Why Is My Scalp So Itchy? 8 Possible Explanations
Medical review by Ted Schiff, MD
The scalp is one of those parts of the body you don’t usually think about — unless it constantly itches. If it does, you know the particular torture itching can cause. Because there are so many possible causes of itchy scalp, you may need the help of a dermatologist to solve the mystery of “Why is my scalp so itchy?” Plus, itchy scalp treatment may include medications that are available only by prescription.
Below are eight conditions that could have you scratching your head.
1. Dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis
The most common reason for an itchy scalp is dandruff, which causes annoying flakes of dead skin that fall from the scalp. Dandruff affects only the scalp, and the flakes are usually small and white or yellowish-white.
A more severe form of dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, can affect other parts of the body in addition to the scalp, such as the face and upper chest. Unlike dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis also causes scaling and inflammation, and the flakes are greasy and typically more yellow than white.
Dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis can be caused by oily and irritated skin, dry skin or a type of fungus called malasezzia.
What to do: In most cases, you can treat dandruff with a dandruff shampoo. See your dermatologist if it doesn’t help or if you have symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis.
2. Head lice
Head lice are parasites that live on the scalp and sometimes the eyebrows and eyelashes. Children are usually the ones to get head lice, but the critters can spread to people of any age. In addition to itching, you may experience a tickling feeling caused by crawling of the lice. Scratching may cause sores on your head.
What to do: You may be able to get rid of lice at home using an over-the-counter permethrin lotion (Nix), but it’s smart to confirm the diagnosis with a dermatologist first. If symptoms persist, the dermatologist may recommend a prescription treatment.
3. Scabies
Scabies occurs when the top layer of skin is infested with mites (Sarcoptes scabiei) that lay their eggs there. The itching can be intense, especially at night, and you’ll see a pimple-like rash. Scabies can affect the scalp, but in adults, it usually affects other areas instead. Scabies in babies and very young children may affect much of the body, including the scalp.
Anyone can get scabies, but it’s more common in places such as nursing homes and childcare facilities, where people share close quarters and tend to have body and skin contact.
What to do: See a doctor or dermatologist. Scabies can be treated only with prescription medications called scabicides.
4. Psoriasis
This autoimmune disease causes the body to produce skin cells too rapidly. The cells accumulate and form patches or spots. The most common type of psoriasis, plaque psoriasis, causes itching, scaliness and patches of thick, red skin (plaques), often on the elbows, knees and the lower back.
Scalp psoriasis can cause a dry, itchy, flaky scalp, silvery-white scales and red, bumpy patches. The symptoms may extend to the forehead, back of the neck and behind the ears. Unlike seborrheic dermatitis, which can crop up throughout the scalp, scalp psoriasis tends to have a very clear beginning and end.
What to do: See a dermatologist. If the doctor suspects psoriasis, they may refer you to a rheumatologist for treatment.
5. Ringworm (tinea capitis)
When ringworm affects the scalp, it’s called tinea capitis. Despite its name, ringworm is caused by a fungal infection, not worms. The rash appears as ring-shaped patches, which may be pink or red in people with light skin and brown or gray in those with dark skin. The patches are flat with a raised, scaly border, and they can be extremely itchy.
Ringworm is more common in children, but adults can get it, too, particularly postmenopausal women and people who have a compromised immune system.
What to do: Visit your dermatologist. Using an anti-fungal shampoo can be helpful in treating ringworm, but you’ll also need to take prescription anti-fungal medication to get of it.
6. Contact dermatitis or atopic dermatitis (eczema)
An itchy rash on your scalp may be a sign of contact dermatitis, which is triggered by contact with something that irritates your skin or something you’re allergic to. An ingredient in your shampoo, conditioner, hair dye (particularly black hair dye) or another product that touches your scalp is usually the culprit. In addition to being itchy, contact dermatitis can cause redness, inflammation and sores.
Another form of dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, can affect the scalp and cause itching. It usually develops in people with a personal or family history of asthma or hay fever. Other symptoms you may notice include dry, cracked and discolored skin. Atopic dermatitis is a chronic condition that comes and goes throughout your life.
