The first manifestations of psoriasis often appear on the head and then spread throughout the body. Psoriasis of the scalp occurs with itching and a risk of bacterial complications. If you suspect the psoriatic nature of the rash, consult a doctor immediately - the disease responds well to treatment at the outset. The article contains all the information about the symptoms and all known treatments for this form of the disease.
Causes of psoriasis on the head
This is a chronic non-infectious dermatological process that develops in people with a hereditary predisposition. The causes of psoriasis on the head and the mechanism of its development are not fully understood. However, it was found that the process develops against the background of metabolic and immune disorders. The body loses control over the division of skin epithelial cells: they begin to divide much faster. Signs of keratinization also appear quickly, manifesting in the form of peeling. At the same time, inflammatory processes develop on the skin.
The main cause of scalp psoriasisis a hereditary predisposition. Scientists are trying to identify the genes responsible for transmitting the disease from generation to generation. Separate altered areas have already been established, linked to different genes, found in patients and their close relatives.
But a person who has a genetic predisposition does not necessarily get sick. External and internal predisposing factors are equally important. Scalp psoriasis begins in genetically predisposed individuals due to exposure to the following factors:
- mechanical skin irritation (with a hairbrush with hard teeth; injuries of small wounds and crusts that occur with seborrhea, etc. );
- exposure to cold;
- transmitted infectious diseases; often after streptococcal impetigo - purulent rash mainly on the skin of the face; it develops in children and becomes a stimulus for the development of the autoimmune process;
- chronic stress and high loads;
- frequent smoking, alcohol abuse;
- eating disorders - malnutrition of dry food, excessive consumption of high-calorie foods and hot spices;
- with hormonal disorders affecting the condition of the sebaceous glands of the skin - obesity, imbalance of sex hormones, diabetes mellitus, diseases of the thyroid gland, pituitary gland, hypothalamus;
- in diseases of the liver and kidneys with impaired function of these organs; toxins are neutralized in the liver and excreted from the body via the kidneys; intoxication may become the starting point in the development of the disease.
Under the influence of one or more factors, the interaction of the organism with the environment is disturbed. The metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates is disturbed, which causes the acceleration of metabolic processes in the skin and its peeling.
Psoriasis of any localization can spread throughout the body, so do not delay treatment.
Changes in the immune system are manifested in the form of increased sensitivity of the skin to any external influences (in addition to combing or frequent hair coloring). In response to such influences, antibodies are formed on their own cells, causing the onset of an autoimmune inflammatory process. The reasons why inflammation begins are not yet fully understood. It is one of the priorities of medicine in the direction of treating psoriasis.
Symptoms of scalp psoriasis
Psoriasis on the head manifests itself in the form of characteristic symptoms. The disease can begin acutely with multiple rashes (vulgar form of psoriasis) or with gradual itching and flaking of the skin, and only then do characteristic rashes (seborrheic form) appear.
The more frequent onset is gradual, in the form of dandruff and dandruff. In the early stages, these are small areas in the occipital region. The peeling spreads to larger areas and itching begins. Constant scratching of the skin contributes to its roughness and the appearance of scratches. What does scalp psoriasis look like? The initial symptoms of psoriasis on the head in the photo look like this:
In the area of scratches and abrasions, redness appears first, followed by small inflammatory nodules and papules, surrounded by a bright edge that rises above the surface of the skin. Accompanied by severe itching, the rash increases in size and merges with each other. The characteristics of the rash are:
- white "shavings" covering the papules; when scraped, it resembles a stearin stain; in the seborrheic form the scales are yellowish in color and the phenomenon of stearin stain is not so pronounced;
- if you scrape off all the "chips", a smooth transparent surface opens;
- further scraping leads to the appearance of drops of blood on the surface - "bloody dew".
In the photo, the three characters look like this:
These three characteristic manifestations distinguish scalp psoriasis from seborrheic dermatitis, which can be easily confused with. In the future, the papules merge and form psoriatic plaques, which have a different configuration and sometimes spread to the entire surface of the head.
The course of scalp psoriasis may be mild with the appearance of individual rashes in the initial stage. These rashes then go through all three stages of development. In severe form, the rash occupies an entire significant area and spreads to the face and neck in the form of a crown - an inflammatory edge covered with silvery scales. The hair root is not damaged, but the psoriasis process is often accompanied by a bacterial, fungal or mixed infection, which leads to complications that are not so easy to cure. This is what the crown looks like:
Stages of psoriasis on the head
The disease lasts a long time, exacerbations are replaced by remissions. The frequency of exacerbations and the severity of symptoms depend on the presence of provoking factors.
Progressive phase
The rash and inflammation spread, followed by intense itching. In the initial phase, Koebner's symptom appears - the appearance of psoriatic rash at the site of scratches and scuffs.
Stationary
The process is in the same state, it does not spread, but it does not fade either.
Regressive
The process gradually subsides, the itching disappears, the rash fades, the inflammatory infiltrate decreases, gradually taking on the appearance of a stain; the color of the rash becomes pale, starting from the center, forming ring-shaped figures with a lighter edge. Sometimes they begin to fade from the periphery to the center, and then take the form of whitish rings (a symptom of psoriasis on the head is Voronov's pseudoatrophy). The healing phase can take a long time and gradually only white depigmented spots remain on the skin.
