The initial manifestations of psoriasis usually appear on the head, then spread to the whole body. Psoriasis on the head is accompanied by itching and the risk of bacterial complications. If you suspect the psoriatic nature of the rash, you should immediately consult a doctor - the disease responds well to initial treatment. The article contains all the information about the symptoms and all the known treatments for this form of the disease.
Causes of psoriasis on the head
This is a chronic non-contagious dermatological process that develops in people with a genetic predisposition. The causes of psoriasis on the head and the mechanism of its development are not fully understood. But it has been established that the development process is based on the background of metabolic and immunological disorders. The body loses control over the division of skin epithelial cells: they begin to divide much faster. Just as quickly, signs of keratinization appear, which manifest in the form of flaking. At the same time, inflammatory processes develop on the skin.
The main cause of scalp psoriasisis a genetic predisposition. Scientists are trying to identify the genes responsible for transmitting diseases from generation to generation. Distinct regions of change have been established, involving different genes, found in patients and their relatives.
But a person with a genetic predisposition does not necessarily have the disease. No less important are the external and internal predisposition factors. Scalp psoriasis begins in people with a genetic predisposition to exposure to the following factors:
- mechanical irritation of the skin (with hairbrushes with hard teeth; trauma to small wounds and seborrheic crusts, etc. );
- exposure to cold;
- transfer of infectious diseases; often after streptococcal impetigo - a purulent rash mainly on the skin of the face; develops in children and becomes the impetus for the development of autoimmune processes;
- chronic stress and high loads;
- frequent smoking, alcohol abuse;
- dietary disorders - irregular nutritional deficiencies, excessive consumption of high-calorie foods and hot spices;
- with hormonal disorders that affect the state 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 a deterioration in the function of these organs; toxins are neutralized in the liver, and they are eliminated from the body by the kidneys; Intoxication can become the starting point in the development of disease.
Under the influence of one or more factors, the organism's interaction with the environment is disrupted. The metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates is disturbed, which causes skin metabolism and peeling.
Psoriasis of any origin can spread throughout the body, so don't delay treatment.
Changes in the immune system are manifested in the form of increased sensitivity of the skin to any external influences (other than regular brushing or dyeing). To cope with such influences, antibodies are produced to their own cells, which provoke the emergence of an autoimmune inflammatory process. The reasons why inflammation starts are still not fully understood. This is one of the priorities of medicine in the treatment of psoriasis.
Symptoms of Scalp Psoriasis
Psoriasis on the head manifests itself in the form of characteristic symptoms. The disease may begin acutely with multiple rashes (rough psoriatic form) or gradually with itching and flaking of the skin, and only then do characteristic rashes appear (seborrhea).
Onset more often gradually, in the form of dandruff and flaking. In the early stages, these are small areas in the occipital region. The flaking spreads to larger areas and begins to itch. Constant scratching contributes to roughness and the appearance of scratches. What does scalp psoriasis look like? The early symptoms of psoriasis on the head in the photo look like this:
In the area of abrasions and abrasions, redness first appears, followed by small inflammatory papules and papules, surrounded by a bright rim that protrudes above the surface of the skin. Accompanied by intense itching, the rash increases in size and fuses together. The characteristics of the rash are:
- white "chips" cover the papules; when shaved, it resembles a stearin spot; in the form of peas, the exudate is yellowish in color and stearin spots are not obvious;
- if you scrape off the "shavings", a smooth matte surface will open;
- continued scraping leads to the appearance of blood droplets on the surface - "blood mist".
In the photo, the three signs look like this:
These three characteristic manifestations help distinguish scalp psoriasis from seborrheic dermatitis, which is easy to confuse. In the future, the papules merge and form psoriatic plaques, which have a different configuration and sometimes extend to the entire surface of the head.
The course of scalp psoriasis can be mild with the appearance of single rashes in the early stages. These rashes then go through all three stages of development. In severe form, the rash covers a significant area and spreads to the face and neck in the form of a crown - an inflamed ring covered with silvery scales. The hair roots are not damaged, but bacterial, fungal, or mixed infections are often involved in the psoriasis process, leading to complications that are not easily treatable. This is what the crown looks like:
Stages of psoriasis on the head
The disease progresses for a long time, exacerbations are replaced by episodes of remission. The frequency of exacerbations and the severity of symptoms depend on the presence of triggers.
Progression stage
The rash and inflammation are widespread, accompanied by intense itching. In the early stages, there is a Koebner symptom - the appearance of a psoriatic rash at the site of scratches and abrasions.
Freeze
The process is in a similar state, not spreading, but also not fading.
Regressive
The process subsides, the itching disappears, the rash turns pale, the inflammatory infiltrates subside, gradually there is the appearance of a spot; The color of the rash turns pale, starting from the center, forming circles with lighter borders. They sometimes begin to pale from the periphery to the center and then take the form of white rings (a symptom of psoriasis of the head is Voronov pseudocyst). The healing phase can take quite a while and eventually only white spots of discolouration remain on the skin.
