Psoriasis of the scalp: causes, symptoms, treatment

Skin disease a large group of diseases, in addition to the direct negative impact on human health impact on psychological status. Apart from the dermatological disease, psoriasis is a chronic disease successful treatment of which remains a challenge, the doctors is a prerequisite to a meaningful life for patients.

psoriasis on the head

Features localized in the head, psoriasis

Often the first area of skin lesions, the psoriasis, the hair of the head. In some cases, the disease only the region, but often, especially in the absence of treatment, a new plaque will eventually appear in other parts of the body. The reason that the psoriasis affects the scalp, consider a special structure of the epithelium in this area, as well as the inevitable daily skin damage in the process of combing.

According to the statistics of psoriasis occurs in 1 in 100 people, but in different regions this indicator differs. About 80% of the patients with lesions of the scalp, and a quarter of them the disease in this area is limited, others can sooner or later spread to the skin of the palm, the foot, the outer surface of the joints, etc.

Psoriasis no man can avoid, however, the accumulated clinical experience allows the doctors to share the risk. So, most of the pathology occurs in women, the initial stage of the disease is usually recorded in patients 15 to 25 years. The risk of psoriasis increased, the people, the parents, brothers, sisters, who also suffer from this disease.

Reason

Psoriasis - a mysterious illness, to explain the appearance which is difficult, even for the modern scientists. Every year there are new and new theories about what the cause, the inflammatory response to excess synthesis of the skin cells in the body of the patients. While the leading hypothesis genetics, some people have a congenital predisposition to accelerated renewal of skin cells, which in the case if the symptoms of the disease, leads to specific reaction of the immune system. The result is a vicious circle: the more produced new cells that form the plaque, the more inflamed the skin in this area (the organisation is treated like some kind of alien), and the more damaged the skin under the influence of immune cells - the active participation of the epithelial cells.

In some cases, the starting point to the development of the disease pathology of the immune system, which in turn is a consequence of extreme stress, or an infectious disease. So, it should be noted that the HIV-infected psoriasis occurs three times more often than the average population.

It is interesting that in the middle Ages table the body of the sick was called the "rose of the devil". They thought that these signs are not evidence of the curse, and then can be transmitted to healthy people when touched. The tragedy was that until the nineteenth century the doctors didn't know to distinguish from psoriasis, leprosy, scabies, other skin diseases, so that everyone who suffered from chronic skin diseases were banned from society, forced to wear a white dress that hides the body, face, and bells warning others of "danger of infection".

How does psoriasis on the head: the signs of defeat

Psoriasis of the scalp is also called seborrheic psoriasis, although this phrase is also true that the lesions of other skin areas where a high density of sebaceous glands — ear regions, nasolabial folds, chest, inter-blade region. The disease first manifests itself usually by flaking, similar to dandruff. The appearance of plates is accompanied by itching of the skin in this area is covered with silvery scales. It is important that psoriasis, even in patients with severe inflammatory process is not observed, the hair loss, which is the hallmark of this disease.

Psoriasis plaques tend to grow and join together to form larger units — they are called "paraffin ponds". Under the skin is easily traumatized, bleeding, so patients, despite severe itching, resist the desire to scratch the affected area.

Some of the plaque type of psoriasis is the reddish or even purple color, like the blisters of clear liquid. The disease is characterized by chronic progressive course: the periods of exacerbation followed by remission, when symptoms ease, but the symptoms of the disease usually is not possible. Thus, depending on the individual patient's psoriasis can be a minor cosmetic error, not accompanied by unpleasant feeling, a severe severe condition, prevents your personal life, your work, and also restrict that the patient is capable of self-care.

Characteristics of treatment

A famous British politician, Winston Churchill, who himself suffered from psoriasis, once promised to erect a statue of pure gold to the person who will cure this disease. Unfortunately, this is still a reliable way to once and for all with this skin lesion was found. But this does not mean that there is no cure, the medicine, the different tools, which help alleviate the symptoms of psoriasis and improve the quality of life of the patient, the longer the period, the rest of the skin without sudden exacerbation, and recurrence.

The treatment of psoriasis of the scalp particularly in this form, the external signs of the disease or noticeable to others (not hidden under clothing), so patients experience pronounced psychological discomfort, but seek all means to get rid of the plaque. In addition, the seborrheic psoriasis is characterized by itching, so patients often require symptomatic treatment is aimed at pain relief affected area.

External preparations for the treatment of psoriasis of the scalp

Medicinal products intended for direct application to the affected area of the psoriasis, or selected individually. The patient should be prepared for the fact that the first doctor prescribed drug will be effective — it takes time to find the optimal combination of effective medicines.