What to do: For contact dermatitis, avoid the products that cause your symptoms. If you’re having trouble identifying them, see your dermatologist for help. If you think you may have atopic dermatitis, visit a dermatologist, who will develop an individualized treatment plan for you.
7. Scarring alopecia
Some cases of scarring alopecia, also called cicatricial alopecia, can make the scalp itch. In this condition, inflammation damages the hair follicles, causing scarring and patchy hair loss. The cause of the inflammation often isn’t clear, though in some people, a serious infection or a trauma such as a burn may be responsible.
What to do: See a dermatologist ASAP. While the hair loss is permanent, early treatment can prevent further hair loss and scarring.
8. Skin cancer
Itching on the scalp that coincides with a new growth or other skin change on the scalp can be a sign of skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma can all appear on the scalp.
What to do: If you notice any skin change on your scalp, such as a flesh-colored waxy bump, a firm red bump, a flat lesion, a scaly patch, a large brown spot, a recurring sore or a mole that follows the ABCDE rules, get it checked by your dermatologist right away.
Written by Jessica Brown, a health and science writer/editor based in Nanuet, New York. She has written for Prevention magazine, jnj.com, BCRF.org, and many other outlets.
Lotion vs. Cream vs. Ointment: Which to Use When
Medical review by Jennifer Rivera, APRN
Creams, lotions, ointments — they’re all more or less the same, right? Wrong. If you use one moisturizing product for everything, you could be missing out on more effective treatment, whether you’re battling dry skin, oily skin, cracked heels, chapped lips, psoriasis, or other skin challenges.
To know when to use a lotion vs. a cream vs. an ointment helps to understand the differences. The ingredients vary, but all three are ultimately a combination of water and oil in different ratios. Those ratios determine how moisturizing they are, how well they prevent the body’s own moisture from evaporating from the skin, and how light or heavy they feel.
Lotion vs. cream
The main difference between a lotion and a cream is the water content, which also dictates the thickness.
Lotions
Lotions contain more water than creams and are, therefore, thinner. They are typically formulated with lightweight ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, which is hydrating and skin-plumping without leaving a residue or clogging pores, resulting in more frequent applications.
Uses: Lotion is best for people with normal to oily skin and those who live in warm, humid climates. Some lotions are oil-free. Lighter moisturizing ingredients, such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid, are used instead. These can be a good choice if you have acne-prone skin.
Tip: Because they contain more water, lotions require more preservatives. If your lotion irritates your skin, it could be the preservative. Try another brand, or switch to a cream. For best absorption, apply within 5 min of showering on slightly damp skin.
Recommended products:
- Elta MD UV Clear with Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 (Face: acne/rosacea/oily)
- Elta MD UV Daily Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 (Face: Normal/Combination)
- Wederm 15% Glycolic Body Lotion (body)
- Vanicream Moisturizing Lotion (face and body)
- Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Sheer Hydration Lotion (body)
- Eucerin Advanced Repair Lotion (Body and face)
Creams
Creams are thicker than lotions because they contain more oil — typically, they are composed of about half oil and half water. They also contain heavier ingredients, such as lanolin and shea butter. Creams absorb into the skin less rapidly than lotions. Most creams come in a jar or a squeeze tube versus a pump bottle.
In addition to emollients (fats and oils that soften skin) and/or humectants (substances that hydrate the skin by attracting water from deeper layers), some creams contain occlusives, heavy ingredients that form a film, or barrier between the skin and the environment, which prevents moisture from escaping.
Uses: Reach for cream if you have dry skin, sensitive skin or you live in a cold or dry climate. Creams are also helpful for rough spots such as the elbows and heels and for dry hands. Because the skin produces less natural oil with age, many anti-aging face moisturizers come in cream formulas. Products intended to treat skin conditions such as rashes and eczema are also often creams.
