Psoriasis in hair can be an irritating and concerning condition. Also referred to as scalp psoriasis it can occur either across the entire head or in just parts. It can cause thick scales and sore, flaky patches of skin – some find this to be extremely itchy while others experience no side effects aside from its existence.
The causes of psoriasis in the hair are a result of a malfunctioning of the immune system and are a direct result of the increased rate of skin cell growth – these skin cells form in a matter of days as opposed to weeks and don’t shed these as quickly. Therefore, they pile up on the skin and cause the patches of itchy rash that psoriasis sufferers can experience.
Can Psoriasis Cause Hair Loss?
One of the most common questions asked about psoriasis is ‘can psoriasis cause hair loss?’. While there are some beliefs that psoriasis can cause hair loss due to the correlation between having psoriasis and some potential loss of hair, it is not a direct cause.
Often the scratching and pulling out of the scales can lead to accidentally pulling out hair and damaging the scalp which is what can lead to hair loss. So, if you’re questioning ‘does psoriasis cause hair loss’ – the answer is no – but there are some ways that you can reduce the possibility.
How To Treat Psoriasis Hair Loss
While the answer to the question can psoriasis cause hair loss is no, scalp damage and hair loss that follows psoriasis in hair can be treated. Hair will typically tend to regrow in areas once psoriasis is treated, however, if you are struggling with psoriasis hair loss, then there are a few things that you can do.
- Make sure that any removal of the scales is done gently to prevent further psoriasis hair loss. Brush your hair gently as opposed to forcefully can help to protect the hair and avoid picking at the scales as this could cause the rashes to flare.
- Use treatments to help with psoriasis hair loss such as medicated shampoos – these will treat psoriasis directly allowing your hair to regrow.
- Avoid scratching your scalp, or if you’re doing this regularly then make sure to keep your fingernails short and smooth to prevent damage to the scalp or loosening of the hair.
- Keep your scalp from drying out too much, which could lead to a flare-up, by alternating your medical shampoos, avoiding heat such as blow drying, straighteners or curling and letting your hair air dry when wet.
If any of the above is not helping to prevent psoriasis hair loss, then it may be that your hair loss is being caused by something underlying. Speak to a GP or dermatologist for help understanding what is causing your hair loss.
How To Treat Psoriasis In Hair
There are several ways to treat psoriasis in hair and some may require a GP’s or dermatologist’s assistance.
The most commonly prescribed treatment for psoriasis in hair and across other areas of the body is corticosteroids. This will likely need to be prescribed by a GP and is the favoured treatment for both adults and children.
Corticosteroids can be helpful in quickly reducing redness, and swelling, as well as directly tackling the itchiness and scales caused by psoriasis in hair. However, long-term use of this is not recommended as there could be other side effects and therefore it is often prescribed alongside other treatments such as medical shampoos.
Medical shampoos are a popular choice for those suffering from psoriasis, and these will usually contain clobetasol propionate. This shampoo can be every day for a period of up to four weeks and can then be used less frequently to maintain the results experienced.
This should help to clear up psoriasis in hair. It is important that when applying the shampoo however that you should be gentle, as irritating it by scratching, rubbing, or scrubbing could worsen psoriasis. For those with thick and stubborn patches, a scale softener containing ingredients such as salicylic acid could help. Similar products are often used to treat itching after a hair transplant.
Psoriasis in hair can be a difficult condition to handle but should not cause permanent hair loss – any further hair loss after psoriasis is treated is likely caused by an underlying condition. If you are struggling with hair loss and are looking for a hair transplant in Turkey, then speak with one of our experts today.