According to medical statistics, psoriasis of the head is the most common localization of the disease: according to various sources, this form accounts for 60 to 80% of cases. Often occurs at a young age, is not at all contagious, cannot be cured to the end, flows in waves, with alternating periods of remission and relapse.
What is scalp psoriasis
Psoriasis (scaly lichen) on the head is a non -infectious chronic dermatological pathology, characterized by skin manifestations localized in the scalp area.
Sometimes the joints are involved in this process, the disease is complicated by psoriatic arthritis, which often leads to deformities.
Uncomplicated psoriasis of the head does not pose a serious threat to life and health, but the psychological complexes that cause social isolation can be the result of obvious cosmetic defects.
What causes disease in adults and children: causes and risk factors
There is still no scientific research to determine the cause of psoriasis.
There are several theories of its origin: autoimmune, genetic, disturbed metabolism, and others.
Proponents of all these theories identify risk factors for the development of this disease.
Let's take a closer look:
- Exogenous- factors that affect the body from the outside, the recurrence of the disease is considered to be a consequence of existing conditions and lifestyle: injuries to the scalp; stressful or depressive conditions; hazardous production conditions; addictive addiction; hypodynamia; uncontrolled intake of certain medications-oral contraceptives, anticonvulsants, etc . ; overeating or prolonged adherence to a mono diet; the use of substandard skin care products.
- Endogenous factors- individual characteristics of an organism, its internal environment: genetic predisposition; previous infectious diseases; systemic pathology; focus of inactive infection found in the body - karious teeth, sinusitis; hormonal disorders - puberty, pregnancy, menopause; overweight or underweight.
In children, severe fears and stressful situations tend to lead to illness - the beginning of schooling in kindergarten, school, exams, performances, etc.
Severe infections, liver pathology, skin injuries, dysbiosis play an important role.
Symptoms and signs of disease onset, depending on its form
Scalp psoriasis begins with the appearance of small pink papules on the skin, which over time turn into one of the three forms of the disease.
Plaque
The elements of the plaque look like redness, lifted above the surface of the skin, the focus of inflammation, covered with small scales of whiteness.
Teardrop
A small, round spread of pink or purple protruding on the skin with almost invisible scales. They are not susceptible to germination and fusion. Often it is the result of a streptococcal infection.
Pustular
Often limited to the occiput area: pustules form on hot edemous skin, hyperemic - inflamed vesicles with transparent exudates. When an infection is introduced, the contents of the vesicles become better.
Like what papules on hair
Manifestations of mild psoriasis of the head are limited to the punctate papular element, not accompanied by discomfort.
Over time, exfoliation appears in limited areas.
Scales accumulate between the hair roots, causing itching, irritation of the skin, resulting in the formation of scratches and abrasions.
Then, on dry, inelastic, rough skin, large hyperemic convex islands are formed - scaly psoriatic plaques.
Growing and merging with each other, plaques extend beyond the limits of hair growth: on the forehead, temples, areas above and behind the ears, at the back of the neck, forming a special psoriatic crown.
The psoriasis elements of plaques and tear drops have three specific characteristics:
- stearin spot symptoms - if you scrape the surface of the papules, intense exfoliation begins, they will acquire a special whitish color;
- the presence of a terminal film - a purple, thin and shiny layer of skin exposed under the scales;
- capillary bleeding, blood dew - by further scraping, small droplets of blood appear on the terminal film.
The characteristic group of skin elements is called the psoriatic triad.
Diagnostic Methods
Primary diagnosis is based on data from anamnesis, interviews and external examinations. Confirmation of the diagnosis is the presence of a triad of symptoms typical of psoriasis; in some cases, skin scale histology is performed.
Laboratory tests - analysis of blood, urine, etc. - used as an additional method to determine the provoking factors.
How and how to treat scalp psoriasis
The lack of accurate data on the source of psoriasis excludes the possibility of etiotropic therapy.
Ointment
Non -hormonal ointment reduces itching and flaking, relieves inflammation:
- Salicylic acid products.
- Solid oil based products.
- Salap tar.
- Zinc Ointment.
- Vitamin D products are very effective.
Medicine
Success in treating disease depends on an integrated approach, the use of various methods and periodic correction of the scheme. The treatment plan for scalp psoriasis includes several groups of medications.
- Glucocorticosteroid ointments and creams
- Emergency medicine
- The group of booster drugs is
The dose and course of therapy are determined by the attending physician, taking into account the characteristics of the organism and the severity of the course of the disease.
What shampoos and lotions help eliminate pathology
Healing and prophylactic shampoos based on active ingredients that act on the skin have proven themselves well:
- tar;
- naphthalane, urea and salicylic acid;
- antifungal compounds.
The results of using the shampoo were assessed after a few weeks, during which time the skin condition was monitored.
Before use, be sure to read the usage instructions.
Modern physiotherapy procedures dreaded by this disease
Physiotherapy procedures are indicated outside the exacerbation of the disease: at stationary, regressive and during the remission period
- Phototherapy- treatment with ultraviolet waves of various lengths: selective or narrow waves; photocotherapy - skin irradiation in which photosensitive substances (psoralens) are used.
- Cryotherapy- targeted local action with a stream of liquid nitrogen directly on the affected skin. Accelerates the course of the stage of psoriasis of the scalp, prolongs the period of remission.
- Peeling- needed to remove the scale layer and give access to antipsoriatic drugs to the skin surface: traditional dermatologists recommend products based on salicylic acid - it does not scrape the keratin epithelium, but dissolves it; from the salon procedure it is possible to use exfoliation with enzymes and exotic fish.
- Laser therapy- a smooth natural surface on the damaged area using an erbium laser. This is an effective cosmetic procedure that allows you to extend the remission period.
Dermatologists and physiotherapists choose the method of action based on the patient's characteristics and the course of the disease.
How to overcome the disease with a therapeutic diet
Eat for psoriasis in small meals 4-6 times a day. Products are boiled or burned without oil.
Not used:
- fatty foods - fried, smoked;
- sweets - baked goods, sugar, chocolate;
- salty, spicy, spicy - pickles, preservatives;
- citrus;
- tomatoes, eggplant;
- strawberries;
- copy.
The daily diet of psoriasis sufferers consists of:
- fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs;
- lean meats, fish, lactic acid products, whole sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, flax;
- cereal crops: rice, buckwheat, pearl barley, barley wheat, millet.
Exclude products that contain artificial additives: preservatives, emulsifiers, dyes, enhancers, stabilizers.
Moisturizer and body skin care
The skin of psoriasis patients needs special care:
- water must be warm, but not hot;
- don't wipe, just dirt with a clean towel;
- wash with recommended products;
- combs hair gently, avoiding damage to plaque;
- gives preference to combs made from natural materials;
- do not use a hair dryer, curling iron or iron.
Moisturizing the scalp is achieved by using essential oils, herbal infusions and extracts.
Effective use of folk remedies in combating this disease
Traditional healing recipes serve as an effective adjunct in the treatment of psoriasis.
- Birch tar- prevents cell division, relieves inflammation and itching. Applied in the form of: compresses - 10 g of crushed tar soap combined with 20 ml of warm water until a stable foam. Apply for a quarter of an hour, then rinse and rinse with chamomile infusion; ointment - 50 ml of tar and castor oil mixed with one hundred grams of honey and two chicken egg proteins, insist in the refrigerator for three days. The plaque is crushed overnight with a thin layer. This course is 1 month.
- Apple cider vinegar- for chemical exfoliation with fruit acid and relieving itching, it is used as a tool to treat plaque on the scalp: one glass of water and a quarter of a glass of vinegar are shaken, poured into a spray bottle. Channel the psoriasis focus once a day.
- Sea salt- used for mechanical exfoliation: mixed with essential oils and gently treated with the affected area once a day; gentle way - compress gauze fifteen minutes.
- Baking soda- forms an alkaline medium on the surface of the skin: for cleansing - 2 teaspoons of soda stirred in a glass of warm water, the solution is applied to the scalp for 4-5 minutes; ointment - soda and peach or olive oil mixed until a homogeneous paste, twice a week applied on the scalp under a plastic cover, possibly at night; use while shampooing - add a teaspoon of soda to the amount of shampoo measured in the palm of your hand, then wash as usual.
- Three percent hydrogen peroxide- used in the form of: lotion - 2-3 teaspoons of peroxide per 50 ml of water, hold for 60-90 minutes; to treat plaque - with an undiluted solution, before applying a cream or ointment.
- Onions- peel, cut mashed potatoes, place in several layers of gauze and rub the resulting mass onto the scalp. Then they are wrapped in polyethylene, wearing an insulating cover. Keep the compress for an hour. To remove the odor, after washing, rinse with water, in which a few drops of essential oil have been stirred.
- Celandine- used in the form of: grape mixture - 300 g of fresh grass crushed in a meat grinder, add 30 ml of dry red wine, mix. Apply on the wound for a quarter of an hour, after which it is washed off; alcohol tincture - a quarter glass of dried celandine poured half a liter of medical alcohol, insist for several hours. The plaque is smeared.
- Oil- nourishes and softens psoriasis -affected skin areas.
Apply peanuts, almonds, coconut, rosemary or olives - in pure form or in a mixture - heat a little and apply, massaging the skin gently, under a cotton swab overnight. In the morning, wash with medicated shampoo. To remove the oil completely, rinse with water with apple cider vinegar diluted in it.
The use of traditional medicine recipes was agreed with the attending physician.
Is it possible to cure lichen scaly forever
Adequate approach to the treatment of psoriasis, competent use of local and systemic remedies, adherence to diet and principles of a healthy lifestyle allow the remission period to increase over many years. To date, there has been no complete cure case for psoriasis.
What to do in case of deterioration in order to remove it quickly
To relieve the excitement quickly, it is necessary, together with the doctor, to make a comprehensive plan of therapeutic measures and follow it carefully.
The number of methods and methods of therapy used for psoriasis is huge. The main task is to choose the most effective, based on the observations and recommendations of our own dermatologists.