Tip: Creams that contain ceramides, such as CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, help shore up the skin’s barrier function. If you’re developing irritation from wearing a face mask, try applying a cream that contains a ceramide before you put your mask on.
Recommended products:
- Wederm Restorative Lipid Replenishing Cream (face)
- Olay Regenerist Ultra Rich Moisturizer (face)
- Eucerin Original Healing Cream (body)
- CeraVe Moisturizing Cream (body)
- Eucerin Advanced Repair Hand Cream (hands)
Balms
Balms are thicker than creams but not quite as thick as ointments. Unlike creams, they don’t contain water. Their texture is typically paste-like or waxy. Beeswax is a common ingredient.
Uses: Lip and foot balm are among the most common balms. Many anti-chafing and blister-blocking products are available as balms.
Tip: For men with dry skin, beard balm is a great way to keep the skin under a beard moisturized.
Recommended products:
- Aveeno Cracked Skin Relief CICA Balm
- Aveeno Eczema Therapy Itch Relief Balm
Ointment vs. cream
Creams are thicker than lotions, and ointments are thicker still, and greasier. An occlusive such as mineral oil or petrolatum (petroleum jelly) is the main ingredient. Medicated products such as topical antibiotics often come in ointment form because ointments stay on the skin longer.
Uses: Ointments are beneficial for very dry, chapped or cracked areas of skin, such as dry heels and psoriasis patches. The ointment is also a good choice for people whose hands are very dry and chapped due to frequent hand-washing. For dry, chapped lips, ointments keep moisture sealed in longer than waxes or balms do. An ointment may be applied to a minor wound before a bandage is placed on it to help seal in moisture, which aids in healing.
Tip: If you find ointments too greasy to use during the day, use a cream during the day and an ointment at night, under a pair of cotton gloves or socks. For extreme hydration, an ointment can be applied under occlusion with the guidance of your healthcare professional.
Recommended products:
- Aquaphor Healing Ointment
- Vaseline Healing Jelly Original
- Vanicream Moisturizing Ointment
- CeraVe Healing Ointment
- Vaseline Lip Therapy
- Neosporin Lip Health Overnight Renewal Therapy
Written by Jessica Brown, a health and science writer/editor based in Brooklyn, New York. Her work has appeared in Prevention, Johnson & Johnson, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and many more.
Skin Signs of Heart Disease
Medical review by John Minni, DO
Your eyes may be the window to your soul, but your skin can reveal what’s in your heart — or at least offer clues that something in your cardiovascular system might be amiss. Who would have thought that in some cases, for instance, a skin rash can suggest a risk of heart disease? Or that certain conditions that slow down blood circulation can change the skin’s appearance?
Read on to discover some of the hidden connections between the skin and the heart.
Psoriasis
What’s the link between psoriasis and heart disease? People with this skin condition appear to have an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
"It’s a hot topic in dermatology,” said Dr. John Minni, DO, a board-certified dermatologist and psoriasis expert at Water’s Edge Dermatology.
Psoriasis involves chronic inflammation, which causes the skin to develop scales that often hurt and itch. (It also causes changes to the fingernails and toenails.) That same inflammation wreaks havoc throughout the body, including the arteries that feed the brain and heart, damaging them in ways that make clots more likely to form.
There’s still a lot to learn about the link between psoriasis and cardiovascular disease. For example, is the risk for a heart attack even higher if you also have psoriatic arthritis, which is common in people with psoriasis? “We think so, but we’re not sure yet,” said Dr. Minni.
Can controlling your psoriasis lower your odds of developing heart disease or having a stroke? That’s a promising area of research — and potentially another good reason for you to take a biologic or another medication that has anti-inflammatory effects if your doctor has prescribed one. “It’s going to help with your overall health, not just make a rash go away,” said Dr. Minni.
Lower-leg skin and vein changes
Are your lower legs and ankles swollen? Has the skin there developed a leathery look? Does it flake or itch? These could be signs of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), which occurs when malfunctioning veins can’t push blood back to the heart efficiently, causing it to pool in the lower limbs. Another possible sign of CVI include varicose veins. In severe cases, you can develop sores that won’t heal.
