Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesIs It Permanent?Preventing Hair LossWhen to Seek Medical CareTreatmentHow Often to Shampoo
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Is It Permanent?
Preventing Hair Loss
When to Seek Medical Care
Treatment
How Often to Shampoo
Scalp psoriasis(psoriasis occurring on the head) can lead tohair losswhen the skin becomes irritated, leading to itching, scales, and scratching.Additionally, psoriasis indicates an overactive immune system, which can also prevent hair from growing.
Learn the causes of hair loss with psoriasis, how to prevent it, and more.
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What Causes Psoriasis Hair Loss
Often, when hair falls out due to psoriasis, it happens because of scratching.One of thesymptomsof psoriasis is lesions or scales that can be very itchy.Scratching these can cause even more irritation and cause the hair to fall out. Furthermore, when scales peel off, they can dislodge any attached hair.
Additionally, psoriasis occurs when theimmune systemis too active, which can also stop hair growth.Sometimes psoriasis can cause scars that damage hair follicles, further preventing hair from growing.
Hair Thinning vs. Hair Loss
When hair stops growing due to a condition, such as an overactive immune system, it is called hair loss. Your hair typically won’t grow back until the underlying cause is treated.
Plaque Psoriasis: Pictures and Symptoms of the Types You May See on Your Body
Is Psoriasis Hair Loss Permanent?
Men vs. WomenPsoriasis tends to be more severe inmenthan inwomen.More severe symptoms, such as itching, may lead to hair loss.
Men vs. Women
Psoriasis tends to be more severe inmenthan inwomen.More severe symptoms, such as itching, may lead to hair loss.
How to Prevent Hair Loss From Scalp Psoriasis
When to Check in With a Healthcare Provider
Your primary care provider can treat psoriasis in general, but it may be necessary to see adermatologist, a medical doctor (M.D.) who specializes in conditions of the skin, hair, and nails, for more severe cases.
Psoriasis Diagnosis
Mild cases may not need medical treatment, but it is still important to see a medical professional who can:
Treatment for Psoriasis Hair Loss
One way to treat psoriasis hair loss is to relieve the symptoms causing it, such as itching and irritation, with creams, shampoos, medications, or a combination of these options.Treatments are available OTC or with a prescription.
Treatment options for psoriasis include:
There are also lifestyle changes that can help, such as eating more fruits and vegetables and less sugar and processed food.
The Psoriasis Diet: What to Eat (and Avoid)
How Often to Use Medicated Shampoo for Psoriasis
Psoriasis shampoo can be used every day to help relieve symptoms and help with hair loss. However, it should not be used for longer than four months. If your symptoms are not under control within this time, it is essential to see a healthcare provider for an evaluation and to assess other possible treatment options.
Additionally, some shampoos can make symptoms worse, so it is essential to see a healthcare provider for recommendations of safe and effective products.
Summary
Psoriasis is a condition that involves an overactive immune system that can prevent hair from growing. Additionally, people with psoriasis can experience itchy scales on the scalp. Scratching can cause irritation that can make hair fall out. Once psoriasis symptoms are treated, hair loss is usually reversible.
12 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.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Scalp psoriasis: symptoms.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Do you have hair loss or hair shedding?American Academy of Dermatology Association.Scalp psoriasis: 10 ways to reduce hair loss.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Scalp psoriasis: shampoos, scale softeners, and other treatments.Almeida MC, Romiti R, Doche I, et al.Psoriatic scarring alopecia.An Bras Dermatol. 2013;88(6 Suppl 1):29-31. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20132241American Academy of Dermatology Association.Hair loss: who gets it and causes.National Institutes of Health.Psoriasis: diagnosis, treatment, and steps to take.Hägg D, Sundström A, Eriksson M, et al.Severity of psoriasis differs between men and women: a study of the clinical outcome measure psoriasis area and severity index (pasi) in 5438 swedish register patients.Am J Clin Dermatol. 2017;18(4):583-590. doi:10.1007/s40257-017-0274-0University of California Los Angeles Health.Scalp psoriasis.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Psoriasis diet: foods to eat and avoid if you have psoriasis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Psoriasis.National Psoriasis Foundation.Psoriasis shampoos your scalp will love.
12 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.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Scalp psoriasis: symptoms.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Do you have hair loss or hair shedding?American Academy of Dermatology Association.Scalp psoriasis: 10 ways to reduce hair loss.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Scalp psoriasis: shampoos, scale softeners, and other treatments.Almeida MC, Romiti R, Doche I, et al.Psoriatic scarring alopecia.An Bras Dermatol. 2013;88(6 Suppl 1):29-31. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20132241American Academy of Dermatology Association.Hair loss: who gets it and causes.National Institutes of Health.Psoriasis: diagnosis, treatment, and steps to take.Hägg D, Sundström A, Eriksson M, et al.Severity of psoriasis differs between men and women: a study of the clinical outcome measure psoriasis area and severity index (pasi) in 5438 swedish register patients.Am J Clin Dermatol. 2017;18(4):583-590. doi:10.1007/s40257-017-0274-0University of California Los Angeles Health.Scalp psoriasis.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Psoriasis diet: foods to eat and avoid if you have psoriasis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Psoriasis.National Psoriasis Foundation.Psoriasis shampoos your scalp will love.
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.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Scalp psoriasis: symptoms.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Do you have hair loss or hair shedding?American Academy of Dermatology Association.Scalp psoriasis: 10 ways to reduce hair loss.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Scalp psoriasis: shampoos, scale softeners, and other treatments.Almeida MC, Romiti R, Doche I, et al.Psoriatic scarring alopecia.An Bras Dermatol. 2013;88(6 Suppl 1):29-31. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20132241American Academy of Dermatology Association.Hair loss: who gets it and causes.National Institutes of Health.Psoriasis: diagnosis, treatment, and steps to take.Hägg D, Sundström A, Eriksson M, et al.Severity of psoriasis differs between men and women: a study of the clinical outcome measure psoriasis area and severity index (pasi) in 5438 swedish register patients.Am J Clin Dermatol. 2017;18(4):583-590. doi:10.1007/s40257-017-0274-0University of California Los Angeles Health.Scalp psoriasis.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Psoriasis diet: foods to eat and avoid if you have psoriasis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Psoriasis.National Psoriasis Foundation.Psoriasis shampoos your scalp will love.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Scalp psoriasis: symptoms.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Do you have hair loss or hair shedding?
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Scalp psoriasis: 10 ways to reduce hair loss.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Scalp psoriasis: shampoos, scale softeners, and other treatments.
Almeida MC, Romiti R, Doche I, et al.Psoriatic scarring alopecia.An Bras Dermatol. 2013;88(6 Suppl 1):29-31. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20132241
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Hair loss: who gets it and causes.
National Institutes of Health.Psoriasis: diagnosis, treatment, and steps to take.
Hägg D, Sundström A, Eriksson M, et al.Severity of psoriasis differs between men and women: a study of the clinical outcome measure psoriasis area and severity index (pasi) in 5438 swedish register patients.Am J Clin Dermatol. 2017;18(4):583-590. doi:10.1007/s40257-017-0274-0
University of California Los Angeles Health.Scalp psoriasis.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Psoriasis diet: foods to eat and avoid if you have psoriasis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Psoriasis.
National Psoriasis Foundation.Psoriasis shampoos your scalp will love.
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