The development of the disease can vary from isolated plaques to a few, including the defeat of all the scalp. In addition, the progress over the psoriasis on the face, with the skin of the forehead, spreading to the back of the neck and the ears.
According to statistics, the psoriasis affects around 5.7 million residents and around the world, approximately 4% of the population with this nasty dermatological pathology. The localization process is different, but often the scalp is the only area of the body where the symptoms of psoriasis (typical of more than 50% of clinical cases).
Causes of psoriasis of the scalp
The origin and the causes of hair psoriasis, as with other types of disease has not been fully elucidated. According to the American Academy of dermatology, the debut of the pathological process occurs because of a violation of the functioning of the human immune system.
According to the theory, the body of the patient occurs a process of autoimmune in which the tissues of the skin increases the concentration of T-lymphocytes-cells that play an important role in the immune response. Their accumulation results in a continuous inflammatory process, which is manifested by thickening of the skin and the appearance of scaly formations.
For the reference! A process autoimmune is a phenomenon in which a person's immune system causes damage to the body, not protect it.
A malfunction of the immune system caused by a number of triggers, not directly causative of the disease, but it has a certain value. Background causes of psoriasis of the scalp following:
- Heredity plays an important role in the chain of the development of the pathological process: it is considered that the risk of the appearance of psoriasis increases dramatically in the presence of the disease, at least a close relative. This statement is not accepted by all specialists and is still under discussion.
- Stress. Emotional experiences can strengthen the immune system dysfunction that manifests with a more severe course of psoriasis, either on its debut in the distribution.
- The use of drugs. It is believed that some drugs that affect the process of development; in particular, informed about the side effects of indomethacin. The drug is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent (NSAID) and is recommended in the treatment of arthritis. Also report to the provocation of the disease quinidine, which is used in cardiology, such as drug antiarrhythmic.
- Other factors that can lead to the development of the disease in predisposed individuals: burns, injuries of various kinds, sore throat and others.
Diagnosis of hair psoriasis
The person's decision to go to the doctor often depends on the severity of the symptoms: some patients are ashamed of their disease or just don't feel the need to waste their time of stay in health care institutions, especially for mild symptoms.
Experts recommended to consult a dermatologist if a rash in any place and at any time. The treatment usually depends on the cause of the lesions, so the need for timely and accurate diagnosis, even if the symptoms of the pathological process is weak.
In many cases, psoriasis of the scalp is diagnosed through the physical examination, the study of the clinical history and the patient's life. Specialist able to diagnose the disease simply by the study of the eruption. In some situations, it is recommended that a blood test and biopsy for the differential diagnosis with other skin diseases (dermatitis, eczema, etc.).
Although the recurrence of psoriasis can occur regularly, usually pathology is not considered serious — it is important to follow medical advice and to seek the necessary treatment.
The symptoms and the first symptoms of psoriasis on the head
Hair psoriasis often has a mild course and are virtually invisible. Signs of psoriasis of the head of the individual, and, therefore, some patients may develop severe progression of the illness, which include ulcers and long duration of the disease. Intense itching causes of sleep disorders, and a sketch of scratching leads to infection of the skin and hair.
How does psoriasis head? A slight degree of the disease is less severe manifestations: there was a subtle point of eruption, almost do not cause the patient any discomfort.
Moderate and severe degree includes the following signs and symptoms of the disease:
- Rocky, irregular patches of red-purple hue.
- A dry scalp.
- It appears the flaking, looks like dandruff.
- Itching unbearable.
- Burning and pain in the area of the eruption.
- The bleeding occur from scratching or to remove the flakes.
- Temporary loss of hair.
If the patient has a history of psoriasis in the head and some of the above symptoms, this is the reason for re-treatment of the dermatologist.
Please, note! By itself, the psoriasis does not cause hair loss; this leads to an intense scratching, along with the stress. Hair growth resumes after the cleaning.
Stage of hair psoriasis
The pathological process occurs spontaneously and in waves, including the step of several stages of the disease:
- Phase of progression. Observed at the onset of the disease or its recurrence. It is produced in the form of the appearance of new lesions in the skin, which can be combined, forming a more extensive involvement of the skin in the pathological process. In psoriatic lesions was observed peeling.
- Phase of preservation. This phase involves the security of the process, however, new lesions no longer observed. During this period, "blunted" the growth of the plates and is not marked border around the dermis elements. This phase usually serves as an indicator of success coincides treatment.
- Phase of regression. Seen that a decrease in the volume of precipitation and is determined by the effectiveness of the therapy. This stage is characterized by the appearance of the rim Voronov — folds of the skin around the psoriatic plaque. At the same time, peeling slowly disappears, and in place of of plaques can form spots whitish.
Treatments for psoriasis of the scalp
How to treat psoriasis in the head? The first line of defense is a therapy that is applied directly on the skin: medicated shampoos, creams, gels, oils, ointments and Soaps.
Among the drugs without prescription, approved by Management on sanitary inspection behind quality of food and drugs (FDA), the most popular are:
- Funds on the basis of salicylic acid. The salicylic acid has anti-inflammatory action, effectively removing flaky outer layer and smooth out the skin. The downside is the local irritation and the weakening of the hair which leads to breakage.
- Coal tar. The effect is based on slowing the growth of skin cells to restore a normal appearance. Resin also decreases the itching and inflammation.
In some cases psoriasis in the head treatment is to get an injection of a steroid anti-inflammatory drugs in the pathological areas of the skin. Often this type of treatment is relevant when mild course of the disease.
In the fight against scalp psoriasis help phototherapy, which uses laser and other light sources. For example, the excimer laser focuses high-intensity radiation to the affected sites; and should avoid contact with the healthy skin. The ultraviolet radiation is used to treat only the scalp. In the case of a short hair cut it is recommended that you only go out for a short period of time under the natural light.
The course of the disease and the prevention
Unfortunately, causal therapy (i.e., treatment directed to the cause of the disease) does not exist. However, in the treatment of symptomatic treatments and physiotherapy allow you to remove the unwanted signs of the disease, to control the repeated episodes and to prevent relapse of psoriasis.
The disease in the majority of cases favourable and leads to serious problems. At the same time, long-term psoriasis in the head with the arrival of "fresh" evidence is the reason for the treatment in the medical institution.
Because in this moment there are no scientific studies that might establish the cause of the disease and dysfunction of the immune system in General, to avoid the development of psoriasis in predisposed individuals is difficult. Specialists do not have a clear answer to the question of how to cure psoriasis on the head. At the same time, a symptom of treatment is to avoid the spread and progression of the process.
People who suffer from psoriasis of the scalp can make use of the guidelines and tips, which occurs due to the relapse prevention condition:
- Promptly seek the advice of dermatologist and get the necessary treatment. Ointments or drugs oral allow not only to prevent the progress of the disease, but also improve the quality of life, reduction of rashes and itching.
- Treat the scalp smooth: avoid vigorous washing and combing the hair, as this can cause breakage and hair loss.
- To avoid the scratching. Scratches can cause the development of a bleeding and possibly infection.
- Please contact the counselor or join a support group if appearance feel constant psychological discomfort.
- Timely, the humidity is a kind of popular method. That will not cure psoriasis, but will improve the condition and appearance of the skin.
- Avoid the known triggers. Determine which often causes a relapse and try not to let these factors to your life.