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 Causes Psoriasis To Worsen?

Physicians do not know what causes some people suffer from psoriasis. They have found, however, that certain factors contribute to a flare-up of the disease. Patients with psoriasis need to educate themselves so that they can stay away from these irritating agents or conditions which cause their symptoms to worsen.

Temperature seems to be an aggravating factor for those with psoriasis. A temperature that is too cold can cause the inflammation of psoriasis to worsen. The drying effect of a heater irritates the skin and makes flaking more troublesome. A sudden drop or intense rise in temperature also seems to make the condition worse. Patients report that a mild, stable climate is the most beneficial to keep from aggravating their psoriasis symptoms.

Infections in the body also have a negative effect on psoriasis. Whether the infection is an upper respiratory tract infection, strep throat, boils, or common thrush, it seems to cause the symptoms of psoriasis to worsen. The good news is that once the infection has been effectively stopped, the inflammation of the psoriasis also tends to decrease.

Stress seems to be a common denominator in most instances of worsening psoriasis. The initial stress may come from any source, but once the psoriasis flares up, the stress is self-perpetuating. Looking in the mirror at a body covered in sores is stressful. Answering the questions of friend and family concerning one's appearance or condition is stressful. Even the burning and itching of psoriasis result in stress that worsens the disease itself.

Doctors also feel that some medications may play a role in causing psoriasis to worsen. Some of the prescriptions medicines that are suspected are beta-blockers and corticosteroids. These are excellent drug for their intended purposes, but in some people, they bring a higher risk of reaction, causing psoriasis to worsen. Other suspected drugs are those used to treat malaria and Lithium. If these drugs seem to worsen a patient's psoriasis, doctors do have other prescriptions that can be given to replace them.

Through paying close attention to factors that precipitate a major breakout of psoriasis, patients and their doctors can eliminate many undesirable elements. Trial and error seems to be the only way to know exactly what causes psoriasis to worsen in individual patients and to personalize their treatment plans accordingly.

What is Psoriasis and How to Treat it

Author: Ryan Hooper

What is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a disease which affects the skin and joints and commonly causes red scaly patches to appear on the skin. The scaly patches are areas of inflammation and excessive skin production. Psoriasis can cause pain, itching, burning and emotional distress. It affects both sexes equally and can occur at any age, although it most commonly appears for the first time between the ages of 15 and 25.

Today more than seven million Americans suffer with psoriasis. Recent studies show that there may be an ethnic link. It seems that psoriasis is most common in Caucasians, slightly less in African Americans and far less common among Asians and Native Americans.

Psoriasis is not contagious. You can't catch psoriasis from another person or give it to someone by touching them, and you can't spread it to other parts of your body.

What Causes Psoriasis?

The cause of psoriasis is not fully understood. Recent research indicates that it is likely a disorder of the immune system in which the excessive reproduction of skin cells is secondary to factors produced by the immune system.

Scientists now think that, in psoriasis, an abnormal immune system causes activity by T cells in the skin. Normally, T cells help protect the body against infection and disease, but in the case of psoriasis, they mistakenly attack skin cells instead. The body then produces other immune system responses, leading to swelling and rapid production of skin cells.

In areas affected by psoriasis, there seems to be a rapid increase in the speed at which skin cells are replaced. Skin usually takes about 28 days to mature and shed, but in areas affected by psoriasis it only takes three or four days. The dead cells build up on the skin, forming thick, flaky patches called plaques.

It is not known what initiates the activation of the T cells.

Several factors are thought to aggravate psoriasis: Infections, Diseases that weaken the immune system, Stress, Certain medications, Smoking, Certain chemicals, Severe sunburn…

Psoriasis treatment

Today, there are many different treatments available to help control psoriasis.
No single treatment works for everyone. The goal is to find a treatment that works the best with the fewest side effects. One of the first principles of psoriasis treatment is to not create anything worse than the disease.

There are three basic types of treatments for psoriasis:

1. Topical treatment (medicated ointments or creams applied to the skin)

2. Phototherapy (UVB, PUVA and lasers)

3. Systemic (medications taken into the body by pill or injection)

Alternative Psoriasis treatments

The use of alternative psoriasis treatments are becoming more common as more and more people choose to treat their condition in more nontraditional ways. They have become tired of finding a traditional therapy that works, or may be concerned about the side effects many of those therapies produce.

Alternative psoriasis treatments are in most cases perfectly safe and include:

Acupuncture, Ayurveda, Manipulation Treatment, Osteopathy, Climatotherapy, Diet, Dietary Supplements, Homeopathy, Water Therapies (Balneotherapy, Heliotherapy, Phytotherapy, Thalassotherapy), Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatments, Meditation and Relaxation, Herbology, Hypnosis, Moisturizing Products, Magnets, Epsom salt, Neem oil, Fasting…
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/what-is-psoriasis-and-how-to-treat-it-189851.html

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