The first manifestations of psoriasis often appear on the head, then spread throughout the body. Psoriasis on the head appears with itching and risk of bacterial complications. If you suspect the psoriatic nature of the rash, you should immediately consult a doctor - the disease responds well to treatment from the beginning. 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 individuals with hereditary predisposition. The causes of psoriasis on the head and the mechanism of its development are not fully understood. But it has been proven that the process takes place 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, manifested in the form of peeling, appear just as quickly. At the same time, inflammatory processes develop in 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. Specific altered regions, linked to different genes, found in patients and their close relatives, have already been created.
But a person who has a genetic predisposition does not necessarily get sick. Equally important are external and internal predisposing factors. Psoriasis of the head begins in individuals with a genetic predisposition due to exposure to the following factors:
- mechanical skin irritation (with a hard-toothed hairbrush; injury to small wounds and scabs appearing with seborrhea, etc. );
- exposure to cold;
- transferred infectious diseases; often after streptococcal impetigo - purulent rash mainly on the skin of the face; develops in children and becomes a stimulus for the development of an autoimmune process;
- chronic stress and high loads;
- frequent smoking, alcohol abuse;
- diet disorders - irregular malnutrition dry food, excessive consumption of high-calorie foods and hot spices;
- with hormonal disorders that affect the condition of the sebaceous glands of the skin - obesity, sex hormone imbalance, 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 they are excreted from the body through the kidneys; intoxication can 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 broken. 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 skin sensitivity to any external influences (except frequent combing or coloring of hair). In response to such influences, antibodies are produced in their cells, provoking the emergence of an autoimmune inflammatory process. The reasons why inflammation starts are not yet fully understood. This is one of the priorities of medicine in terms of treating psoriasis.
Symptoms of scalp psoriasis
Psoriasis of the head appears in the form of characteristic symptoms. The disease can start acutely with multiple rashes (vulgar form of psoriasis) or gradually with itching and inflammation of the skin and only then the characteristic rashes appear (seborrheic form).
The most common onset is gradual, in the form of dandruff and dandruff. In the early stages, these are small areas in the occupational 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 picture look like this:
In the area of scratches and abrasions, redness appears first and then small inflammatory nodules and papules, surrounded by a bright edge that rises above the surface of the skin. Accompanied by severe itching, the rashes increase in size and merge with each other. The characteristics of rashes are:
- White "nuts" covering the papules; when scratched, it resembles a stearin speci; in the seborrheic form the scales are yellow in color and the stearin stain phenomenon is not so pronounced;
- if you scratch all the "chips", a smooth translucent surface opens up;
- further itching leads to the appearance of drops of blood on the surface - "blood dew".
In the picture, three signs look like this:
These three characteristic manifestations distinguish scalp psoriasis from seborrheic dermatitis, with which it is easily confused. In the future, papules coalesce and form psoriatic plaques, which have a different configuration and sometimes spread all over the surface of the head.
The course of scalp psoriasis can be mild with the appearance of single rashes in the initial stage. These rashes then go through all three stages of development. In severe form, the rash occupies the entire important area and spreads to the face and neck in the form of a crown - an inflammatory edge covered with silver scales. Hair roots do not suffer, but a bacterial, fungal or mixed infection often joins the psoriatic process, which leads to complications that are not so easy to cure. Here is what the crown looks like:
Stages of psoriasis on the head
The disease persists for a long time, exacerbations are replaced by remission. The frequency of irritations and the severity of symptoms depend on the presence of provocative factors.
Progressive phase
Redness and inflammation spread, accompanied by intense itching. In the initial stage, there is a symptom of Koebner - the appearance of psoriatic rashes at the site of scratches and abrasions.
stationary
The process is in the same state, it does not spread, but neither does it fade.
