Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes dry, itchy, scaly patches on your body known as plaques.
Psoriasis can appear anywhere on your body. According to a 2016 study, over half of the U.S. population with psoriasis experience scalp psoriasis.
Although there are medical treatments for psoriasis, you can also try several natural home remedies to manage your symptoms.
Symptoms and causes
Psoriasis on the scalp usually presents as plaques. These plaques can be thick or thin. They can appear anywhere on the scalp, hairline, forehead, around the ears, or the back of the head.
On light skin, plaques can appear silvery or white in color. But on darker skin tones, they’re more likely to be darker, closer to purple or brown in color.
Other scalp psoriasis symptoms include:
Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition. It occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks your skin cells, leading to a buildup of these cells on the surface of your skin. This is what causes the scaly plaques. Researchers also believe genetics play a role in the condition.
Home treatments
While there’s no cure for the condition, you can try several treatments, including the following home remedies:
1. Sun
Research has shown that both vitamin D and ultraviolet B (UVB) phototherapy can be safe and effective in managing psoriasis symptoms. Vitamin D and UVB are found naturally in sunlight, so getting some sun may be helpful for you. This can be especially helpful on your scalp as it’s most exposed to sunlight.
But it’s important to wear sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. It’s also important to avoid too much sun exposure as it can lead to skin cancer.
2. Shampoos
Some research indicates that using certain over-the-counter (OTC) shampoos can effectively lower symptoms of scalp psoriasis.
For example, shampoos containing 2–10% coal tar are often used because of their anti-inflammatory properties. But researchers need to conduct more studies on this. Salicylic acid shampoos are also used for similar purposes.
Doctors usually recommend OTC shampoos alongside other treatments rather than as a replacement for medical interventions.
3. Aloe vera
Aloe vera gel might help soothe psoriasis symptoms due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Specifically, it can target the thickening of the skin that causes plaques. The National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) recommends using a cream that has 0.5% aloe.
In fact, research from 2022 found that certain aloe vera gel formulations showed no difference in results compared to medical treatment with clobetasol propionate. This means that aloe vera gel was equally effective as clobetasol propionate. But researchers need to conduct more studies on this.
4. Apple cider vinegar
The NPF also recommends using apple cider vinegar to treat itching caused by scalp psoriasis. Before applying apple cider vinegar on the scalp, dilute the vinegar with water to ease any burning sensation. Also, remember to rinse the vinger off after it dries. This will help prevent irritation and worsening of your symptoms in the long run.
5. Meditation and yoga
While the cause of psoriasis is not entirely known, several things can trigger a flare-up, including stress. So managing stress can help you lower the chances of a flare-up and reduce your symptoms overall.
Meditation and yoga are two common methods for relieving stress. According to a 2022 review of studies, several research papers concluded that stress-reduction methods, including meditation, had a significant positive effect on scalp psoriasis symptoms. Additionally, researchers found that these methods improve overall quality of life.
Medical treatments
Natural remedies may help lower your symptoms, but it’s also important to speak with a healthcare professional about the medical options for treating scalp psoriasis. You can work together to find a treatment plan that works for you.
Medical treatments can include the following:
- Medicated shampoos and creams: These include clobetasol (Clobex), anthralin (Zithranol), and tazarotene (Arazlo).
- Systemic medications: These are usually taken as tablets and include acitretin (Soriatane), cyclosporine (Neoral), and apremilast (Otezla).
- Light therapy: Light therapy, or phototherapy, involves using targeted UVB on affected areas to treat psoriasis. Handheld phototherapy devices might be especially helpful for scalp psoriasis.
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