Thursday, November 27, 2008

Look For Psoriasis Scalp Treatment?

By Andy Austim

Scalp psoriasis is a common condition among people with psoriasis. Red lesions form when skin cells are produced too quickly. Scalp psoriasis doesnt end at the scalp; it can also be found on the forehead, neck, and around the ears. The most common psoriasis scalp treatments are topical steroids, tar shampoos, and natural remedies.

Tar products are good as a mild psoriasis scalp treatment. For scalp psoriasis, tar products are usually in the form of shampoo. You can get them by prescription or over-the-counter. Tar shampoo needs to stay on the scalp for a few minutes before it is rinsed away to be effective. Unfortunately, the strong and unpleasant odor of tar shampoo means it is not the perfect solution. It also has the tendency to stain pillow cases. These, however, may be minor annoyances compared to steroid's side effects.

Topical steroids can be prescribed by your doctor and can be in the form of lotions, ointments, sprays, foam, cream, or gels. While some of these psoriasis scalp treatments will be mild, others will be too strong to use for a prolonged period of time. Talk to your doctor about how often you should use steroid medication on your scalp psoriasis.

Since you apply psoriasis scalp treatments directly to the scalp, you must use caution to avoid getting any in the eyes or ears. Medications may be alcohol based or water based and some are specifically designed for the scalp.

In addition to tar products and topical steroids, many people wish to use natural remedies to reduce their scalp psoriasis symptoms. One common remedy is to massage warm olive oil in your hair before washing it.

Not all psoriasis scalp treatments involve medication. One option is to use phototherapy. Your scalp must be exposed to artificial UV light. This is ideal for people with little to no hair. Otherwise, you'll have to make several parts in your hair for the treatment to get to your skin. Another option is a special UV comb.

Although scalp psoriasis is a serious problem for many people, a combination of psoriasis scalp treatments, including tar products, topical steroids, and natural remedies can help control the lesions, scaling, and itchiness. Work closely with your doctor to find the combination that works best for you.

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