Are you finding your scalp flaky, itchy and dry but unsure what could be causing it? The most common condition people instantly think of is dandruff as it causes that same flaky substance on your scalp. It is not a serious condition and can be managed quite easily. However, some people get this condition mixed up with psoriasis as both conditions can have similar symptoms. So, what are the differences between the two?
Dandruff
As mentioned above, dandruff is associated with white, oily flakes that cause mild itching and a scaly looking scalp. This condition usually gets worse in the cooler months when the air is dry, although, there are some other common reasons why you could be a culprit of the dreaded scalp condition;
- Not shampooing enough, as skin cells accumulate it creates those flakes and itchiness
- The products you are using to wash your hair with. Certain hair products could be drying or reacting to your scalp, such as contact dermatitis
- Stress could be aggravating or worsening your dandruff.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect a wide range of places on the body, one including the scalp. It can affect anywhere on the scalp and usually appears with thick, inflamed red patches. What tells the two apart is the extreme itchiness and dryness associated with it, that it begins to crack and bleed. This is what to look out for if you suspect you may have scalp psoriasis;
- Red, inflamed patches all over the scalp
- Cracking and bleeding skin
- Extreme itchiness
Usually, someone who already suffers from psoriasis will experience scalp psoriasis. This is caused by a genetic defect that affects certain parts of the immune system, resulting in a build-up of skin cells and therefore creating those scaly plaques on the skin. Emotional stress has also been said to trigger a psoriasis outbreak.
The scalp is a delicate part of our body regardless of whether you have psoriasis or not. Using the wrong hair care products can damage, dry and strip the hair of its natural oils. Especially for people who have scalp psoriasis, the scalp is already lacking moisture, which is why choosing the right products that will replace that is essential.
Can you put psoriasis cream on your scalp?
Yes absolutely! We always recommend using our Natural Psoriasis Cream by rubbing the cream on the affected areas before bed then in the morning wash out with our Natural Shampoo and Conditioner. The cream targets to lift the flaky scales from the scalp, while the shampoo removes the psoriasis treatment from the hair without stripping the natural oils from the hair.
If you are struggling to determine if your dry scalp could be psoriasis, we recommend checking with your doctor for a proper diagnosis of the condition. The quicker you get on top of treatment the better it will become! Here is our essential scalp psoriasis survival pack!
