What Does Plaque Psoriasis Of The Scalp Look Like – Medically Reviewed Clare Wightman MS, PAC, Dermatology, Medical Research — By Katherine Brind’Amour — Updated June 30, 2022
Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease. It is considered an immune-mediated disease, which means that the immune system is acting abnormally. There are different types of psoriasis and it is possible to have more than one type.
What Does Plaque Psoriasis Of The Scalp Look Like
Psoriasis usually damages the skin, causing skin cells to accumulate more quickly than usual. It can also affect other organ systems, especially the joints.
Psoriasis Pictures & Symptoms
About 7.5 million US adults over the age of 20 have psoriasis—a 3 percent prevalence rate (incidence of the condition). By race and ethnicity, prevalence rates are:
Psoriasis tends to be pink or red in people with fair or fair skin, with silvery-white scales. On medium skin tones, a salmon silvery white scale may appear. On darker skin tones, psoriasis can appear purple, brown, or reddish brown with often lighter or gray patches.
There is limited research and information on the management and diagnosis of psoriasis in people of color. A 2014 study found that the prevalence of psoriasis was among adults over the age of 20
These numbers may not tell the whole story, as people of color may be disproportionately undertreated and misdiagnosed. This is because psoriasis is not always recognized in darker skin tones as it is in people with lighter skin.
What Is Plaque Psoriasis? Symptoms, Treatments, And More
Psoriasis can cause mental stress, anxiety and low self-esteem. Depression is also common in people with psoriasis.
There are also subcategories of psoriasis types. They appear differently depending on the location of the body. Psoriasis is not contagious, regardless of the type.
Psoriasis patches on darker skin tones may also be more common, making diagnosis difficult.
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Plaque psoriasis or psoriasis vulgaris is the most common form of psoriasis. About 80% to 90% of people with psoriasis have plaque psoriasis. It is characterized by thick red or purple patches of skin, often with silvery-white or gray scales.
Ways To Treat Scalp Psoriasis, According To Dermatologists
The spots are usually 1 to 10 centimeters wide, but can also be larger and cover more of your body. If you scratch the scales, the symptoms will often worsen.
To ease the discomfort, your doctor may recommend using moisturizers to keep your skin from becoming too dry or irritated. This moisturizer includes an over-the-counter (OTC) cortisone cream or an ointment-based moisturizer.
In some cases, you may need light therapy. This involves exposing the skin to both ultraviolet (UV) A and UVB rays. Sometimes, treatment combines prescription oral medications, light therapy, and prescribed ointments to reduce inflammation.
In moderate to severe cases, you may be prescribed systemic medications by mouth, injection, or intravenous (IV) medication.
Types Of Psoriasis: Plaque, Guttate, Inverse, And More
Guttate psoriasis appears on the skin in red spots. In darker skin tones, these spots may appear purple or brown. This is the second most common type, affecting about 8% of people with psoriasis. In most cases, it begins in childhood or adolescence.
Spots are small, separate and droplet. They often appear on the trunk and limbs, but they can also appear on your face and scalp. The patches are usually not as thick as plaque psoriasis, but over time they can develop into plaque psoriasis.
Your doctor may prescribe steroid creams, light therapy, and oral medications to treat guttate psoriasis. Determining the cause of the infection can also help clear up guttate psoriasis. If the condition is caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotics may help.
Flexor or inverse psoriasis often appears in skin folds, such as under the breasts, armpits, or in the groin area. This type of psoriasis is red or purple and often shiny and smooth.
Scalp Psoriasis: Shampoos, Home Remedies, And Causes
Sweat and moisture from the skin folds keep this form of psoriasis from shedding the skin scales. Sometimes, it is misdiagnosed as a fungal or bacterial infection. Skin contact can make inverse psoriasis very uncomfortable.
Most people with inverse psoriasis also have a different form of psoriasis elsewhere on the body.
Your doctor may prescribe a lower strength steroid cream to prevent your skin from thinning too much. You may also benefit from taking or using medications that reduce the growth of yeast or bacteria.
Pustular psoriasis can sometimes be severe. This form of psoriasis can develop rapidly as multiple white pustules surrounded by red or darkened skin.
Types Of Psoriasis: Pictures, Symptoms And Treatments
Pustular psoriasis can affect isolated areas of your body, such as your hands and feet, or cover most of your skin’s surface. These pustules can also coalesce and form scaling. However, if it works
– such as the von Zumbusch subtype – can be life-threatening because it has severe systemic effects.
