In the modern world, there are many medical and social problems that arise unpredictably and have specific developments, one of which is the disease of civilization - psoriasis. This disease occurs in 1. 5 - 2% of the population of advanced countries, it is equally spread in both men and women, manifests itself regardless of the age of the patient.
What is Psoriasis aka Psoriasis?
Psoriasis, also known as psoriasis, is a genetically determined skin disease, based on a chronic recurrent inflammatory process of the skin (impaired keratinocyte maturation) due to the influence oftrigger factor. The etiology of the rash is very diverse, the location of the psoriasis foci can occur both on the mucous membranes of the mouth and on the scalp, on the extended surfaces of the limbs, fingernails or throughout the body.
Since psoriasis is a systemic disease, lesions will also be characteristic of the cardiovascular, nervous, musculoskeletal, and other systems. In addition, the manifestation of the disease in 80% of cases in the early stages is a defeated scalp, so in this article we want to pay special attention to the specific locus of psoriasis.
Causes of psoriasis on the head
There are two types of psoriasis: early and late. The early type is genetically determined, heredity plays an important role here. It is known that the presence of this disease in one of the parents increases the risk of psoriasis in children by 14%, and with psoriasis in both parents - by 40%.
There are more than 100 factors that lead to the appearance of scaly lichen, the most common of which are:
- genetic
- Spread
- infections (tonsillitis) and allergies
- stress (psychology)
- Endocrine
- metabolic disorders (lipids, enzymes)
- immune disorder.
Symptoms of Scalp Psoriasis
A characteristic factor for psoriasis is a symmetrical flat elevation on the surface of the skin with evenly rounded contours and increased roughness, combined with a large number of easily removed silvery scales. The size of the rash can vary from 1 mm to 2 cm, and so the formations often merge and form patches of different configurations, which can reach 10 cm or even 20 cm.
A phenomenon that frequently occurs in psoriasis is the so-called "psoriasis crown" - the transition of the tumors to the smooth skin of the neck or the temporal region along the hairline. A pronounced symptom that spreads among patients with scalp psoriasis is itching.
Psoriasis is defined by the top three symptoms (the psoriasis triad):
- "Stearin stain" - psoriatic plaques are scraped off with a slide, resulting in a thinner crust, increasing the snow-white color of the surface and resembling a frozen drop of stearin.
- "Terminal film" - with additional scraping, a smooth matte surface will be observed.
- "Blood fog" - the presence of small drops of blood when shaving.
Stages of the development of psoriasis
The psoriasis process includes the next 3 stages:
- I'm making progress
- II fixed
- III Recession
Progression stage
It is characterized by the formation of new papules of larger diameter. The peeling process does not extend to areas of healthy skin, and leaves a narrow pink band along the periphery of the patches. The main symptom of the patient is itching. In addition, for the advanced or acute stage of psoriasis, the presence of the Koebner phenomenon is characteristic - the formation of new papules 7 days after the skin injury. There is a triad of psoriasis symptoms.
Freeze
At this stage, there is no appearance of new elements of the rash, the manifestation of itching decreases or disappears completely. The diagnosis of psoriasis triad was problematic and Koebner's symptoms were negative.
Draw back
In the regressive stage, the flaking subsides, the patches disappear, but hypopigmentation spots form. Psoriasis symptoms are not detected. It is worth noting that even after the regressive stage, the "plaques" remain on the scalp, knees and elbows.
Stages of the disease according to the degree of damage
Depending on the area of the lesion, psoriasis has 3 stages:
- mild - affected area less than 3%
- moderate - rate of papule rash from 3 to 10%
- severe - localized lesions on more than 10% of the skin.
How to cure psoriasis on the head
There are many approaches that combine pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment of psoriasis to minimize damage, improve patients' quality of life, and reduce recurrence rates.
Treatment of psoriasis depends on the extent of the skin lesions, the shape and age of the patient. If there are further pathologies of organs and systems, they are corrected. The patient was assigned a diet that restricted salt, fatty foods, and high-carbohydrate fast foods.
Medical therapy
Effective means for the treatment of systemic psoriasis are:
- desensitization (30% solution of sodium thiosulfate),
- sedatives (valerian infusion, sedatives),
- antihistamines,
- Diuretic,
- vitamins (A, B1, B12, B6, E, C),
- hepatoprotective drugs,
- fever preparations,
- immunostimulants,
In the usual acute form of psoriasis, as well as in rosacea, a short-acting corticosteroid (triamcinalone) is prescribed.
With damage to the musculoskeletal system (joints), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (sodium diclofenac, voltaren, nimesulide) are indicated.
To treat complex forms of psoriasis, cytostatics (metatrexate, azathioprine) are used.
In severe forms of psoriasis (index greater than 15 units), cytostatics, sedatives, and aromatic retinoids are added to therapy. In severe stages of scalp psoriasis, glucocorticosteroids are used.
