Hair loss with psoriasis

Psoriasis, which affects the scalp, also always has an effect on hair growth. The reason is that almost the entire scalp is covered with hair follicles. Inflammatory skin changes in the area of the scalp also always lead to the hair cells being impaired and restricted in their formation, with the result that the hair in the area affected by psoriasis falls out.

In most cases, large, thick plates of skin then cover the scalp, which then becomes increasingly hairless. So it can happen that either large areas on the scalp or several smaller areas become hairless. The combination of hair loss and skin redness leads to further stigmatization of the patients and also to psychological stress.

As soon as the inflammatory skin areas on the scalp have healed, hair growth resumes. However, it still takes weeks until the new outer hairs have adapted to the hairs on the healthy scalp, and so it can also happen that hair growth on the head is completely uneven. An early loosening of the skin layers leads to a faster regeneration of the scalp and the hair follicles, which also leads to a faster regrowth of the hair.

Psoriasis treatment

Since the curative treatment of the skin disease is not possible, the treatment strategies always aim at alleviating the symptoms. The measures that are taken range from the loosening of the skin plates by certain lotions to the medicinal inhibition of the immune system, which is intended to ensure that corresponding reactions of the immune system against the body’s own skin cells are only weakened. As a rule, creams and lotions are used to treat psoriasis.

Bath additives are also used. Creams or sitz baths with the active ingredient salicylic acid or urea are used to dissolve the skin plates. It is important that the dead skin cells that keep coming back have no chance of building up a thick plate.

The treatment should be carried out several times a day. The regularity guarantees that the skin no longer thickens unnaturally fast and thus heals faster. Excessive cell growth and inflammation of the skin is inhibited by the active ingredient dithranol.

It is available in the form of lotions and creams and should be applied regularly to the affected skin layers. Substances derived from vitamin D also have this anti-inflammatory effect and also lead to a reduction in cell proliferation. This group includes substances such as calcipotriol and tacalcitol.

Cortisone preparations are also used in severe cases. However, long-term treatment with cortisone should be avoided. Phototherapy also belongs to a treatment component of psoriasis.

The special UV treatment should be carried out at regular intervals for a few minutes. Severe psoriasis should also always be treated systemically, i.e. with tablets, over a manageable period of time. Here, drugs similar to vitamin A are used.

These substances, also known as retinoids, ensure that the skin regenerates more quickly and that inflammations in the skin area do not occur as strongly or, in the best case, are avoided completely. In severe cases, so-called immune suppressants in the form of tablets are used. These medications, which should be taken especially in the case of strong attacks, inhibit the work of the immune system and make sure that the reactions mediated by the immune system are easier.

Methotrexate or Ciclospoprin A is used in this context. Recently, so-called biologicals have also been used more and more frequently. These are mostly antibody-related drugs that fight against the overactive immune system.

This group of drugs includes Infliximab or Etanercept, which have a corresponding effect on the immune system. Shampoos are also used, particularly in cases of psoriasis, and are mainly used to loosen excess skin and inhibit inflammatory reactions. Especially acetylsalicyl preparations are available in the form of shampoos.Sometimes these preparations also have a certain amount of urea added, which is supposed to accelerate the dandruff-dissolving effect.

The shampoo should be used once a day and absorbed for a few minutes before being washed out again. There are also shampoos that have a certain amount of cortisone, which is supposed to reduce the inflammatory skin reactions. The best is the combined anti-inflammatory and skin solution.

Appropriate shampoos are available in pharmacies and should be used for a limited period of time. Between different psoriasis attacks, caring and moisturizing shampoos can also be used. They should ensure that psoriasis relapses are reduced and the corresponding inflammatory reactions of the skin are less severe.

In addition to conventional medicine, there are also a number of home remedies that are intended to reduce or, in the best case, completely prevent psoriasis attacks. The most effective measures are washing with chamomile water, which should reduce the inflammatory skin changes, applying aloe vera products, which should lead to healing of the inflamed skin and to a reduction of the re-inflammation. Baths with sea salt are also suitable for prevention and treatment of acute attacks.

Various products are available for the treatment of psoriasis: particularly suitable for the itchy scalp are products such as Herbal Glo, a shampoo that can be used daily during a psoriasis attack and leads to a reduction in itching. Numerous solutions are available for the treatment of psoriasis. Squamasol, with its active ingredient, ensures gentle removal of thickened skin. The solution is applied to the scalp 2-3 times a week and massaged in. After 10 minutes it can be washed out again.