One of the most common forms of the disease is scalp psoriasis.
The disease itself is not an infectious process, but, nevertheless, the disease proceeds in an inflammatory manner.
Symptoms of psoriasis are very typical of fungal diseases - red or pink spots form on the head, which have a different shape.
In addition to the formation of single or multiple rashes, itching, burning and inflammation appear on the skin.
Causes of psoriasis
Why does psoriasis on the head occur and what is it? Doctors still don't know why some people develop scalp psoriasis. Doctors periodically come up with new theories and refute old ones. The causes of the development of the disease are often associated with a genetic predisposition, and the factors that provoke their occurrence include:
- Genetic burden - parents with psoriasis have been shown to have an order of magnitude more likely to have children with this diagnosis.
- Violation of the formation and maturation of epidermal cells, according to one of the hypotheses, is the main reason for the development of the disease.
- It is also assumed that the reason is not in the epidermis, but in the body's immunity, which produces the bad factors that negatively affect the skin.
- According to some scientists, disturbances in the endocrine system also contribute to the development of the disease.
The most likely cause of the development of psoriasis today is considered to be autoimmune processes in the body of a sick person.
Is your hair falling out?
Often patients suffering from a disease are interested in the question - can hair loss be observed in psoriasis? It should be noted that mass baldness does not occur. If such a process occurs, then in an insignificant amount, since the hair follicles are deep and the disease does not affect them.
Is psoriasis contagious?
This fear is associated with the unusual appearance of psoriasis and its history. In ancient times, psoriasis was mistakenly considered to be a form of the terrible disease of leprosy. From the above reasons for the appearance of psoriasis, it is clear that this disease cannot come under the category of infectious diseases. Therefore, the answer to the question of whether it is possible to be infected with psoriasis is a - no.
Symptoms
Scalp psoriasis is accompanied by the appearance of a characteristic rash, represented by spots or, more often, plaques ranging from pale pink to brownish red. In most cases, the elements of the rash are infiltrated from a palpable minimal elevation above the level of healthy skin to a pronounced infiltration of more than 1 mm.
In the early stages, only diffuse, without inflammatory manifestations and without clear boundaries, an abundant peel in the form of dandruff is possible. It is very similar to other dermatoses of the head, which greatly complicates the differential diagnosis and treatment of psoriasis of the head.
The most typical symptom of psoriasis is the "psoriatic crown" - the process transition from scalp to smooth skin of adjacent areas of the forehead, areas above and behind the ears, back surface of the earlobes. , the occipital region and the nape of the neck.
Depending on the area and the severity of the symptoms, there are 3 degrees of damage to the scalp:
- Easy- its main manifestation is the appearance on the head of small single lesions covered with fine small scales;
- Heavy- psoriasis completely affects the scalp, the size of the scales is much larger, and they are much thicker than with mild severity of the disease.
Clinical studies show that in most patients, no single factor can be identified that could explain the onset of the disease. Most often, a combination of several of these reasons is observed, which allows to classify psoriasis as a polyetiologic disease.
The difference between psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis
Differential diagnostic signs of psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis:
- Psoriasis, unlike diabetes mellitus, is characterized by a more pronounced infiltration of the elements of the rash due to acanthosis and hyperproliferation of the epidermis.
- The rashes of psoriasis often extend beyond the scalp, to the forehead (the "psoriatic crown"), to the neck, to the ears.
- The peel with psoriasis is dry, with diabetes the scales are more fatty.
- More pronounced itching is seen with diabetes.
It is also necessary to carefully examine and question the patient for damage to the nails and joints, the presence of which can speak in favor of psoriasis and significantly affect the subsequent tactics of treatment.
Scalp Psoriasis Treatment
When scalp psoriasis has been diagnosed, a set of measures are used for treatment, including:
- general therapy;
- local treatment;
- physiotherapy procedures;
- Spa treatment.
In mild cases of scalp psoriasis and in the absence of progression, in most cases it is enough to prescribe local drugs for treatment - shampoos, gels, ointments, tar, etc. At the same time, the therapy of a constantly progressive inflammatory process may require the use of a larger arsenal of pharmacological drugs from various groups and physiotherapeutic techniques.
How to treat psoriasis with medication?
In the complex of general therapy, doctors can include the following drugs:
- Vitamin complexes and vitamins C, A and group B;
- Non-specific immunotherapy drugs: ATP, Aloe;
- Aromatic retinoids;
- Cytostatics;
- Hemodez's solution;
- Enterosorbents;
- Monoclonal antibodies;
- immunomodulators;
- Antihistamines;
- NVPS;
- Sedatives;
- Autologous calcified blood.
The inclusion of corticosteroids and cytostatics during treatment is advised in severe psoriasis and significant severity of symptoms on the scalp. They should be used with great caution: such funds can provoke an aggravation of the course of the disease.
Shampoo for scalp psoriasis
Is it possible to treat scalp psoriasis with shampoos? As a rule, using even a very effective shampoo is not enough. However, the use of special curative agents in complex therapy is a prerequisite for successful treatment.
All medicinal shampoos help reduce the inflammatory process, relieve or reduce itching, but the use of only one shampoo is not effective - the treatment must be comprehensive.
Ointments
Local treatment always helps to increase the effectiveness of the drug. In the progressive stage of psoriasis, 2% salicylic and boron-salidol ointments will be helpful. If there is an exudative component and severe inflammation, then the appointment of creams and ointments with corticosteroids will be necessary.
Non-hormonal ointments contain birch, pine, juniper and coal tar. They can be produced both in the form of ointments and pastes.
Diet for psoriasis of the head
Nutrition should be uniform. Food portions should be small, on a "better less, more often" basis. The last meal should be no later than 19: 00, at night it is allowed to drink a glass of kefir or yogurt.
- It is necessary to completely abandon alcoholic beverages. Their use during the period of remission can cause exacerbation.
- Fatty, spicy and smoked foods should be excluded from the diet.
- Sweets are also not recommended - cakes, pastries, chocolate, sugar - all should be banned for psoriasis. Only small amounts of honey are allowed.
Drinks, sea buckthorn, rose hips or blackcurrant leaf tea will be useful.
spa treatment
During your stay in hospitals, you should follow the following procedures:
- heliotherapy;
- mud therapy;
- hydrogen sulfide baths and swimming in hydrogen sulfide sources.
Treatment is carried out in special sanatoriums, they help reduce the frequency of relapses and achieve long-term remission.
PUVAtherapy
PUVAtherapy is a method of physiotherapeutic treatment that involves using a photoactive drug and irradiating the skin with long-wave UV radiation.
Fairly long experience of use and reviews of specialists prove the effectiveness of PUVA therapy in the treatment of various dermatological diseases (including psoriasis), especially in the case of a persistent course and ineffectiveness of'other therapeutic methods. According to statistics, a positive effect is obtained in about 80-85% of cases.
Hair care rules
To get a better condition of your hair and scalp, you must follow the basic rules of care, as well as the recommendations of a doctor:
- Wash your hair only with the recommended special shampoo.
- Comb the hair with a natural bristle comb.
- Systematically treat the scalp with disinfectant mixtures.
- Comb your hair very gently, gently, without hurting the scalp.
- Try to dry your hair naturally without using a hairdryer.
- With psoriasis of the head, you should avoid complex styling that requires the use of various styling products.