In mild cases of psoriasis (PASI index up to 15 units), sensitizing, detoxifying and antihistamine drugs, as well as hepatoprotective drugs are used.
The use of topical therapy depends on the stage of the scaly lichen:
- progression - 1 - 2% salicylic ointment, corticosteroid cream and ointment
- stationery - 5 - 10% naftalan ointment, 3% salicylic ointment, 2-5% sulfur-tar ointment, bath with chamomile decoction
- regressive - 3-5% salicylic ointment, 10-20% naftalan ointment, 5-10% sulfur-tar ointment, psorkutan
Mercury-salicylic ointments, Psoriks lotion and shampoo, Tar balm, preparations with zinc are widely used for scalp psoriasis. In addition, an indispensable part of the treatment process is taking a warm bath every 2-3 days. In the form of winter psoriasis, therapy is based on the use of ointments in combination with ultraviolet radiation.
Non-drug treatment
The treatment of psoriasis is not solely based on medication. The use of phototherapeutic methods also contributes to the rapid recovery and initiation of the disease into remission.
The following types of radiation exposure are available:
- Photochemotherapy (PUVA therapy) is a type of phototherapy combined with the use of photosensitizers. The mechanism lies in the action of ultraviolet radiation on the surface of the skin to treat complex forms of psoriasis.
- Selective therapy is more effective in treating simple and secretory forms of psoriasis when there is a small number of rashes. The course of treatment consists of 20-30 sessions, the efficiency is 80%.
- Narrow band therapy - used in cases of superficial psoriasis, the rays do not penetrate deep into the skin ball, but only have a superficial effect. This procedure is intended to prevent the malignant degeneration of cells.
- Narrow Spectrum UVB Treatment - This type of therapy greatly reduces the appearance of side effects such as redness and burning. The course of treatment is from 20 to 30 sessions, only applied to damaged skin cases.
In addition, the positive impact comes from the spa treatment. Known healing sources are Lake Kunigunda, the Crimean coast, the Black Sea and the Dead Sea.
Experimental method
Scientists do not stop and continue to search for new ways to effectively treat psoriasis, among which the following are prominent.
Plasmapheresis
A gentle detoxification process that cleanses the plasma of pathogenic components and toxins. As a rule, after a procedure, up to 30% of the blood is excreted. This manipulation is used in cases of severe and complex psoriasis. The course of plasmaphoresis is carried out in 3-6 sessions, with a break for a week.
The mechanism of this process is as follows: some membranes filter the intercellular fluid and return it to the blood stream, while beneficial components are maximally preserved and harmful substances that cause disease are destroyed.
Cryotherapy or "cold therapy"
The cure of the disease is due to the effect of extreme low on the body. The powerful effects of cold help activate the immune system and stimulate the metabolism in general. This procedure has both complex effects on the whole body, and local effects targeting the focus of the skin lesions.
It is important to note that cryotherapy is not suitable for all patients. Due to the anatomical features of the location of the vessels, some individuals experience strong constriction, swelling, and dilation, thus disrupting blood circulation. In addition, some patients may be prone to allergic reactions such as cold urticaria.
Effects of cryotherapy:
- increase the body's defenses
- improved regeneration process
- negative symptoms disappear: itching, burning, peeling
- Improves metabolism in the skin
- prolong remission.
Immune Probiotics
These are protein-based products that have a direct effect on the immune system and prevent the occurrence of concomitant diseases. When there is a psoriasis process, the body is constantly replenished due to an excess of TNF-protein. These drugs inhibit the effect of TNF-α, as a result, the symptoms of the inflammatory process in psoriasis are alleviated.
Ozone therapy
A new effective method for the treatment of psoriasis. It is known that ozone has detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, antiplatelet, and immunomodulatory effects. The advantages of ozone therapy are that it is easy to use, has a quick effect, is reliable, and is completely free of side effects.
Features of the treatment of psoriasis in children and adolescents
It should be noted that psoriasis in children is less common than in adults. The explanations are low levels of psoriasis detection, frequent remissions, and significant periods of remission of up to 12 years.
Features of the clinical picture of psoriasis in children are frequent lesions of the skin under the hair. Girls are sick 2 times more often than boys, which is related to endocrine pathologies occurring in adolescence. Children are characterized by a clear picture of the pathological process (significant inflammation and varying degrees of itching).
In children under 10 years of age, the presentation of psoriasis symptoms is different from that of adults. Localization of the rash occurs in atypical locations such as the face, back of the head, genitals, or deep parts of the subcutaneous folds. The mechanism of disease onset is usually acute infection (flu, pneumonia), psycho-emotional stress.
In most children, the first signs of damage appear on the scalp and are accompanied by a red, scaly rash. Even in the most severe cases of scalp psoriasis, hair loss is uncommon.
