Psoriasis is a common skin condition that affects millions of people in the US alone. What’s more, almost four million of them have psoriasis on their scalp. When it affects the scalp, psoriasis and hair loss will often go hand-in-hand.
The Basics of Scalp Psoriasis
Psoriasis occurs when your skin is generating new cells faster than usual. Because the old skin cells are still active, there’s nothing for the new ones to do. As such, they will start forming red patches, which is the first symptom of this condition.
These red patches are usually covered in scales, too. You may thus confuse it with dandruff that occurs as a result of seborrheic dermatitis. But while dandruff has a yellow glow, the psoriasis scales are silvery-white. Moreover, psoriasis dries your skin, whereas dandruff buildups tend to make your scalp greasy.
Scalp Psoriasis and Hair Loss
As a rule, psoriasis scales are very itchy. When they affect your scalp, you may not be able to resist the urge to scratch them. In doing so, you can accidentally pull out some of your hair. The same thing will also happen if you try to remove the scales using your nails.
When this condition occurs, it may extend beyond just your hair. In many cases, it will also affect the back of your neck, as well as the skin around the ears. Many people style their hair so that it covers the redness and the scaling. But because of the link between psoriasis and hair loss, it might not always be possible.
What You Can Do
Doctors will usually prescribe topical creams and vitamin D supplements to treat psoriasis. In some cases, they may also recommend laser therapy. Furthermore, some shampoos and home remedies can help reduce the itching.
But psoriasis is a chronic condition, which means that it can reoccur at any given time. Luckily, the resulting hair loss is only temporary. Proper treatment will thus help you restore your hair health.
