Psoriasis and Hair Loss: What's the Connection?

Date: Nov-22-2016 Psoriasis is an irritating skin condition that commonly affects the knees, elbows, hands, feet, and scalp.

The condition affects over 7.5 million Americans.

When psoriasis affects the scalp, red, raised, scaly patches appear, and hair loss may occur. Scalp psoriasis can be limited to one or two patches, or it can be widespread. It may affect the whole scalp, the forehead, the back of the neck, or behind the ears.

Contents of this article:

What is psoriasis?

Symptoms of scalp psoriasis

Hair loss prevention, treatment, and remedies

Causes, risk factors, and triggers for scalp psoriasis

Other skin conditions that may cause hair loss

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder that causes skin cells to grow too quickly, resulting in scaling and inflamed skin.

When skin cells grow, they form deep within the skin and slowly move to the surface. There, they replace dead cells, and the dead skin is shed. This process normally takes around a month.

Psoriasis speeds up this process. It takes only a few days for new cells to form and rise to the surface. The speed at which this happens causes the skin to build up in patches on the surface.

Psoriasis is a common autoimmune disorder that causes skin cells to be produced too quickly.

This buildup of skin is known as plaque.

As the skin builds up, patches of red, thickened skin with silver streaks form. These patches may be itchy or painful. There may be dried, cracked skin that bleeds, and swelling and stiffness in the joints.

Locations in which these patches can appear include:

Elbows

Knees and other parts of the legs

Lower back

Face

Hands

Soles of the feet

Finger and toenails

Scalp

Scalp psoriasis is a kind of plaque psoriasis, but other kinds of psoriasis can affect the scalp. There may be intense itching. Scratching can then cause skin damage.

Symptoms of scalp psoriasis

In addition to the usual symptoms of psoriasis, scalp psoriasis has its own set of symptoms.

These include:

Red patches on the scalp, ranging from barely noticeable to very pronounced and inflamed

Flaking and scales that may at first resemble dandruff but are accompanied by a silvery sheen

Dry scalp that may crack and bleed

Itching that can range from a mild annoyance to an extreme itch that interferes with life and sleep

Bleeding is common because the skin becomes dry and cracked, and is worsened by scratching

Burning, soreness, or pain on the scalp

Temporary hair loss can happen as a result of scratching the scalp or removing the scales

Fortunately, once the outbreak clears, hair generally regrows.

Hair loss prevention, treatment, and remedies

Preventing an outbreak of scalp psoriasis before it starts is the best way to avoid hair loss.

Proper treatment is crucial to prevention, and a dermatologist can provide medical treatment that can clear up an outbreak quickly.

Scalp psoriasis may be confused with dandruff due to flaking skin.

Treatments include:

Corticosteroids applied directly to the outbreak to decrease inflammation and itching

Topically applied vitamin D cream

Injections

Light therapy, though this may not be as effective for some due to hair thickness

Oral medications including biologics, methotrexate, or retinoids

Medicated shampoos, containing salicylic acid or coal tar, may help. However, shampoo with salicylic acid can also lead to further breakage, since the acid may weaken hair follicles.

Some home remedies and lifestyle changes can help people to take control of their condition and prevent outbreaks.

These include:

Quitting smoking

Avoiding alcohol

Limiting exposure to cold weather

Trying to avoid scratching

Shampooing gently to avoid further irritation

Limiting stress

Maintaining a healthy body weight

A vitamin called biotin may also be of benefit to people with psoriasis who experience hair loss. Biotin is available both on its own and in supplements with other vitamins.

Causes, risk factors, and triggers for scalp psoriasis

While the cause of psoriasis remains unclear, it is thought to be linked to a problem with the immune system.

White blood cells known as T cells are thought to attack healthy skin cells. Normally, T cells fight off bacteria and viruses.

These overactive T cells may lead to an excessive production of skin cells. This speeds up the cycle of skin moving to the surface.

A variety of biological and external triggers may start up the cycle. Once it starts, it will not stop without treatment.

There are some risk factors and triggers for psoriasis. Knowing these can help to avoid outbreaks and prompt patients to seek treatment sooner.

Risk factors for having the disease include:

Cold weather and stress may trigger a psoriasis outbreak.

Family history of psoriasis

Certain viral and bacterial infections such as HIV and recurrent strep throat

Weakened immune system

Obesity

Smoking

External factors that may trigger psoriasis outbreaks include:

Stress

Skin injuries like cuts, scrapes, insect bites, or sunburn

Cold weather

Excessive alcohol consumption

Certain medications such as beta-blockers and medications for bipolar disorder

Smoking

Other complications

Psoriasis can involve a number of complications, either medical or impacting quality of life.

Medical complications include:

Psoriatic arthritis, with painful damage to the joints

Metabolic syndrome

Eye diseases like conjunctivitis

Obesity

High blood pressure

Heart disease

Parkinson's disease

Kidney disease

Other autoimmune disorders including Crohn's disease, celiac, and inflammatory bowel disease

Quality of life can be affected by:

Sleep disruption due to itching

Exhaustion

Feelings of grief or embarrassment over hair loss and skin patches

Low self-esteem

Problems at work or school

Depression

Social isolation

Other skin conditions that may cause hair loss

Scalp psoriasis is not the only skin condition that may cause hair loss.

To diagnose scalp psoriasis and rules out other possible causes, a doctor can examine a skin sample under a microscope.

Conditions with similar symptoms include ringworm. If the parasite takes up residence in the scalp, this can lead to itching and hair loss.

Several diseases lead to a condition called scarring alopecia, which is hair loss accompanied by scarring. These include some types of lupus, cellulitis, or folliculitis. They account for very few cases of hair loss.

Written by Jenna Fletcher

Courtesy: Medical News Today Note: Any medical information available in this news section is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional.