Living with Scalp Psoriasis

-----------------ใส่ตรงนี้คับ----------------

Image : http://www.flickr.com

Psoriasis is a genetic, non-contagious disease that affects the skin and joints. There are different types of this disease but the most common is plaque psoriasis. This type affects the skin by inflaming lesions and then covering with scaly white flakes.

This is caused by skin cells replicating at a heightened rate reproducing at eight times faster than the normal. Since cells develop in a matter of days instead of a month, build-up on the surface, and results in inflamed and scaled lesions. The flaky and shiny scales are the accumulated dead cells. Psoriasis is itchy and can be very painful at times.

According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, psoriasis affects approximately two to three percent of the world's population. The World Psoriasis Day Consortium reports ~125 million people are affected. Although any part of the body can be affected by this disease, it is most prevalent in the areas of the scalp, knees, elbows and torso. There is no known scientific cure for psoriasis, but there are skin care products and solutions available that provide temporary relief from the symptoms and healing of lesions.

Generally, those afflicted with Psoriasis have lesions on their body and scalp, though there are numerous reported cases of lesions being restricted to the scalp alone. Scalp psoriasis affects portions of the forehead, neck and behind the ears. Symptoms can be mild with fine dandruff-like flakes to extremely severe cases, with crusted flakes that often lead to hair loss.

Scalp psoriasis is often mistaken for severe dandruff. It is a source of insecurity and embarrassment due to its unsightly appearance and is often misunderstood by many thinking that the disease is contagious. Though there are reported instances where scalp psoriasis has disappeared or healed unassisted, that is rarely the case. There are treatments available that can vary depending on the severity of the disease. Treatments fall into three categories:

Topical Treatments

Medications that are applied directly to the skin. These include lotions, creams, ointments, shampoos or gels that reduce inflammation, normalize healthy skin production and slow skin cell reproduction. Topical treatments can give relief to mild and moderate cases, and in some cases, have been known to heal psoriasis altogether. Application of Emu Oil has shown to disrupt the out-of-control production of cells and to reduce inflammation. Emu oil is an anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and is a transdermal moisturizer. It is used to heal wounds, rashes, burns, and scars and stretch marks.

Ultraviolet (UV) light or phototherapy or In-Home Soft Light Laser Application

If patients do not react favorably to topical applications, UV and laser light therapy is an option. Light exposure to UV either through direct exposure to the sun or with UV combs, tends to slow cell production. Patients often are required to shave all or part of their hair to allow maximum exposure. An alternative is soft light laser treatment.

Systemic & Medication Treatments

Either taken internally or with an injection. These are used for severe cases of scalp psoriasis and hair loss is a common side effect. Having a systemic treatment will usually clear scalp psoriasis but these treatments should only be prescribed by a dermatologists.

Scalp psoriasis will often subside with nominal treatment - either topical applications, exposure to sunlight, or by supplementing treatments with hair care that focuses on deep cleaning, moisturizing and healing the scalp. It is unusual for patients to suffer long periods of extreme scalp psoriasis if they seek medical help immediately and follow the treatments prescribed.