Scalp care and psoriasis

When you have psoriasis on your scalp, you need to treat your scalp, not your hair.

• Avoid digging, scratching, and picking at your scalp.
• Gently remove scales while shampooing. You can also use a scale-loosening product, such as mineral oil, peanut oil, or olive oil, or a medicated hair dressing. These are rubbed into your scalp at night, covered with a shower cap, left on overnight, and washed out in the morning.
• Shampoo as often as necessary to control scaling and allow medicines to reach the scalp. Work shampoo into a lather and let it stay on for at least 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing it out.
• Use products such as:
  • Mild coal tar shampoos (for example, Neutrogena T/Gel, Polytar, Zetar). Coal tar has an odor and can stain light-colored hair. Some coal tar preparations can be put on for several hours and then washed out.
  • Anthralin preparations (for example, Lasan, Dritho-Scalp). Anthralin can stain not only the skin, hair, and nails but also surfaces such as counters and tubs. This product is applied for a certain amount of time and then washed off.
  • Shampoos containing zinc pyrithione (for example, Danex, Head and Shoulders), selenium sulfide (for example, Exsel or Selsun), or chloroxine (for example, Capitrol). These products may help treat mild psoriasis.

If these methods fail, your doctor may prescribe a stronger corticosteroid solution, such as 1% fluocinolone acetonide (for example, Synalar). Limit use to 1 to 2 weeks to avoid rebound psoriasis (return of more severe psoriasis after treatment).