How a Hair Doctor Helps Treat Scalp Psoriasis
Frustrated with the uncomfortable itching, hair loss, and embarrassment of scalp psoriasis? Get the help you need from your hair doctor in the Kansas City, MO, area. Here’s more on today’s available treatments for this all-too-common health problem.
What Is Psoriasis, and What are Its Symptoms?
Psoriasis is a chronic skin and scalp condition. Suffered by millions across the United States, psoriasis develops in the body’s own immune system.
In essence, the immune system’s natural defenses overproduce skin cells. This activity causes thick, white, flaky plaques anywhere on the body, including the face (especially the forehead), back of the neck, around the ears, arms, legs, trunk, and yes, the scalp.
People of color, in particular, tend to get psoriasis on their scalps. The National Psoriasis Foundation says that psoriasis occurs most often in teens and young adults. However, people of all ethnicities and ages, including children, may develop it.
When psoriasis happens, it is impossible to cure completely, but it can be controlled–even on the scalp. Symptoms that send people to a skin specialist or hair doctor include:
- Extensive white scales or plaques
- Intense itchiness
- Bleeding due to scratching or picking at plaques and scabs on the skin and scalp
- Hair loss
- Burning and stinging sensations
Additionally, people with psoriasis feel less confident in social situations. In short, their self-confidence is impacted.
Getting Treatment for Psoriasis
If over-the-counter treatments and basic hygiene practices, such as gentle shampooing and hair brushing, don’t lessen symptoms, you may benefit from an in-office consultation with a hair and scalp doctor. This doctor can identify the sites of inflammation, itchiness, hair loss, and scales by reviewing your health history and determine what kind of treatment may manage your symptoms. Treatment goals include reduction of inflammation and a marked decrease in cell growth which is the characteristic of psoriasis.
A key to treatment is patience. Psoriasis can be very stubborn, and your hair doctor may recommend one or more treatments–many times in combination or one after the other. In any case, perseverance with a detailed treatment plan can help you achieve longer periods of a clearer, symptom-free scalp and better hair growth.
Treatment options can include:
- Continuing with simple hygiene practices and use of over-the-counter shampoos
- Use of topical treatments, including salicylic acid and coal and wood tar preparations
- Laser treatments for the scalp performed two to three times per week in the hair doctor’s office
- Application of steroids to reduce inflammation
- Scalp injections of corticosteroids
- Systemic prescription medications to suppress the overactive immune system
- Use of medicated shampoo with clobetasol propionate as the active ingredient
Your Hair Restoration Doctor in the Kansas City, MO, Area
At Darling Hair Restoration, Dr. Scott L. Darling helps people struggling with hair loss and many other hair-related problem including scalp psoriasis. With his expertise and experience, he can help you find a psoriasis treatment plan which really works.
To arrange an in-person consultation, call us today at (816) 792-3400. Alternatively, you can schedule your consultation by filling in our online appointment request form. We have offices in Liberty, MO, and in Urbandale, IA.