Regressive
The process gradually subsides, the itching disappears, the redness fades, the inflammatory infiltrate diminishes, gradually taking on the appearance of a stain; the color of the blush fades, starting from the center, forming ring-shaped figures with a brighter border. Sometimes they begin to fade from the periphery to the center and then take the form of white rings (symptom of psoriasis on the head is Voronov 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
Psoriasis of the head requires systematic treatment under the supervision of a physician. Of crucial importance is a 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 treatment, as well as oriental methods proven for centuries. Such treatment can immediately significantly improve the patient's condition and lead to the development of a lasting remission within a few weeks.
PRP - therapy - the method is based on the ability of platelets (red platelets) to secrete a growth factor that stimulates the regenerative abilities of cells. By centrifugation, the patient's blood is enriched with platelets and then injected in the direction of the point on the scalp. The technique can significantly speed up the onset of remission and prevent the development of relapses.
Autohemotherapy - treatment is performed by intramuscular injection of a small amount of blood taken from the patient's vein. This has a general stimulating effect, restores the epithelium of the head. After treatment, a lasting remission is observed.
Reflexology is the impact in different ways on specific points of the body, reflexively connected to organs and tissues. One of the oldest and most effective traditional methods of treatment. The impact on the spots can be performed with acupuncture (acupuncture), cauterization, massage, etc. Treatment of psoriasis of the head with these methods has been practiced in oriental medicine for thousands of years. Treatments are performed by a reflexologist.
Vacuum therapy - the effect of sparse air on biologically active points - is one of the methods of reflexology. Can be carried out using cans or special equipment. Promotes rapid recovery of altered tissue. 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 complex treatment, they are very effective both in the initial stages of the disease and in its long-term forms. If you add phytotherapy, the effectiveness of other methods of treatment increases, the risk of developing side effects of the drug decreases.
Treatment of scalp psoriasis 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 medical treatment in combination with traditional Eastern methods that have been used successfully by physicians 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 range of methods with an individual approach to each patient. Some complexes of traditional methods in combination 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 receiving regular supportive treatment, but also by colleagues from other Moscow clinics.
Prevention of psoriasis on the head
Prevention of psoriasis on the head is especially necessary for people with an inherited predisposition who have sick relatives. It includes eliminating the impact of the following factors:
- any prolonged exposure to the skin;
- malnutrition and sedentary lifestyle;
- prolonged stress and heavy loads;
- smoking and alcohol abuse;
- hormonal disorders - if you suspect such disorders, you should immediately contact an endocrinologist;
- intoxication - in time to treat all chronic diseases that contribute to impaired metabolism and immunity.
A dermatologist can show you how to cure psoriasis on the head after an 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 an excellent opportunity to get rid of relapses for a long time.
Diet for scalp psoriasis?
There is no specific diet, but the treatment of scalp psoriasis includes 4 proper meals a day that contain all the necessary ingredients for the body in the diet. Foods that irritate the skin should not be present on the table:
- spicy, salty, sour;
- fruits rich in essential oils (garlic and fresh onions, radish);
- fried, smoked, canned foods;
- caffeinated beverages - strong tea, coffee, coca-cola, etc. ;
- Alcoholic beverages - they contribute to the development of relapses of the disease.
It has been proven that eating meat provokes a deterioration, so the diet should contain more foods that contain complex carbohydrates, lean meat, cottage cheese, yogurt, etc.
Medication therapy for scalp psoriasis?
Medications are selected according to the patient's condition and the presence of certain symptoms of the disease. In the initial stage of psoriasis of the head, the following external agents are used:
- when wet, solutions and creams are prescribed that eliminate these symptoms and prevent bacterial and fungal infections;
- if the skin is dry, then it is treated with ointments; oil with salicylic acid - has a soothing effect; tar ointments have the same effect; zinc ointments and an analogue of vitamin D3 + glucocorticoid betamethasone help a lot - 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 relieve inflammation, soften crusts; zinc shampoo has an antiseptic and soothing effect, relieves inflammation; shampoos have been used for a long time.
Folk remedies for psoriasis of the head?
Is it possible to treat scalp psoriasis with folk remedies? Most specialists use folk remedies for the symptomatic treatment (elimination of certain symptoms) of this disease. But you should 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 by folk remedies; dermatologists prescribe complex therapies in combination with traditional medicine.