Scalp psoriasis : Causes and Scalp Psoriasis Treatments

Scalp Psoriasis commonly occurs on the back of the head however multiple areas of the scalp or the whole scalp may be affected. Scalp psoriasis is characterized by thick silvery white scales on patches of very red skin and can extend slightly beyond the hairline. Scalp psoriasis, despite being partially hidden by the hair is often a source of social embarrassment due to flaking of the scale and severe 'dandruff'. Scalp psoriasis may be extremely itchy or on occasion have no itch symptoms. It can also cause temporary baldness on the affected areas. It is a common, chronic, inflammatory skin disease and can be associated with increased risk of melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma. Scalp psoriasis is treatable but as with all scalp problems, you need to know the cause so you can prevent the scalp condition from returning and treat it accordingly. Psoriasis of the scalp like all forms of this condition is not contagious; it cannot be passed from person to person nor can one spread it to other parts of the body. The disorder is a chronic or recurring condition which can vary in severity, from minor localized silvery patches on the scalp to complete body coverage.

What Causes Scalp Psoriasis? Many consider psoriasis to be primarily a disorder of excessive growth and reproduction of skin cells. The problem is simply seen as a fault of the epidermis and its keratinocytes. An alternate viewpoint sees the disease as being an immune-mediated disorder in which the excessive reproduction of skin cells is secondary to factors produced by the immune system. It is thought that T cells (which normally help protect the body against infection) become active, migrate to the dermis and trigger the release of cytokines which cause inflammation and the rapid production of skin cells. Recent research indicates that “psoriasis is likely a disorder of the immune system. This system includes a type of white blood cell, called a T cell, that normally helps protect the body against infection and disease. Scientists now think that, in psoriasis, an abnormal immune system causes activity by T cells in the skin. These T cells trigger the inflammation and excessive skin cell reproduction seen in people with psoriasis”. (Source: excerpt from Psoriasis: NWHIC).


It is interesting also to note that further research indicates that a large percentage of scalp psoriasis sufferers often also suffer from liver dysfunction or liver toxicity. The liver plays a major role in metabolism and has a number of functions in the body including drug detoxification. When we apply topically or ingest certain ingredients into our system via our mouths or skin, the liver has to deal with these and in some people can effect the immune system.

It's often a surprize to people that the cause of their scaly scalp and itching may have started in the liver and then the skin flakes/scales as an immune response to those liver toxins. That’s why you see those awful flaking and scaling scales.

We know already that SLS’s and other nasties found in common shampoos are readily absorbed into our bodies via our pores and deposited long term in our liver. So how does this relate to psoriasis?

Well, there are many theories and cases suggesting that if you detox your liver and “clear out toxins” that you can eliminate psoriasis and help out your dry scalp problem.

I mean, think about it…what do you suspect happens when your liver is so full of toxins that it can no longer deal with all the build up from foreign substances being absorbed into the body - then you add yet more of these toxins via your scalp/skin?

It makes sense that your immune defense system will do whatever it can to get rid of them and keep them out! So is it any surprise then that studies have found “scaling and flaking is the result of the body’s immune system attempting to shed damaged or irritated skin to expel anything it identifies as unhealthy for its cells”.

So what can you do? Well, a detox helps as does using the right hair products.

There are some fantastic highly recommended “scalp psoriasis treatments” out there such as Dr. Robert E. Connelly’s book “Psoriasis Can Be Cured”. He instructs his patients to follow a very strict program including diet, supplements and regular self tests to determine improvements in liver weakness.

Another fantastic cleanse specifically targeting psoriasis is sold by “Malcolm Harker”. He offers a very good cleanse system and topical creams that are very beneficial.

Yes, these methods are fantastic to help clean the liver so your body is not overloaded and does not manifest psoriasis or other conditions in order to protect itself! Cleaning out your liver is important and is very effective in clearing up what you already have.

However, there’s really no point in going through this process only to prepare our liver again for the next lot of irritants, carcinogens and formaldehydes we force into our bodies via our open receptive pores in the shower every day!

