Is it Dandruff? Or May Be Its Psoriasis !!

What Is Dandruff?

Dandruff is a common skin problem. You may notice flakes that fall off your scalp and cling to your hair or land on your clothing. Your scalp may itch, too.

Several things can cause dandruff:

• Seborrheic dermatitis: This is oily, itchy, irritated skin that flakes off on your scalp. It also can happen with your eyebrows, groin, or chest hair.
• Contact dermatitis: Hair care products like shampoo, gel, or dye can irritate your scalp and cause redness, itchiness, and flakes.
• Fungus called malassezia is a yeast that thrives on the oil on your scalp.
• If you don’t shampoo your hair often enough, oily skin can flake off.
• Dry skin can lead to small flakes on your scalp. You’ll probably have dry skin all over your body.
• Male hormones:Men are more likely to get dandruff than women.
• People whose immune systems can’t fight off diseases, for instance people who have HIV, may be more likely to get dandruff.

Dandruff usually isn’t serious. You can’t catch it from anyone else or pass it on. It can be uncomfortable or embarrassing, though.

What Is Scalp Psoriasis?

Psoriasis can affect your scalp, and the red, scaly patches it causes can flake off like dandruff does. There are a few differences, though:

• It’s chronic: Psoriasis is long-lasting while dandruff may come and go.
• It’s more scaly than flaky. If it’s mild, scalp psoriasis looks like scaly, silvery, or powdery patches that may come off in tiny pieces. More serious outbreaks can be red and painful.
• It may spread. Psoriasis patches can creep past your hairline to your forehead, the back of your neck, or the skin around your ears. You may have psoriasis patches on other parts of your body, too, like your elbows, legs, feet, palms, or back.
• It’s an autoimmune disease. Psoriasis is caused by your body’s immune system: White blood cells that should fight off diseases attack your skin cells instead.

Prevention and Treatment

1. Gentle care
Gentle care is vital for scalp health. This means avoiding harsh hairdressing chemicals such as colourings and perming solutions. Always wash hair in warm rather than hot water, and avoid over-drying with a hairdryer. Use a lower setting on the hairdryer if possible. Choose a mild shampoo with an acidic pH of around 4.5–5.5. Some people find that a common agent used in shampoo (Sodium lauryl sulphate) acts as a scalp irritant. Look for a shampoo free of SLS instead. Brush the hair firmly and regularly to stimulate blood circulation to the scalp, and oil production in the hair.

2. Treating scalp psoriasis and seborrhoeic dermatitis
Scalp psoriasis and seborrhoeic dermatitis are treated similarly. Non-medicated shampoos or cleansers are usually used to clear the symptoms of dry, flaky and sometimes itchy scalp plaquing. Rub into the scalp gently, leave for 5–10 minutes before reapplying. Use no more than twice weekly. CUREplus Homeopathy treatment from Welling Clinics along with shampooing can help you get rid of scalp psoriasis and dandruff, very quickly and safely without the use of harmful steroids.

3. Itchy scalp
Itchy scalp is a common problem for many adults, and can be caused by a range of scalp conditions including psoriasis, dandruff, ringworm (a fungal infection) or simply dry skin on the scalp. Head lice are an increasingly common parasitic infestation and will cause intense and constant scalp itching. Medical help may be needed to sort out these problems. Meet our specialists for an evaluation and diagnosis.

4. Diet and scalp health
In common with the skin on the rest of the body, there are certain nutrients essential for scalp health. Most important are the omega-3 fatty acids found in oily fish (salmon, sardines, herrings, tuna), avocado, nuts, seeds and flax oil. Supplementing with a fatty acid called GLA (found in abundance in evening primrose oil) may also help remedy dry and itchy scalp. A deficiency of the mineral zinc, and B complex nutrients can also contribute to some scalp conditions.

5. Deal to dandruff
Those embarrassing white flakes which cascade onto your shoulders can be controlled. Most cases of dandruff are now believed to be caused by the overgrowth of a common and harmless scalp fungus called Pityrosporum Ovale. What causes its overgrowth is not clear, although poor nutrition, hormonal imbalance and a poor diet have been implicated. An overgrowth causes increased turnover of scalp cells leading to the production of dead skin cells which clump together and fall as dandruff. There are many shampoos on the market to deal with this frustrating problem quickly and efficiently, including some anti-yeast preparations.