Psoriasis scalp treatment is very often needed. More than half of all people with psoriasis have it on their scalp.
With scalp psoriasis, skin cells grow too quickly and cause red lesions covered with scales to appear. Most people with scalp psoriasis have psoriasis on other parts of the body as well.
Scalp psoriasis can be very mild, or severe where it covers the whole scalp and causes hair loss. The important thing with scalp psoriasis treatment is to get the proper treatment before the condition worsens. With proper psoriasis scalp treatment, this condition is controllable.
Treatment Options
There are many treatment options for scalp psoriasis. In this section we will discuss some of the common treatments, shampoos, prescription products, and natural Dead Sea options. Generally speaking, we at the Healthy Skin Guide prefer the Dead Sea related psoriasis scalp products. They work faster, and have none of the side effects of other psoriasis scalp treatments. They also have other benefits for the skin and body. To find the best and most effective Dead Sea Psoriasis Shampoo, follow this link. If you would like to read more about the benefits of Dead Sea products and why they might be right for you, please continue to read.
Before discussing the Dead Sea related treatments, let’s discuss some traditional psoriasis treatments:
Tar products – are available over the counter, or in stronger dosage by prescription. Tar is effective for some. There are drawbacks though: It stains clothing and any bedding it is exposed to. It can have a staining effect on your hair. It also has a terrible odor, and can cause your hair to smell for long periods of time. Effectiveness varies from person to person.
Topical corticosteroid medications (steroids) – These medications are very effective, but have many severe side effects. Due to the side effects, they cannot be used long term. It is also common that when you stop using the steroids, the problem comes back worse. Some doctors will inject a type of steroid into the scalp. The idea of injecting steroids near the brain is strongly discouraged by all of us at the Healthy Skin Guide.
Anthralin – is a prescription medicine that many doctors recommend as a scalp psoriasis treatment. It works for some people, but there are drawbacks. It tends to stain anything it touches such as skin, clothing, bedding, etc. You need to wear gloves when applying this psoriasis medicine, and it is important not to get it on unaffected skin. Anthralin must be fresh to work, and has a shelf life of only 6 months.
Dovonex – It also is by prescription, and works for some. The many side effects of this psoriasis scalp treatment includes: skin irritation, dry skin, peeling, rash, dermatitis and worsening of psoriasis. You must be careful not to overuse Dovonex. The medication is absorbed into the body, so overuse can increase the side effects.
Tazorac – Also a prescription medication. 40 percent of patients using Tazorac experience some side effects. Side effects include itching, burning/stinging, redness, irritation, swelling, dryness or skin pain may occur. If these persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. Tazorac is not recommended for use by pregnant women, women attempting to become pregnant or women who are breast-feeding. Tazorac has no effect on sperm, so it is safe for a woman to become pregnant while her partner is using the medication. It is not considered the most effective psoriasis scalp treatment.
Ultraviolet light – UV treatments are very controversial. While they are effective for many patients, they cause the skin to prematurely age. More importantly, the more treatments you have the more at risk you are for developing skin cancer. For this reason we do not recommend UV for psoriasis scalp treatment.
Systemic scalp psoriasis treatment – includes Methotrexate, Oral Retinoids, Cyclosporine and Biologic medications. These are prescription medications for severe cases. They all have severe side effects, so they can only be used for short periods of time. Hair loss can be one of the most troublesome side effects of certain systemic psoriasis treatments. Oral retinoids commonly cause loss of eyebrows and eyelashes, as well as scalp hair. Methotrexate also can trigger hair loss, although that is uncommon. Ordinarily, the hair will grow back when the medication is stopped.
Dead Sea Psoriasis Scalp Treatment
Dead Sea products are well known as being very effective treatments for scalp psoriasis. The Dead Sea is unlike any other body of water. It is about 400 meters (1300 feet) below sea level, and is the lowest spot on earth. The waters of the Dead Sea are unique, having a total salt concentration that is 10 times higher than ocean water. The composition of the Dead Sea is also unique. It contains the highest levels of magnesium, sodium, potassium, bromides, sulfates and other rare minerals in comparison to any other body of salt water in the world, including the oceans. Because of the high concentration of salts and minerals, the water saturates the skin, prevents dryness and retains moisture. Additionally Dead Sea products contain relaxing natural oils that prevent dehydration.
The therapeutic effects of bathing in the Dead Sea are well known especially in treating scalp psoriasis. The skin is the largest organ in the body, and seems to have the most noticeable effect from Dead Sea salt. The skin absorbs Dead Sea salt, vitamins and other substances into the body. It is universally accepted that Dead Sea salts and vitamins can have a wonderful effect on circulation and metabolism.
Numerous studies have proven the benefits of using Dead Sea salt products for scalp psoriasis. The benefits include:
- Scalp psoriasis sufferers notice improvement in their condition, and it reduces future outbreaks. They are ideal psoriasis scalp treatments.
- Dry skin that deteriorates with age benefits from Dead Sea salt products that cleanse the skin replacing the missing electrolytes.
- The Dead Sea salts guards against moisture loss and rejuvenate the skin.
- Dead Sea salt improves cell metabolism because of its high magnesium content. Dead Sea salt also contributes to cell restoration and regeneration.
- Dead Sea salt acts as a disinfectant and helps remove harmful substances from the skin.
- Dead Sea mud’s improve the skin’s permeability. This is ideal for scalp skin problems and prevents aging.
- Magnesium is the Dead Sea salt agent responsible for aiding psoriasis patients and works well as an anti-allergic agent.
- Dead Sea salt contains a natural tar called Bitumen that acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. Bitumen is currently being studied as an effective psoriasis scalp treatment.
- Dead Sea salt products help cleanse and remove impurities.
Although is not entirely known why the Dead Sea salt psoriasis salts, mud’s and minerals have these healing powers, it has been proven in many case studies that they work, and are the best treatment option for scalp psoriasis. There are also no negative side effects associated with any Dead Sea products.
At Healthy Skin Guide, we have treated many scalp psoriasis patients. Many patients say that they used medication after medication with mixed results, and suffered side effects. After trying the Dead Sea psoriasis scalp treatments, they finally get the results they need. The Dead Sea treatments work better and faster than any other product on scalp psoriasis.
There are many products that call themselves Dead Sea products because they are formulated with the same minerals found in the Dead Sea. They do not work as well as actual Dead Sea products. It is important to only use actual Dead Sea products.
We have found a reliable source for Dead Sea psoriasis scalp treatment. This company only sells pure Dead Sea products. That means the ingredients are 100% from the Dead Sea. Take a look at the Ahava Dead Sea Products on Amazon for more information on how Dead Sea products can help you.
If you have any questions about scalp psoriasis, or any psoriasis scalp treatment, please contact us.
More than Psoriasis Scalp Treatment on our What is Psoriasis Page
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