Scalp Psoriasis aka Plaque Psoriasis

7 months ago

Have any of you suffered this condition before? It's taken me a month to self-diagnose what I have. When I was at my checkup last week I planned to have the doctor look at my scalp except the power went out as soon as I got there and although we had our visit, it was too dark to mention the scalp & I barely had any itching.

Going to a dermatologist will be the last resort because it's such a common condtion that GP's know what to prescribe if necessary.

Long story short I think it began last year when I had dry patches on one ear that I got off with CeraVe and dryness in on eyebrow that I scrape off. And what I saw along my hairline a month ago, and the raised crust on top of my head is all new but I think it came from my ear or eyebrows.

I bought T-Sal shampoo, which has salicylic acid and didn't wash my hair 3 x times a week as instructed. It may have helped a bit and when I rean out I ordered another T-Sal shampoo but this time it has coal tar in it, used it the first time today. Scalp is itching more but it could be psychosomatic. If I see no improvement or it gets worse when I finish the bottle I'll contact my GP.

So, have you had it before and if so how did you treat it? It's one of those flare-up types and stress plays a big role.

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Comments (8)

bpath
7 months ago
I have it. Things like t-gel etc do not seem to help, and seem to make it worse sometimes.

It got so bad, and on my body, I went to the dermatologist. I think this was after myy dad died an my stress was through the roof. My hairdresser noticed, and of courwe she can see things I can’t so after all the things she was telling me, I went to the derm.

I have two treatments: a pill and a topical. Neither is covered by Medicare (I wasn’t on medicare when I first got them) and the topical is insanely expensive. But it is a good treatment. It is called Enstilar. Of course, part of what works is its base of mineral oil and petroleum jelly, which also makes it impossible to wash out of hair!

So, guess what? I sometimes just apply some petroleum jelly.

I also keep meaning to try an anti-inflammatory diet, but I like my bread, wine, dairy too much.
Bookwoman
7 months ago
Are you sure it's psoriasis and not seborrheic dermatitis? I have the latter, and Head&Shoulders (or any shampoo with pyrithione zinc) keeps it under control. When I was younger I also had it around my eyebrows, the folds of my nose, etc. and found that Olay Regenerist (the regular lotion) cleared it right up.
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Not to take away from thistledews post but with her heading I almost didnt read it.I have had psoriasis for about 25 years at least I think. It is amazing I always wanted to ask on here if anyone else had it. I guess now I know. I used to have it on my arm from my elbow to almost my wrist. My husband is a vet and he got some salve from the VA to soften up the bottoms of his feet. One night I decided to try it on my arm. I think I only used it once or twice and the psoriasis was cleared up. The salve is called TRIAMCINOLONE ACETONIDE CREAM USP 0.1% Now I have it on my hairline and into my ear. I have not got brave enough to put it on there yet though. I think I am scared because it is so close to the brain. My brother also gave me a prescription of really small pills and some salve, but I dont know what it is because the label was worn of before he gave it to me. About 12 years ago I had it really bad on my scalp and it was coming down my forehead. My mother took me to a lady who told me to put LISTERINE on my head. I was working at a tree nursery at the time and I used to put it on my head and then put a shower cap on it so it stayed wet and the tie a scarf over it. No one knew I had the shower cap on. I left the listerine on 24 hours a day. She told me to only wash my hair once or twice a week. I dont know how many times I went back to her and then one day she told me I had to let it breathe and not put it on all the time. She told me though she had never seen anyone get rid of it as fast as I did. It has to be the plain orangish brown listerine and no flavored stuff. She also said prayers over the psoriasis starting with 3 Signs of the Cross. The prayers are mostly said in German. This is the story behind the prayers. Before the King James bible was made, the older bibles all had the remedies in them for healling all kinds of ailments. This was before there were a lot of doctors. Then they decided that since they had a lot of doctors to help the people they didnt need them in there anymore and they took them out of the bibles. The old germans saved some of them. Thes healers have been passed down through generations and it usually was a female that taught them to a male and a male taught them to a female so it went back and forth in between the sexes. But they always dont do that anymore. I knew of 3 of them in the Dakotas but 2 have passed away. Now I just use the listerine and sometimes put vinegar on it to get rid of the plaque. I had my sister look at it and she said it doesnt look so bad so I think it is helping. Ok if any of you want to see if you can find one of these healers I think that the Amish and maybe even some hutterites may have them. But they are all over and not always associated with these groups. Some people call them witching people But in german the name is Brauche pronounced browha. My hair used to be really thick but it got really thin after I got the psoriasis on my scalp. I also have a sister-in-law who has it all over and hers is really bad. I consider myself lucky that mine isnt as bad as others. If anyone has any questions Please ask and I will try to help if I can.
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Asked if there was a topical he could use. Nurse said to try Metrogel; she called in a prescription. (shudder) I'm hoping that's not the full story. I know a lot of nurses try to play doctor but practicing medicine over the phone and prescribing medication on top of it? S/he should be turned in. Red, crusty & weeping. Of course it could be a lot of things or even a combination but the description of Eczema from this site says: "Eczema (from the Greek ekzein "to boil out") and dermatitis generally appear as dry or weeping, intensely itchy skin with raised areas that look like small blisters. In severe cases, atopic dermatitis and eczema symptoms may include crusted-over lesions. Eczema is usually caused by environmental irritants (nickel, detergents, perfumes, hair colorants) or allergies, whereas psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disease with a strong genetic component. Psoriasis (from the Greek psoera "to itch") appears as reddened, rough, raised, and slightly itchy skin covered with silvery, scaly flakes. There is no cure for psoriasis. Common locations are the elbows, hands, feet, and lower back, although some outbreaks include an itchy scalp. Psoriasis can affect the joints and cause arthritis-like symptoms." I imagine he's quite uncomfortable. Hope he gets some relief soon.
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roarah
7 months ago
I have it and the only thing that helps mine is hydrocortisone. I had a script for a high percent but otc cream for my elbows or scalpacin for my scalp now help control it.
roarah
7 months ago
Oh also check your vitamin D levels.
Oakley
Original Author
7 months ago
Roarah, I couldn't get my blood test last week because of no power but D is on the list to check because I had a low count a couple of years ago, main symptom was extreme fatigue because I've become lactose intolleran, and was put on D3. I'm so lazy at taking it though.