A temporary first treatment for CVI is to wear compression garments. Minimally invasive procedures offer a permanent treatment by closing off damaged veins and rerouting blood flow.
Cold feet and shiny, hairless legs
If you have peripheral artery disease (PAD), which occurs when narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs, your legs and feet may feel cold. Your legs might also lose hair, appear shiny and turn pale when elevated. Your toes might turn blueish-purple.
Medication can improve blood flow and help prevent PAD from worsening, though sometimes bypass surgery is necessary to reroute blood flow around a clogged artery. In other cases, a doctor can unclog a blocked leg artery with a less invasive procedure called angioplasty.
Pale, thickened nails
If your fingernails and toenails turn pale and thicken, it could be a sign of PAD, though pale nails can also be a sign of other medical conditions.
Reddish or brownish streaks in nails
These streaks are splinter hemorrhages, which can look like tiny shreds of wood under the nail. Rarely, splinter hemorrhages can be caused by a heart valve infection, a condition called vasculitis that involves blood vessel inflammation, or tiny clots in the capillaries under the nails. It’s much more likely, however, that you simply whacked or stubbed your nail.
Orange-yellow bumps
People who have very high levels of cholesterol or blood fats called triglycerides may develop eruptive xanthomatosis, a rash that can cover a large swath of skin. The waxy, pea-sized bumps can show up anywhere on your body but often appear on the legs, arms, shoulders and backside. In some cases, Dr. Minni notes, eruptive xanthomatosis occurs in people with an inherited condition that causes extremely high cholesterol.
The bumps may go away on their own after a few weeks, but a cardiologist will likely prescribe treatment to bring your cholesterol and triglycerides under control.
Written by Timothy Gower, an award-winning journalist who writes about medicine and health. His work has appeared in more than two dozen national magazines.
What Causes Dry Skin?
Many people experience dry skin, known to doctors as xerosis cutis, at some point in their lives. Dry skin occurs when the skin loses too much water or oil, making the skin flake and feel tight. It may also itch or crack. But what are the root causes of dry skin?
The list is long. It could be that the soap you use is too harsh, the baths or showers you take are too hot or the air you’re living in is too dry. Or it could be something else entirely.
If you’ve been struggling with dry skin and can’t figure out why, consider these potential triggers.
Environmental Causes
The world around you can conspire to rob your skin of water and oil.
- The weather. Many people are plagued by dry skin in the winter due to colder temperatures and lower humidity. Dry skin can be a year-round problem for those who live in a cold climate or a hot, low-humidity climate.
- Indoor heating. In winter you spend more time indoors, where you’re exposed to dry, heated air. Heating indoor air — whether via central heating, a fireplace, a wood-burning stove or space heater — lowers the humidity and saps moisture from your skin.
- Sun exposure. Heat from the sun also leaves skin parched. If you’ve accumulated a lot of sun damage, your skin may look dry and rough all the time.
Lifestyle Causes
Some of your daily habits could be contributing to dry skin.
Frequent bathing. Long and/or hot showers and baths break down the skin’s lipid barrier, which seals in moisture.
Harsh soaps and detergents. Deodorant and antibacterial soaps rob the skin of natural oils. Even a caustic laundry detergent can trigger dry, itchy skin.
Harsh facial skincare products. If you’re using certain acne products or a high-concentration retinol product, for example, you may see dry, flaky skin on your face.
Smoking. Smoking accelerates the aging process in several ways and can lead to dry, coarse skin.
Frequent hand washing. People who must wash their hands frequently, such as healthcare professionals and cooks, are vulnerable to dry skin. Constantly wetting and drying your hands can break down the skin barrier. And when any water that remains on the skin evaporates, it reduces oil in the skin. This is also why handwashing is a common hand eczema trigger.
Exercising outdoors. If you do most of your workouts outdoors, your dryness may be due to exposure to the sun and wind, which causes moisture to evaporate from your skin.