Methods of treating psoriasis on the head
Scalp psoriasis requires systematic treatment under the supervision of a physician. Crucial is the mobile lifestyle, quitting smoking and alcohol, diet. It is necessary to treat the disease in a complex way, to apply techniques taking into account the characteristics of the patient's body. Complex therapy can include modern European methods, drug therapy, as well as oriental methods proven for centuries. Such treatment can immediately significantly improve the patient's condition and lead to the development of stable remission within a few weeks.
PRP - therapy - the method is based on the ability of platelets (red platelets) to secrete growth factor that stimulates the regenerative abilities of cells. By centrifugation, the patient's blood is enriched with platelets, and then it is injected in points into the scalp. The technique can significantly accelerate the onset of remission and prevent the development of relapse.
Autochemotherapy - treatment is performed by intramuscular injection of a small amount of blood taken from a patient's vein. This has a general stimulating effect, restores the epithelium of the head. Stable remission is observed after treatment.
Reflexology is the influence in different ways on special points on the body, reflexively connected with organs and tissues. One of the oldest and most effective traditional methods of treatment. Influence on points can be performed by acupuncture (acupuncture), cauterization, massage, etc. Treatment of psoriasis on the head with these methods has been practiced in oriental medicine for thousands of years. Treatments are performed by a reflexologist.
Vacuum therapy - the action of dilute air on biologically active points - is one of the methods of reflexology. It can be reported using cans or special equipment. Stimulates rapid recovery of altered tissues. As a result of the application of vacuum therapy, the affected areas are significantly reduced.
Phytotherapy - dermatologists widely use medicinal herbs in their practice in the form of infusions, decoctions and ready-made pharmaceutical forms. When used properly as part of a complex treatment, they are very effective both in the early stages of the disease and in its long-term forms. If you add phytotherapy, it increases the effectiveness of other methods of treatment, reduces the risk of developing side effects of drugs.
Treatment of psoriasis on the head in the clinic
In a specialized clinic, this disease is treated by dermatologists who are trained and clinically experienced in treating this disease with all currently known methods. In their work, they use new Western methods of treatment in combination with traditional Eastern methods that have been successfully used for thousands of years by doctors in ancient China and Tibet.
To avoid recurrence, it is necessary to eliminate the cause of the disease
Professional clinics use different methods with an individual approach to each patient. Several complexes of traditional methods combined with drug treatment can permanently save a patient from scalp skin problems.
The effectiveness of treatment in the clinic is noted in their comments and reviews not only by patients who regularly receive adjuvant treatment, but also by colleagues from other Moscow clinics.
Prevention of psoriasis of the head
Prevention of psoriasis on the head is especially necessary for people with a hereditary predisposition who have sick relatives. It involves eliminating the influence of the following factors:
- any prolonged skin exposure;
- malnutrition and sedentary lifestyle;
- prolonged stress and heavy loads;
- smoking and alcohol abuse;
- hormonal disorders - if such disorders are suspected, consult an endocrinologist immediately;
- intoxication - timely treatment of all chronic diseases that contribute to impaired metabolism and immunity.
A dermatologist can tell you how to cure psoriasis on the head after the examination. Therefore, you should not delay with the advice of a specialist, because the initial stages of the disease are much easier to treat. Can we cure this process? It is completely impossible to cure the disease, but if a person is treated regularly, there is a great opportunity to get rid of the relapse for a long time.
Diet for psoriasis of the head?
There is no special diet, but the treatment of scalp psoriasis involves a proper 4 meals a day that contain all the ingredients needed by the body in the diet. Food that irritates the skin should not be present on the table:
- hot, salty, sour;
- fruits rich in essential oils (fresh garlic and onions, radishes);
- fried, smoked, canned food;
- Caffeinated beverages - strong tea, coffee, Coca-Cola, etc. ;
- alcoholic beverages - contribute to the development of disease recurrence.
It has been determined that meat foods cause worsening of the condition, so there should be more foods in the diet that contain complex carbohydrates, lean meat, fresh cheese, yogurt, etc.
Scalp psoriasis drug therapy?
Medicines are chosen in accordance with the patient's condition and the presence of certain symptoms of the disease. In the initial stage of psoriasis on the head, the following external means are used:
- when wet, solutions and creams are prescribed that relieve these symptoms and prevent bacterial and fungal infections;
- if the skin is dry, it is treated with ointments; ointment with salicylic acid - has a softening effect; tar fats have the same effect; ointments with zinc and vitamin D3 analogue + glucocorticoid betamethasone help a lot - it helps to quickly eliminate the symptoms of psoriasis;
- ointments and creams with corticosteroid hormones are prescribed in the treatment of common forms of psoriasis on the head;
- shampoos are widely used; thus, tar shampoos alleviate inflammation, soften crusts; zinc shampoo has antiseptic and emollient effect, relieves inflammation; shampoos have been used for a long time.
Folk remedies for psoriasis on the head?
Is it possible to treat scalp psoriasis with folk remedies? Most experts use folk remedies for the symptomatic treatment (removal of certain symptoms) of this disease. But you have to be clear that:
- it is necessary to treat the disease with folk remedies on the recommendation of a dermatologist;
- it is impossible to cure the disease only with folk remedies; dermatologists prescribe complex therapy in combination with traditional medicine.