Psoriasis Hair loss: causes and treatment

Psoriasis is a chronic (long-term) inflammatory skin disease that may affect any a part of the body, including the scalp. Scalp psoriasis could cause dryness, red patches, bleeding and scaling that resembles dandruff. Hair loss might also occur.

Hair loss attributable to psoriasis is generally temporary. In rare cases, cicatricial alopecia may develop, which can end in everlasting hair loss and scarring.

If you’re losing hair, you could notice that your hair is step by step thinning. Your hair may not look full and you could have a spreading a part of your hair or bald patches.

You’ll probably also see other symptoms of scalp psoriasis, akin to:

• Reddish spots
• Dry scalp
• Bleeding
• Burning sensation of the scalp
• Itch
• Flakes resembling dandruff
• Silvery white scales

Psoriasis causes inflammation that may damage the hair follicles on the scalp, which might result in temporary hair loss.

Research shows that scalp psoriasis can affect interfollicular epithelium (skin situated between the openings of hair follicles) and results in perifollicular inflammation, i.e. inflammation of the tissues surrounding the hair follicles.

The inflammation attributable to scalp psoriasis may result in hair loss by shrinking the sebaceous glands (which produce and secrete an oily substance called sebum) and disrupting the hair growth cycle through increased hair loss.

In rare cases, individuals with severe scalp psoriasis may develop cicatricial alopecia, which causes everlasting hair loss. An individual may develop cicatricial alopecia as a result of persistent scratching, secondary infection, or failure to treat other symptoms of psoriasis akin to inflammation, which might cause irreversible damage to the scalp and hair growth cycle.

If you experience hair loss or painful or uncomfortable symptoms, see your doctor for scalp psoriasis. It can be essential to hunt treatment if hair loss or other symptoms akin to scales and scales are affecting your self-esteem or interfering together with your ability to enjoy on a regular basis life.

A dermatologist (a physician specializing in diseases of the skin, hair and nails) can diagnose and treat scalp psoriasis.

There are some ways to treat hair loss attributable to psoriasis. The major reason for hair loss is psoriasis, so treatments that alleviate the symptoms of psoriasis also needs to help with hair loss.

Treatment options include topical medications (applied to the skin), oral medications (taken by mouth), and in-office treatments. Your doctor will prescribe the suitable medicine depending on the severity of your symptoms.

If hair loss persists after treatment, consult with your doctor about other treatment options or whether one other condition could also be causing it.

Topical medications

Scalp psoriasis medications applied on to the skin may include:

• Topical corticosteroids: Corticosteroids treat inflammation. Your doctor may prescribe topical corticosteroid medications to scale back scales, redness, swelling, and itching. Long-term use of corticosteroids will not be beneficial, so your doctor may prescribe one other treatment alongside corticosteroids to assist reduce possible unintended effects akin to itching, rash, skin thinning, and burning.
• Medicated shampoos: Psoriasis shampoos containing clobetasol propionate (a steroid) will be safely used day by day for as much as 4 weeks and then a few times every week to keep up results. If symptoms persist, your doctor may prescribe something else. Side effects may include burning, itching, redness and dry skin. Your doctor might also recommend over-the-counter shampoos containing coal tar, a thick black liquid constituted of coal.
• Calcitrene (calcipotriene): The treatment involves applying an artificial type of vitamin D on to the scalp at night. It helps treat thicker patches of psoriasis and is usually prescribed as a mixture medicine containing calcipotriene and a corticosteroid. Possible unintended effects include itching, redness, burning and worsening of psoriasis symptoms.

Oral medications

Medicines taken by mouth that your doctor may prescribe include:

• Soriatan (acitretin): This oral retinoid treats severe psoriasis by slowing down rapidly growing skin cells and reducing swelling and redness. Possible mild unintended effects include hair loss, chapped lips, and increased sensitivity to light. Acitretin will not be beneficial to be used in people who find themselves pregnant, planning to turn into pregnant, or have liver disease because it might cause potential birth defects, liver damage, and inflammation (hepatitis).
• Trexall (methotrexate): An overactive immune system results in psoriasis, so your doctor may prescribe methotrexate, which inhibits the overactive immune system. Methotrexate is usually prescribed for more severe cases of psoriasis, especially if other treatments haven’t been effective. Side effects may include nausea and vomiting.
• Biology: Biologics are powerful drugs derived from plants or animals and their cells. They will be administered orally or by injection. Biologic drugs slow or stop inflammation and goal the overactive a part of the immune system that causes psoriasis. Possible unintended effects include upper respiratory tract infection, flu-like symptoms, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and headaches.

Treatments within the office

Some people may require in-office treatment if scalp psoriasis doesn’t improve with topical treatment or if thick scales appear on the scalp. Treatments within the office include:

• Corticosteroid injections: The dermatologist injects a corticosteroid directly into the psoriasis areas of the scalp. This treatment method involves several sessions and will not be effective for long-term use.
• Laser treatment: The dermatologist performs this treatment using an excimer laser, which delivers high-intensity ultraviolet B (UVB) light to the areas affected by psoriasis. Excimer laser treatment can reduce inflammation and speed healing. It is handiest if performed 2-3 times every week for several weeks. Although the procedure is generally painless, potential unintended effects may include pain and redness much like sunburn.
• Phototherapy (light therapy): It uses UVB light to treat psoriasis throughout the body, including the scalp. During the treatment, you possibly can either stand in a lit room that simulates natural light, or the dermatologist shines UVB light directly over your body. Phototherapy is a very good option for youngsters and people who find themselves pregnant or have a weakened immune system. Possible unintended effects of this treatment include skin redness or tenderness, stinging, burning, dark spots, itching and, in rare cases, blisters or burns.

Psoriasis is a chronic condition that may worsen even with treatment, but you possibly can reduce the danger of hair loss attributable to scalp psoriasis.

You can reduce your risk of psoriasis-related hair loss if you happen to:

• Loosen and remove any scales by gently brushing your hair
• Keep your nails short and avoid picking on the cuticles together with your fingers
• Use a medicated shampoo and alternate washes with a mild non-medicated shampoo; some medicated shampoos can dry out your hair, increasing the danger of breakage
• Condition your hair after shampooing to forestall your scalp and hair from drying out
• Air dry your hair; A hair dryer can worsen dry scalp
• Patch tested hair care and styling products; If the product causes irritation or redness after just a few hours, stop using it and try one other product

Scalp psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that could cause hair loss. Other symptoms include dry scalp, red spots, itching and bleeding.

Although hair loss from psoriasis is generally temporary, it will possibly sometimes cause scarring alopecia. It is vital to see a physician for treatment of scalp psoriasis to enhance symptoms and minimize hair loss.