Swimming in pools. Swimming in any pool can dry out the skin. A heavily chlorinated pool can dry it out even more thanks to the chemicals in the water.
RELATED: How to Heal Dry, Cracked Hands
Genetics and Aging
People who have fair, brown or black skin are more likely to develop dry skin than those who have a medium complexion, such as those with a Mediterranean background. Genetics may also dictate how well your skin barrier functions.
As you age your skin produces less sebum, the oily substance that protects the skin and keeps it moisturized. For women, the most dramatic drop in sebum production occurs in their 40s and continues to decline from there. Loss of sebum production happens later in life for men.
Medical Causes
Certain medications. Dry skin is a side effect of several types of drugs, including certain drugs used to treat high blood pressure, high cholesterol, allergies, and acne.
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Being low on zinc, vitamin A, vitamin D, niacin or iron can make your skin dry. People who are malnourished in general, including those with anorexia, are susceptible to dry, yellowish skin.
Certain skin conditions. Dryness often goes hand-in-hand with eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis and fungal infections such as athlete’s foot.
Diabetes. Dry, scaly skin is common in people with diabetes. In fact, skin changes are sometimes the first sign a person has the disease. When blood sugar levels are high, the body pulls fluid from cells in order to make enough urine to excrete the sugar from the body. As a result, the skin becomes dry. Other causes of parched skin include in people with diabetes include fungal infections and nerve damage, which can interfere with the production of skin-softening perspiration.
Hypothyroidism. An underactive thyroid can cause dry skin. The thyroid hormones regulate many bodily functions, including the turnover of dead skin cells. When thyroid hormone levels are low, it takes far longer for dead skin cells to be shed and replaced by new ones, so skin looks dry and flaky.
Kidney disease. People in the later stages of kidney disease develop extremely dry, often itchy skin that feels rough and cracks easily. The cause is chronic dehydration and, in the end-stage of the condition, shrinking sweat and sebaceous glands.
HIV. Because people with HIV have a weakened immune system, they’re more likely to develop certain skin conditions that cause dryness, including seborrheic dermatitis and fungal infections.
For most people, using the right moisturizer, switching from soap to a gentler cleanser in the shower, choosing a hydrating facial cleanser, and shortening showers and baths goes a long way toward helping the skin retain the moisture it needs. A humidifier can help solve the problem of dry indoor air.
But if your dry skin continues, or you’re not sure what’s causing it, your dermatologist can take a medical history, perform a skin evaluation and devise a treatment plan for you.
Article Written By: Jessica Brown, a health and science writer/editor based in Brooklyn, New York. Her work has appeared in Prevention, Johnson & Johnson, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and many more.
New Treatments May Offer Effective Results For Patients With Psoriasis
When it comes to common skin conditions, people are likely to think of acne or skin cancer, two problems often treated by dermatology and skin cancer specialists. But while around 40% of teenagers will develop acne, and more than 2 million people are diagnosed with nonmelanomic skin cancer every year, another popular skin condition deserves attention: psoriasis.
There are a number of different types of psoriasis, but the disease is typically distinguished by red, irritated patches on the skin and nails. In at least one form of the disorder, it can be difficult to tell the difference between psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis, another irritating skin condition which targets the scalp and ears. Fortunately, once the disease is diagnosed, dermatologists can utilize a number of topical treatments, pills or injections, and light therapies to treat the irritation and skin patches. Biologic medications may even be used to treat severe or disabling cases. And therapies continue to improve and innovate: recently, a Swiss pharmaceutical company announced that one of their products has been shown to be effective at treating moderate to severe psoriasis.
Novartis, a multinational company based in Switzerland, recently presented their study on a product called secukinumab to the European Association of Dermatology and Venereology Congress in the Netherlands. Secukinumab is designed to treat plaque psoriasis, the most common form of the disorder, which features inflamed, scaly, red skin. Currently, the treatment is being touted as an effective way to improve psoriasis symptoms, improving and preventing joint damage, and importantly showing no negative impacts on patient health. And while this product likely won't be available to dermatologist clinics and doctors for some time, Novartis's recent presentation is only the most recent step towards having the medication accepted as a treatment: previously, the company submitted secukinumab to regulatory organizations in both the United States and Europe.