Therapy for psoriasis in children is based on the use of ointments and creams; In severe illness, it will be used in combination with other drugs. This approach allows you to reduce the negative manifestation of the disease and contribute to a quick recovery.
How to treat psoriasis on the head at home
In the fight against psoriasis scalp dryness, people use a variety of foundations, lotions, herbal shampoos, water-based emulsions, which not only soothe the skin inflammation but also help alleviate the symptoms. of psoriasis.
The most common home remedies for psoriasis are creams, salicylic ointments, and topical shampoos.
Cream
Uses non-hormonal agents based on natural ingredients. The active ingredients can be very diverse, the most common being:
- zinc - quickly eliminates dryness and inflammation of the skin, has antiseptic properties, has an antibacterial effect
- vitamin D - used to treat simple forms of psoriasis, relieves unpleasant symptoms such as flaking and itching, and helps promote regeneration
- urea and naftalan - have a tonic and soothing effect on the skin
- herbal extracts - have antiseptic properties, eliminate hypersensitivity and exacerbation of the inflammatory process
- floralizin - promotes rapid recovery, relieves unpleasant manifestations of psoriasis
- urea and beeswax - suitable for sensitive skin in need of hydration and nutrition, restoring the protective barrier
Salicylic ointment in the fight against psoriasis
Salicylic acid, derived from willow bark, is the active ingredient in salicylic ointments and has anti-inflammatory and regenerating properties. The advantage of salicylic ointment over hormonal drugs is the absence of side effects.
The positive properties of salicylic ointment:
- anti-inflammatory - eliminates itching and redness
- Disinfectant action - eliminates pathogenic microorganisms
- keratoplastic effect - prevents the appearance of pyogenic foci, promotes regeneration.
- destroys keratin - sloughs off scales.
Salicylic-zinc ointment is also widely used in the treatment of psoriasis and is no less effective.
Shampoo
The following shampoos are available to treat scalp psoriasis:
- Based on birch resin. Tar helps to gently cleanse the skin of the stratum corneum, impurities, eliminates itching and burning, and has antifungal properties.
- Antifungal - the main active ingredient ketoconazole eliminates the reproduction of fungal infections and promotes wound healing on the skin.
- Includes salicylic acid, ketoconazole, zinc. This spray shampoo eliminates the inflammatory process, softens the skin and has an antiseptic effect.
- Healing. Normalizes subcutaneous fat secretion, strengthens hair, reduces inflammation.
You also need to remember that when washing your hair when you have psoriasis, you should only use warm water, not hot water. The use of hair dryers, curling irons and irons should be minimized.
Treatment of psoriasis with folk methods
Creams with extracts of celandine, aloe, chamomile, and apple cider vinegar are great for treating psoriasis. A bandage moistened with the solution is applied to the lesion. This procedure reduces inflammation, kills pathogens and improves skin metabolism.
Equally effective are mud and kefir masks, which also work as part of traditional medicine. Such masks add moisture to the hair, have an anti-inflammatory effect, improve blood circulation in the scalp.
Which product is better?
To treat scalp psoriasis, it's better to use mild, fragrance-free products. Regular cleansing and moisturizing are the basis for proper hair and skin care for psoriasis. It is important that the products used help to normalize the balance of nutrients, restore the affected skin areas, maintain the pH of the scalp and moisturize the stratum corneum of the epidermis.
All these effects and even more are characteristic of products from the Fitomarket online store. Here, you can not only choose the most suitable high-quality scalp care methods and methods, but also be advised on the right medicine for you.
Frequently asked questions
Can psoriasis be cured with zinc ointment?
Zinc ointment has an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, enveloping effect, promotes the formation of a protective layer on the surface of the skin. If you lubricate the affected areas daily with zinc ointment, the positive effect will come quickly, but this remedy is unlikely to completely cure psoriasis, since the treatment mustcomplex.
Can you cure scalp psoriasis with hydrogen peroxide?
Hydrogen peroxide, by releasing active oxygen, performs mechanical cleansing and removal of harmful substances on damaged skin, but, as in the case of zinc ointments, it will not have a curative effect on psoriasis. Start with just this component.
Is psoriasis contagious?
Psoriasis is not contagious, due to its non-infectious nature, avoiding contact and communicating with people with this disease is not worth it.
Is scalp psoriasis dangerous?
If left untreated, psoriasis can lead to serious complications and even death. Do not forget that psoriatic lesions can spread to the deep layers of the skin, as well as to other organs and systems of the body (nails, cardiovascular system, musculoskeletal system, etc. ).
How to distinguish psoriasis from dermatitis?
It is known that seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp never affects the smooth skin and is characterized by the absence of an infiltrating process, in contrast to seborrheic psoriasis, which forms "psoriasis", move to the smooth skin of the forehead and neck. . Also worth noting is the genetic factor in the occurrence of psoriasis.