Some people experience cyclical periods of pustules and remission. Although ringworm is non-infectious, the condition can cause flu-like symptoms, such as:
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Treatment may include OTC or prescription corticosteroid creams, oral medications, or light therapy. Biological drugs may also be recommended.
Plaque Psoriasis Scalp Hi Res Stock Photography And Images
Erythrodermic psoriasis, or exfoliative psoriasis, is a rare type of psoriasis that appears as bright red or dark purple patches in people with darker skin tones, along with shedding. The situation is serious and urgent medical assistance is needed. You may need to be hospitalized because your body may not be able to regulate your body temperature.
This form of psoriasis is widespread, with red or purple skin and silvery scales. It can cover a large part of your body. Flaking often occurs in larger patches rather than the small scales typical of most psoriasis.
This may include using medicated wet dressings, topical steroid applications, biologics, or prescription oral medications until symptoms improve.
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a painful and physically limiting condition that affects 30% to 33% of people with psoriasis. There are five types of PsA with different symptoms. There is also no cure for this condition.
Psoriasis On The Face (facial Psoriasis)
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease, so it can make your body attack your joints and skin. It can affect many joints and often becomes quite severe in the hands and affects the nails. Skin symptoms usually appear before joint symptoms.
Treatment for psoriatic arthritis may include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen sodium (Aleve). NSAIDs can help reduce the swelling and pain associated with psoriatic arthritis.
Prescription medications, such as oral corticosteroids, can also help reduce the inflammation that causes psoriatic arthritis. Topical medications used to treat psoriatic arthritis include salicylic acid, calcipotriene, and tazarotene.
A unique class of medications known as disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) can help reduce inflammation and joint damage. Biologics, which are a subcategory of DMARDs, can be prescribed to reduce inflammation at the cellular level.
Best Shampoos For Scalp Psoriasis Recommended By Dermatologists
Although not an official type of psoriasis, nail psoriasis is a manifestation of psoriasis. This condition can often be confused with fungal infections and other nail infections.
Sometimes the nail can break and fall off. There is no cure for psoriatic nails, but some treatments can improve the health and appearance of nails.
Treatments for nail psoriasis are the same as those used for plaque psoriasis. It may take time to see the effects of this treatment because nails grow very slowly. Treatment options include:
Scalp psoriasis is common in people with plaque psoriasis. For some people, this can cause severe dandruff. For others, it can be painful, itchy and very noticeable near the hairline. Scalp psoriasis can spread to the neck, face, and ears in one large patch or many small patches.
Scalp Psoriasis With Increased Hair Density
In some cases, scalp psoriasis can make regular hair hygiene difficult. Excessive scratching can lead to hair loss and scalp infections. The condition can also lead to feelings of social stress.
Topical treatment is most often used for scalp psoriasis. They may require an initial 2 months of intensive applications, plus ongoing, regular maintenance. Treatment options include:
There is no cure for any form of psoriasis, but remission and significant healing are possible. Your doctor will work with you to develop a treatment plan to help manage your condition. You can also take steps to manage psoriasis at home.
Doctors can gradually develop the most effective treatment plan for your psoriasis symptoms. Most start with topical or mild therapy and only switch to systemic medications if the first line of treatment fails.
Scalp Psoriasis: What Dermatologists Wish You Knew
Stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions are common in people with psoriasis. You may benefit from therapy or support groups where you can meet other people who are experiencing similar problems or concerns.
You can also talk to a health professional about seeing a therapist who has experience with psoriasis. They will be able to help with ways to solve the problem.
There are different types of psoriasis that cause different symptoms. Although there is no cure for psoriasis, treatment can help relieve and manage symptoms. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned about your skin.
The type of psoriasis and its severity will determine your treatment. Generally speaking, milder cases with small patches of psoriasis can often be treated locally. More serious cases, with larger spots, may require systemic treatment.
A Deeper Look At Psoriasis
Many people believe that psoriasis is contagious, but it does not spread from person to person. Researchers believe that a combination of genetic and environmental factors and the immune system cause psoriasis.
Thanks to the advocacy work of dozens of psoriasis activists and organizations, psoriasis is also gaining more support and awareness. Talk to your doctor