Due to the discomfort, joint damage, and unappealing appearance of the many different types of psoriasis, getting proper treatment is typically very important to patients who want to live life comfortably and without undue anxiety. While treatments like secukinumab are still being tested for their effectiveness and safety, there are a variety of other treatment options which can be prescribed by a dermatologist. If you or a loved one is suffering from the effects of psoriasis, schedule an appointment at a dermatologist clinic today to discuss how best to treat this common skin condition.
Banish Psoriasis Flare-Ups
Psoriasis itch is different from most skin conditions, and it can make cooler months miserable times. This year, tackle your psoriasis head-on with these tips, so you can enjoy your holiday season.
- Moisturize, moisturize and moisturize some more! The National Psoriasis Foundation suggests using a heavy cream or ointment to lock-in water. This helps control the itch and allows the skin to heal.
- Stay healthy. Psoriasis flare-ups are more likely when you’re ill, so rest up and wash your hands. Just remember to moisturize again after washing.
- Relax. Whether you choose a massage, a great workout or a spa trip, reducing your stress will keep psoriasis itch and pain at bay. Plus, holidays are just more fun without stress.
- Make hydration a priority. Drinking lots of water can help you hold on to more water in your skin, and it’ll help you stay healthy.
- Stay comfortable. Wear soft layers to avoid irritating your skin, and keep your humidifier running so your skin won’t lose moisture to your indoor heating.
Be sure to talk to your Water’s Edge dermatologist if the cooler, dry air causes your psoriasis to act up.
Signs and Symptoms of Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a heredity skin disease that is often a lifelong condition. Psoriasis is a chronic disease that affects the skin and joints. Usually your skin “turns over” every 30 to 60 days, but with psoriasis, it occurs every 9 to 12 days. The skin cells are not shed and it creates a layer of excess skin cells over the skin. This appears as patches of red or white scaly, itchy skin.
Proper diagnosis is the first step to psoriasis skin treatment. Water’s Edge is your psoriasis treatment center. Your medical dermatologists can help with diagnosis and a variety of effective treatment options.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Psoriasis Skin Disease
- Areas of red, inflamed skin, covered with white scales. These areas of red are called plaques. Scales are the silvery-white coating over the plaque.
- Psoriasis plaques can itch and can be painful.
- Plaques can appear anywhere on the skin. They are most common on the knees, elbows, lower back and scalp.
- Patches of plaques vary in size and can often merge together into a larger patch.
- Crumbling or detached nails. Discoloration and pits in the nails may occur.
- Flakey, white scales on the scalp.
- Bleeding areas where skin is scratched.
Read more about psoriasis skin disease here.
There is no cure for psoriasis. However, it can be controlled with treatments.
Don’t let your psoriasis rule your life. Schedule a consultation with your Water’s Edge medical dermatologist today.
Don’t give up. You can live with Psoriasis.
As difficult as the physical symptoms of psoriasis can be, the effect on an individual has emotional and social effects that are even more challenging. Studies have shown that psoriasis can have the same impact on quality of life as congestive heart failure or diabetes. It can be demoralizing to live with skin that’s different, and embarrassing to have people stare at you – or even avoid you – as if you had something contagious.
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease that appears on the skin. It happens when skin cells quickly rise from below the surface of the skin and pile up before they have a chance to mature.
The good news is that people don’t have to let psoriasis affect their quality of life. At Water’s Edge Dermatology, our practitioners are trained and experienced in treating psoriasis. We all have experience in treating this chronic condition. While there’s no cure yet, there’s plenty we can do together to make the psoriasis patient’s quality of life more manageable.
If you are suffering from psoriasis, it’s important to know that you’re not alone. As many as 7.5 million Americans deal with the challenges of psoriasis. With today’s treatments, you can live the life you want. Evolving treatments can improve the symptoms of psoriasis or even send them into remission. With patience and persistence, psoriasis patients can get back the life they want.