Methods to treat psoriasis on the head
Scalp psoriasis requires systematic treatment under the supervision of a physician. What matters is a mobile lifestyle, quitting smoking and alcohol, diet. It is necessary to treat the disease in a complex way, applying techniques that take into account the characteristics of the patient's body. Complex therapy can include modern European methods, drug therapy, as well as centuries-old methods of oriental medicine. Such treatment can immediately significantly improve the patient's condition and lead to the development of the disease in stable remission within a few weeks.
PRP - therapy - method based on the ability of platelets (red blood cells) to secrete a growth factor to stimulate the cell's ability to regenerate. By centrifugation, the patient's blood is platelet-enriched and then injected needles into the scalp. This technique can significantly accelerate the onset of disease in remission and prevent the development of relapses.
Autotherapy - treatment done by intramuscularly injecting a small amount of blood taken from the patient's vein. This has a general stimulating effect, restoring the epithelium of the glans. After treatment, stable remission was observed.
Acupressure is acting in different ways on specific points on the body, involving organs and tissues in a reflexive manner. One of the traditional and effective folk healing methods. Impact on acupuncture points can be done by acupuncture (acupuncture), acupuncture, massage, etc. v. Treatment of psoriasis on the head with these methods has been applied in oriental medicine for thousands of years. The treatments are performed by a reflexologist.
Vacuum therapy - the effect of rare air on biologically active points - is one of the methods of acupressure. It can be done using cans or special equipment. Promotes rapid recovery of altered tissues. As a result of using vacuum therapy, the affected areas are significantly reduced.
Phytotherapy - dermatologists widely use medicinal plants in their practice in the form of infusions, decoctions and ready-made pharmaceutical forms. When used correctly as part of a complex treatment, they are very effective in both the early stages of the disease and the long-term forms of the disease. If you add phytotherapy, the effectiveness of other treatments is increased, the risk of developing unwanted drug effects is reduced.
Treatment of psoriasis on the head in the clinic
In the specialist clinic, the disease is treated by dermatologists who are well trained and clinically experienced in treating the disease using all known methods. In their work, they use new Western healing methods combined with traditional Eastern methods that have been used by doctors of ancient China and Tibet for thousands of years.
To avoid recurrence, it is necessary to eliminate the cause of the disease.
Professional clinics use a variety of methods with an individualized approach to each patient. Some complex of traditional methods combined with drug treatment can permanently save the patient from scalp problems.
The effectiveness of treatment in the clinic is noted in their comments and reviews not only by patients who regularly receive treatment support, but also by colleagues from other Moscow clinics.
Prevention of psoriasis on the head
Prevention of psoriasis on the head is especially important for people with a genetic predisposition to have a family member with the disease. It includes eliminating the impact of the following factors:
- any prolonged contact with the skin;
- malnutrition and sedentary lifestyle;
- prolonged stress and heavy lifting;
- smoking and alcohol abuse;
- hormonal disorders - if such disorders are suspected, you should immediately contact an endocrinologist;
- intoxication - promptly treat all chronic diseases that contribute to a decline in metabolism and immunity.
Your dermatologist can tell you how to treat psoriasis on the head after an examination. Therefore, you should not delay in consulting a specialist, because the early stages of the disease are much easier to treat. Can we cure this process? The disease cannot be completely cured, but if the patient is treated regularly, there is a great chance to get rid of the relapses in the long run.
Diet for psoriasis on the head?
There is no special diet, but scalp psoriasis treatment includes 4 reasonable meals a day that contain all the ingredients needed by the body in the diet. Foods that cause skin irritation should not be on the table:
- spicy, salty, sour;
- essential oils (fresh onions and garlic, radishes);
- fried, smoked, canned foods;
- caffeinated beverages - strong tea, coffee, coca-cola, etc. v. ;
- alcoholic beverages - they contribute to the development of recurrent episodes of the disease.
It has been proven that meat foods cause flare-ups, so the diet should be rich in complex carbohydrates, lean meats, cheeses, yogurt, etc. v.
Drug treatment for scalp psoriasis?
The drug is selected 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 agents are used:
- when wet, solutions and creams are prescribed to eliminate these symptoms and prevent bacterial and fungal infections;
- if the skin is dry, then it is treated with ointments; ointment with salicylic acid - has an emollient effect; ointments with tar have a similar effect; ointment with zinc and an analogue of vitamin D3 + glucocorticoid betamethasone helps a lot - it helps to quickly eliminate the symptoms of psoriasis;
- Ointments and creams with corticosteroids are prescribed in the treatment of common forms of psoriasis of the head;
- widely used shampoo; so, tar shampoo reduces inflammation, softens scabs; shampoos with zinc have the effect of disinfecting and softening the skin, reducing inflammation; Shampoo has been used for a long time.
Folk remedies for psoriasis on the head?
Can scalp psoriasis be treated with folk remedies? Most specialists use folk remedies for symptomatic treatment (elimination of some symptoms) of this disease. But you need to be clear that:
- need to treat the disease with folk remedies as recommended by a dermatologist;
- it is impossible to cure the disease alone by folk remedies; Dermatologists prescribe complex therapy in combination with traditional medicine.