Seborrheic psoriasis on the scalp is a rather rare, but quite serious problem that requires immediate and systematic treatment.It is associated with unpleasant symptoms that impair quality of life.Dermatological changes in the skin that appear along the entire hairline can complicate a person’s socialization in society and force him to reduce any contact to a minimum.Therefore, it is important for those with this diagnosis to begin treating the pathology as early as possible.
Unlike other cosmetic defects, psoriasis has an important aspect that helps simplify its diagnosis.In the initial stages, the disease may manifest itself in the form of minor dandruff, crusts or bloody wounds on the head.However, this type of pathology does not in any way affect the growth rate, thickness and quality of hair.The disease affects only the skin, without affecting adjacent tissues.
Unfortunately, the disease is always chronic.Its unpleasant manifestations on the head, left without proper attention and treatment, are guaranteed to lead to progress and worsening of the situation: an increase in the area of localization of psoriasis, its spread to nearby areas with the largest number of sebaceous glands (face, neck, armpits, ears, chest), and then - over the entire surface of the body, damage to the joints and soft tissues around them.It will be much more difficult to get rid of a disease with a large area of localization, so it must be treated at the first signs appearing on the head.
Features of psoriasis and causes of its occurrence
According to statistics, the disease is more often diagnosed in the female part of the population, and at a fairly young age, in the period from 15 to 30 years.Doctors claim that over the years the risk of developing psoriasis decreases, but such cases of late diagnosis still exist.Therefore, it is important to pay sufficient attention to your own appearance and health, not to miss the moment when a serious, chronic illness may be hidden behind a seeming cosmetic defect.
The factors that provoke the appearance and progression of the pathology have not yet been determined.Experts call it a genetic disease, and absolutely every person is at risk of contracting it.But at the same time, they associate it with a failure of metabolic processes in the body, leading to disturbances in the renewal of epidermal tissues.
The following can also increase the risk of the primary appearance of psoriasis:
- difficult, stressful situations;
- chronic lack of sleep, exhaustion of the body;
- systematic injury to the scalp;
- age-related hormonal imbalances;
- prolonged infectious and inflammatory processes;
- uncontrolled use of medications, including hormonal ones;
- bad heredity;
- problems with the thyroid gland;
- gastrointestinal diseases leading to poor absorption and vitamin deficiency;
- scalp burns, exposure to the sun or cold wind.
The cause of psoriasis can be even banal pollution of the body due to poor ecology, alcohol abuse and smoking.In any case, the development of the disease is always accompanied by a disruption of the immune system, which, instead of a protective function, triggers the process of self-destruction.
How to remove manifestations of psoriasis on the head
Having appeared suddenly, the disease is unpredictable: it can progress rapidly or enter a stage of remission, characterized by the absence of any unpleasant symptoms.In any case, you can prevent its exacerbation and reduce the discomfort it creates on your own through proper and systematic treatment.
The use of available folk remedies intended for treatment at home will help get rid of severe symptoms:
- A solution of baking soda (4 tablespoons per 1 liter of water), which helps soften the epidermis, making it more receptive, and relieve itching.
- Sea salt (3-4 tablespoons per 1 liter of warm water), saturates the scalp with biologically active compounds that increase its protective functions.
- A decoction (4 tablespoons per 1 liter of water) or alcohol infusion of medicinal herbs that have an anti-inflammatory effect (chain, licorice root, nettle, celandine, calendula, etc.).
- Herbs containing plant steroids (schizandra, ginseng, rhodiola, aralia, eleutherococcus).A weak decoction (2 tablespoons per 1 liter of water) will help soothe the scalp and relieve itching.
- Turmeric powder diluted with water to obtain a viscous but not runny consistency.Works as an effective immunomodulator and antioxidant.
- Concentrated Aloe juice, which has anti-inflammatory, wound healing and analgesic effects.
- Alcohol solution of salicylic acid, which accelerates the rejection of crusts and renewal of the scalp.
- A tincture of sunflower and dry white wine, used as a compress, will gently but effectively relieve inflammation, itching and redness.
- Banana peel, crushed in a meat grinder, will have a nutritional and restorative effect.
- Coconut, palm, argan, castor, sea buckthorn, peanut, olive oils mixed with esters (rose, tea tree, eucalyptus) or homemade honey.
One of the effective means to help fight the manifestations of psoriasis are masks based on garlic and onions.These components are designed to strengthen the immune system and cleanse the blood.However, they are best used to treat areas of skin that are not covered with hair.When applying such products to your head, you should understand that the hair has a porous structure that actively absorbs all odors.Therefore, it will be very difficult to get rid of the strong aroma of onion and garlic after such treatment, until the treated hair grows back completely and is cut off.
Decoctions, herbal tinctures and ointments made from vegetable oils are guaranteed to help get rid of unwanted symptoms of psoriasis on the head.For effective treatment, they can be used daily without washing off the active ingredients from the hair for 6-8 hours.
However, each organism is individual.Therefore, you will have to choose a suitable remedy by trial and error, by applying each of the above recipes in turn, for 4-5 weeks.If there is no improvement from one composition, you need to smoothly switch to another.This will allow you to choose the best treatment method individually for each specific case.
How to prevent relapse after psoriasis treatment
People with this chronic diagnosis should completely reconsider their current lifestyle.It is important to follow a strict diet designed to eliminate the symptoms of the disease.During and after treatment, you need to exclude fatty, too sweet, fried, spicy foods, canned food, strong coffee and alcoholic drinks.
The diet for psoriasis should be calculated as follows:
- 70% alkaline components (fruits, vegetables);
- 30% acidic (meat, dairy products, various oils).
This will optimize the intestinal microflora, which is responsible for the state of the immune system.Timely cleansing will also help improve the body’s protective functions.To do this, you need to drink a sufficient amount of liquid, giving preference to juices, clean water or rosehip decoction.For prevention purposes, it is recommended to detoxify the body using adsorbents (charcoal, smecta, etc.).
Seasonal intake of vitamins will help strengthen the protective barrier.For psoriasis, you should consume complexes containing nicotinic, ascorbic and folic acids, as well as vitamins A, E and B.
It is better to wash your hair using special products or natural soap.You need to be extremely careful when combing them, avoid using a hairdryer, staying in the open sun for a long time, and exposing the scalp to frosty air.
With psoriasis, nervous or physical fatigue is not allowed.It is important to learn not to take what is happening to heart, letting unpleasant situations pass you by, and to make decisions using not emotions, but a cold mind.