One question patients always seem to ask is “How severe is my psoriasis?” One way to measure the severity is how much of the body is covered. Mild is less than 3% of the body is covered. Moderate is 3% to 10% and Severe is more than 10%. A patch of psoriasis the size of the palm of your hand is equal to about 1% of your body surface.
Psoriasis often appears between the ages of 15 and 35, but can affect people of all ages and races, men and women equally. After treatment, it will often clear up for months, only to start again. Up to 30% of those with psoriasis also eventually develop psoriatic arthritis, which causes stiffness and swelling in and around the joints.
Putting together a successful treatment plan for the psoriasis patient depends on several factors. First, your practitioner will consider the amount of your body surface covered by the disease. But even more important is the severity of the patient’s symptoms and how they affect the quality of life.
How the patient feels about having the disease is very personal. One person may not be troubled by patches of psoriasis that can be kept covered. Someone else who has small patches on an area clearly visible may feel very embarrassed and want to try a more aggressive treatment.
Psoriasis is a non-contagious common skin condition that causes rapid skin cell reproduction resulting, in red, dry patches of thickened skin.
Guttate Psoriais looks like small salmon-pink drops on the skin.
At Water’s Edge Dermatology, our practitioners work with patients to determine what the patient wants from treatment, how long the patient has had the disease and what treatments have already been tried. This information is factored into the patient’s lifestyle, overall health and severity of symptoms. The most important factor in treatment is to follow the treatment plan that is developed exactly.
Treatment is dependant on the severity of the disease. Topical drugs may be used in mild to moderate cases of psoriasis. These topical drugs may be medicated lotions, ointments, creams, gels or shampoos. Most require a prescription.
Phototherapy uses ultraviolet light to treat moderate to severe psoriasis. There are three types of phototherapy. Ultraviolet B (UVB) – The patient’s skin is exposed to UVB rays generated from a special lamp or laser. The exposure causes reactions in skin cells that decrease their overproduction and help clear up plaques. Psoralen and Ultraviolet A (PUVA) – The patient ingests, applies topically or bathes in a drug called psoralen, then undergoes UVA exposure. The combination of the drug and the ultraviolet light slows skin cell growth. Excimer laser – A controlled beam of UVB light targets only affected areas, reducing inflammation and fast-growing skin cells. This treatment is appropriate for patients with very localized, mild disease. Body-wide medications – Moderate or severe psoriasis that has resisted other types of treatment may be treated with medications that treat your entire system. These medications may be taken orally, injected or infused by IV. They include Acitretin, Cyclosporine, Methotrexate, Alefacept, Adalimumab, Etanercept, Golimumab, Infliximab and Ustekinumab.
Psoriasis of the scalp may have fine, dry, scaly skin or have heavily crusted plaque areas. Psoriasis may only involve the nails.
Alternative approaches include sun and water therapy – short exposure to daily sunlight and the addition of water-ocean, hot springs or hot tub-helps soften plaques. Meditation can encourage an improved immune system response. Yoga teaches meditation and controlled breathing, which reduce stress (a common trigger). Nonprescription topical treatments, including aloe vera, evening primrose oil and capscaicin have all proven effective in clinical trials.
Medical treatment will go a long way toward helping the psoriasis patient control the disease. Making lifestyle changes can also be helpful in easing skin discomfort and minimizing periodic flare-ups. Adequate sleep, eating a balanced diet, regular physical exercise and drinking plenty of water will keep stress levels down and the body in top condition to fight off infection.
Diseases of the skin, like psoriasis, are reasons why everyone should have an annual skin examination by a dermatologist. At Water’s Edge Dermatology, our practitioners are highly experienced in psoriasis and all diseases of the skin. If you have any questions about psoriasis or other questions relating to skin care, Email them to me below. And if you haven’t had a skin examination in the past year, call one of our convenient locations for an appointment.