Even worse, the moisture, heat and cleansers we use, also remove our natural oil mantle thus causing further irritation (itchiness and discomfort) to our already tender sensitive scalps and ravaged hair follicles!

I would highly recommend that if you suffer from psoriasis, that you do a liver cleanse. A good cleanse should be done to speed the healing process and for all the other benefits you will gain. You will feel fantastic and it’s highly beneficial for your skin!

Tip: While detoxing so it is important to refrain from eating pork, dairy as well avoiding consumption of high gluten based products. The main consideration to remember is to look for a program that is designed to move toxins out of your liver! Milk thistle is fantastic to help you cleanse as well as Cranberry juice.

In addition to a detox, you need to make the transition to natural hair care products that don’t contain harmful chemicals like SLA’s. A few of these brands are listed on our links page but many more can be found in Beautiful Hair & Healthy Scalp Secrets & Remedies

There are natural alternatives to use to relieve & treat scalp psoriasis. It also helps a great deal to know what steps can be taken and what ingredients, (& some foods) to avoid as part of a scalp psoriasis treatment to cure and to prevent your scalp problem from returning.

There are many remedies for scalp psoriasis you can make from natural essential oils to soothe and reduce the symtoms of scalp psosriasis, like Neem oil and combinations of oils especially.

You can drink Burdock root as a tea. Birch or Slippery Elm are also good taken in tablet form to help heal the gut. Herbs known to be particularly beneficial to take for psoriasis: Oregon Grape, Sarsparilla, Saw Palmetto, Echinacea.

There are natural alternatives to use to relieve & treat scalp psoriasis. It also helps a great deal to know what steps can be taken and what ingredients, (& some foods) to avoid as part of a scalp psoriasis treatment to cure and to prevent your scalp problem from returning.

You can do a great deal to eradicate scalp psoriasis by making conscious choices about what you buy to apply to your skin and scalp. Psoriasis scalp conditions need not steal your confidence. An understanding of what aggravates this condition and what you can do to soothe and treat it successfully both on the inside and outside naturally can make a huge difference to your quality of life - and empower you.

All you need to know about scalp conditions and more many scalp psoriasis treatment remedies to help soothe, relieve and assist the healing process in Beautiful Hair & Healthy Scalp Secrets & Remedies

What is Plaque Psoriasis?

Plaque Psoriasis, aside from being the most common type, is just psoriasis. Let me explain. Prior to being called this, it was psoriasis and before this, was thought to be leprosy.

For example... psoriasis on the scalp came to be scalp psoriasis. This began to get descriptive names many decades ago according to where on the body you had it. It's still the same, but changes its appearance depending where on the body you have it. For obvious reasons (hair mass and less skin tissue), this on the scalp has generally a different appearance then psoriasis on the elbows and knees.

Signs and Symptoms

There are various types of psoriasis. We have Plaque psoriasis, Nail psoriasis, Scalp psoriasis, Guttate psoriasis, Inverse psoriasis, Pustular psoriasis, Erythrodermic psoriasis and Psoriatic arthritis. And the most common of it is the plaque psoriasis. The symptoms of psoriasis may defer depending on what type a person has but may include one or more of the following:

• Red patches of skin, inflamed skin usually covered with silver colored scales is the most common form of plaque psoriasis. These patches may be itchy and painful. The itch may occur anywhere in your body including your genitals. Sometimes these red patches crack and bleed.

• Psoriasis may also affect your fingernails and toenails. Discoloration and pitting of the nails can also be one of the symptoms of nail psoriasis. This may causes the nails to loosen and will eventually detach from the nail bed. Nails may crumble in most severe cases of nail psoriasis.

• Scalp psoriasis or psoriasis on the scalp may appear red. Itchy areas of the scalp may have silvery colored white scales. Flakes are noticeable in your hair or shoulders, especially after scratching your scalp.

• Guttate psoriasis may affects people less than 30 years of age. Marked by small water-drop-shaped sores on your trunks, arms, legs and scalp.

• Inverse psoriasis is the kind that mainly affects the skin in your armpits, groin, under the breasts, and around the genitals. Inverse psoriasis is common the oversized people and it is worsened by friction and sweating.