Hormones

Drugs on the basis of steroid hormones quickly reduces inflammation, itching. Unlike steroids systemic effects (used in the form of tablets or injections in the severe form of psoriasis), these ointments, creams no pronounced side effects on the body. However, regular use can be harmful to the health of the skin, in the area of the application often discolours, becomes thin, vulnerable to secondary infections, which significantly complicates the treatment. The prolonged use of topical (local) and steroids can cause withdrawal symptoms after withdrawal of exacerbation, as well as the discontinuation of the drug, the disease back into outer space, and even more symptoms. Therefore, a number of restrictions on the topical steroids. Don't:

  • use it regularly, long term (≤5 days);
  • applicable to sensitive skin areas (face, neck, wrinkles), as well as large areas of the skin lesions (more than 20% of the surface).

It is important that the ointments, creams, and shampoos on the basis of glucocorticoid steroids only after consulting your doctor.

Non-hormonal creams, ointments

To improve the condition of scalp psoriasis without the use of hormonal preparations. The basis for creams, ointments, shampoos, this group of active substances have anti-inflammatory, vasoconstrictive, sedative, moisturizing effect: zinc pyrithione, tar, salicylic acid, garden they consider others. The application is useful regardless of the stage of the disease — reducing plaque formation, scaling, itching, inflammation.

The efficiency of the non-hormonal creams, ointments depends on the main active ingredient. Thus, drugs based on zinc, you can apply, there is no limitation on the frequency of use, while the tar means dry skin, so it is advisable to use 1-2 times a week in combination with moisturizing emulsion.

Cosmetics

The patient a long time suffering from psoriasis often turn to cosmetic remedies to improve the appearance of your scalp, but don't have medicinal effects. We're talking about all sorts of shampoos, oils, designed to relieve irritation, soften the skin, to scaly plaques less pronounced. Assess the real effectiveness of such tools is not possible — especially when used in conjunction with treatment prescribed by the doctor.

Symptomatic treatment

Some medicines that help the psoriasis of the scalp, is not able to change the course of the disease, however, significantly facilitate the condition of the patient. Because the factors affecting the activity of the pathological process, very much, it is important to ensure the health of the patient as a whole, fight the consequences of the disease (e.g. infection, the affected skin or medicinal liver).

Physical therapy

Ultraviolet radiation can reduce the symptoms of psoriasis of the scalp many patients, therefore physical therapy under artificial light is a very popular method of treatment of this pathology.

The light therapy the ultra-violet spectrum (UVB) light is applied to a wavelength visible to the human eye. Each meeting lasts a few minutes, the entire course of treatment takes 6-8 weeks.

PUVA therapy includes the combination of light therapy is applied to the skin photosensitizing substances. The treatment in the form of tablets or creams, and then come the seats, the irradiation with ultraviolet light in the spectrum of A. This method is effective even in severe forms of psoriasis, however, in the long term may increase the risk to the patient of skin cancer.

Naturotherapy

The use of the environmental factors is another important approach to the treatment of psoriasis. Stay resorts the special weather conditions (the Dead sea coast, White mineral waters, etc.) contributing to lengthening periods of remission, relieve symptoms. Many patients report the effect of using therapeutic mud bath, herbal decoction, the use of apiculture products (in), as well as the applications, the naphthalene oil and other rare chemical compounds that have proven efficacy in complex therapy of skin diseases.

However, the final guidance does not exist, the success of such methods depends on the individual characteristics of each patient.

Correction lifestyle

Change your diet (avoid food which provoke the psoriasis exacerbation), the rejection of alcohol consumption, regular exercise, and psychotherapy purpose of anxiety reduction, in patients with the seborrheic psoriasis. In some patients, the healthy lifestyle helps not only to reduce manifestations of the underlying disease, but general well-being by addressing the factors that trigger other diseases. It is important to follow the recommendations of the doctor positive reviews also apply to the promotion to full in the event of refusal of medication with the non-traditional methods.

Patients with psoriasis often becomes depressed with the realization that this disease appeared again, staying with the life. However, the positive attitude, active position in relation to new approaches to treatment, contribute to the return of the high quality of life to reduce the unpleasant symptoms. You don't need to the psoriasis only problem is that the different options. Don't let illness spoil your life.

Why is it important to start the treatment of seborrheic psoriasis in the shortest time?

There is no doubt that the completely cure psoriasis is impossible, but you can reduce the frequency of, duration of, especially, if it is competent, but the most important thing is that it's time to start the treatment at the first symptoms. It is advisable to choose the medicines, the safety, which confirms the clinical studies.