Treating Scalp Psoriasis

Author: Ryan Hooper
What is Scalp Psoriasis?

Scalp psoriasis is a skin disease that may cause itchy patches of thick, red skin with silvery scales. It can range from mild, with only light scaling to severe, with thick, crusted scales covering the whole scalp. The large flaky scales can be very uncomfortable and can itch quite painfully. Severe cases of scalp psoriasis can also lead to temporary hair loss which can be very distressing, but the good news is that the hair will grow back once the flare up calms down. The scalp is one of the most common affected sites in psoriatic patients as 79% of them have scalp involvement.

Scalp Psoriasis Treatment

Many treatment options can help control scalp psoriasis and its symptoms. Sometimes this type of psoriasis will clear on its own, other times it can remain on the scalp for long periods of time. Although it is not dangerous and life threatening, it can be persistent and difficult to treat.

The treatment of scalp psoriasis requires a different approach because it is more difficult to treat. Not that the disease is more stubborn, but the hair gets in the way of treatment. It can be challenging to apply topical creams to the scalp. Phototherapy treatment that involves exposing the skin to ultraviolet light also doesn't work very well because the hair blocks the rays.

While shaving the head would make it easier, many people feel uncomfortable doing so. Cutting hair short would also help, making the treatments easier to apply, but is again not appealing to everyone.

Treatment for mild scalp psoriasis consists of special medicated shampoos that were designed to clear the symptoms. Some of the more popular shampoo options include coal tar or salicylic acid, both of which are known for their exfoliating properties.

The shampoos work best if rubbed into the scalp well, and left in for 5 or 10 minutes and then reapplied. They are safe for daily use but may irritate if applied more than twice weekly. Soaking the scalp in warm (not hot) water can help loosen scales. Soaking with water makes scales easier to remove. The key of shampoo treatments is to loosen and remove scales, while providing as much moisture as possible.

A few things to keep in mind when using shampoo to treat scalp psoriasis: Be gentle when treating the scalp. Scratching the affected areas should be avoided, because breaking of the skin can make psoriasis worse. Be sure to use special medicated shampoos as directed. It is important to rub the shampoo into the scalp and not just the hair.

More severe cases of scalp psoriasis may require a stronger treatment, which can be achieved through topical applications that are left on the scalp or from administration of UVB light therapy.

Scalp psoriasis is a chronic condition and while it can't be completely cured, it can be controlled with the proper treatment.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/treating-scalp-psoriasis-192552.html
About the Author:To learn more about Psoriasis and Psoriasis treatment options visit - Psoriasis Treatment blog.

Psoriasis Treatment

Author: Lia

The way that I cleared my psoriasis was to try many things over the years and learn from each prescription and experience. I have tried natural treatments, herbal treatments, homeopathic treatments, medical treatments, over-the-counter treatments, and many others. I am convinced that different treatments can work for different people.

I do believe that there are many treatments in common as well as symptoms that many of us can treat and learn from. It is important to understand what caused your psoriasis, what maintains your psoriasis being affected, and why it improves or worsens.

The items that I feel are often in common from one person to the next that affect our psoriasis often can include food, stress, environmental factors, state of mind, happiness, and motivation. In future entries on this website I will discuss various treatments and how they worked for me and also feature many other people and what has worked for them.

The way I finally have cleared my psoriasis was to choose a career that deep down does not stress me out, do things that I enjoy, and set my life in motion in the right direction. I have found that various medical treatments, including shots and pills do not work for me in the long term as they often wear me down. I also have found that for me personally, tar and other skin creams can work but also can impact my system negatively. I do not believe in fly-by-night claims on the Internet and TV plus the radio, but I do feel that balancing how and what a treatment does to heal oneself is important.

http://www.mypsoriasistreatment.com/
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/psoriasis-treatment-194893.html

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

About the Author:To learn more about Psoriasis and Psoriasis treatment options visit - Psoriasis Treatment blog.