Just looked up scalpicin and it's Salicylic which I used for about a year to even out my skin tone and remove dry patches. I loved it, and it works. I'm a huge Neutrogena fan now thanks to Yaya. They're also less expensive.

The new shampoo I used yesterday has it and also coal tar.

Bpath, I forgot about Dr. Dray so I haver her up on YT right now. She recommends Selsun Blue as one of the treatments for both Psoriasis and Eczema/seborrheic dematitis. Doesnt cure it but helps it go away for awhile.

Bookwoman, here's a fast read article that explains the difference.

https://www.beaconhealthsystem.org/library/faqs/scalp-psoriasis-vs-seborrheic-dermatitis-whats-the-difference?content_id=FAQ-20058544#:~:text=Scalp%20psoriasis%20and%20seborrheic%20dermatitis,to%20extend%20beyond%20the%20hairline.

The scales at the hairline only, and it begins behind the line, are completely flat and dry. S.D. doesn't spread to other parts of the scalp, but I have two little raised soft/oily patches that where I can scrape them off. I only scraped a patch one time then read that can cause hair loss and to stop. Also to barely scratch an itch.

Now I think the huge area on my elbow could be psoriasis and I can make it go away if I use CeraVe daily. Here's the thing, It's on my left elbow and I lay on my left side with elbow on the pill while reading or playing with my Ipad. I ignored it until the other night it itched like crazy and I scratched it so hard I broke the skin. Once I put CeraVe (Dr. Dray is a huge fan) on it's a miracle at what it does. She also recommends the same gel on the lips and I started doing that instead of chapstick of any kind.

Not proofreading. lol

CeraVe Healing Ointment | Moisturizing Petrolatum Skin Protectant for Dry Skin with Hyaluronic Acid and Ceramides | Lanolin Free & Fragrance Free | 5

CeraVe
Judi
7 months ago
last modified: 7 months ago
test

Stress, diet, heredity, the list is endless. Everyone presents differently with psoriasis.

I've had it predominantly on my left leg. Initially a silver dollar sized spot and now encompassing a much larger area. A prescription ointment stops the itch, but usually only for a few days.

I occasionally get it behind my ears. I've used Vanicream, Vaseline, and lately La Roche Posay.

Diet is sometimes implicated. Stay away from sugars, alcohol, processed foods, fried foods, candy, soda, etc. Eat lots of fruit and veggies.

In the end, it's all a c@#p shoot.

I also have psoriatic arthritis and take Humira for that. It may keep the psoriasis more in check, or it may not.
Eileen
7 months ago
If it's a small spot, it could be actinic keratosis. I get it on my back and scalp. My internist freezes them off during my annual check-up.
Oakley
Original Author
7 months ago
Judy, I need to look up psoriatic arthritis. I have osteoarthritis around both thumbs but it only flares up when I'm using them a lot.

Eileen, I looked up pictures of AK and I know I have more than a few on my legs.

After I hit send on my last post I felt like DH and I felt when DH1 came home from 1st grade with headlice. We both had uncontrollable itching, but never any lice. When I hit send my whole head, neck and eyes were itching like crazy. then it stopped.

I ordred an eylid cleanser which helps take off dry patches on the corners of our eyes, keeps the lids, lashes clean, and also to use it on eyebrows. Even though I don't wear makeup that much, it said at "our age" we need it for the health of our eyes.

Scalp Psoriasis aka Plaque Psoriasis

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bpath

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Scalp Psoriasis aka Plaque Psoriasis

Comments (8)

bpath

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roarah

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