scalp psoriasis: Causes.Kanda N, Hoashi T, Saeki H.Nutrition and psoriasis.Int J Mol Sci. 2020;21(15):5405. doi:10.3390/ijms21155405Aggarwal J, Singh A, Gupta S, Prasad R.Copper and zinc status in psoriasis: Correlation with severity.Indian J Clin Biochem. 2021;36(1):120-123. doi:10.1007/s12291-019-00870-9Kamiya K, Kishimoto M, Sugai J, Komine M, Ohtsuki M.Risk factors for the development of psoriasis.Int J Mol Sci. 2019;20(18):4347. doi:10.3390/ijms20184347New Zealand Trust: DermNet.Scalp psoriasis.National Psoriasis Foundation.Scalp psoriasis.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Psoriasis diet: Foods to eat and avoid if you have psoriasis.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Scalp psoriasis: Tips for managing.National Psoriasis Foundation.Dermatologist.
Armstrong AW, Mehta MD, Schupp CW, Gondo GC, Bell SJ, Griffiths CEM.Psoriasis prevalence in adults in the United States.JAMA Dermatol. 2021;157(8):940-946. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2021.2007
Merola JF, Li T, Li WQ, Cho E, Qureshi AA.Prevalence of psoriasis phenotypes among men and women in the USA.Clin Exp Dermatol. 2016;41(5):486-489. doi:10.1111/ced.12805
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Scalp psoriasis: Symptoms.
National Psoriasis Foundation.Psoriasis on the face.
National Psoriasis Foundation.Scalp psoriasis or dandruff?
National Psoriasis Foundation.Psoriatic disease affects more than skin and joints.
National Psoriasis Foundation.Psoriasis or eczema?
National Health Service.Overview: Psoriasis.
MedlinePlus.Autoimmune diseases.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Scalp psoriasis: Causes.
Kanda N, Hoashi T, Saeki H.Nutrition and psoriasis.Int J Mol Sci. 2020;21(15):5405. doi:10.3390/ijms21155405
Aggarwal J, Singh A, Gupta S, Prasad R.Copper and zinc status in psoriasis: Correlation with severity.Indian J Clin Biochem. 2021;36(1):120-123. doi:10.1007/s12291-019-00870-9
Kamiya K, Kishimoto M, Sugai J, Komine M, Ohtsuki M.Risk factors for the development of psoriasis.Int J Mol Sci. 2019;20(18):4347. doi:10.3390/ijms20184347
New Zealand Trust: DermNet.Scalp psoriasis.
National Psoriasis Foundation.Scalp psoriasis.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Psoriasis diet: Foods to eat and avoid if you have psoriasis.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Scalp psoriasis: Tips for managing.
National Psoriasis Foundation.Dermatologist.
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