Psoriasis is starting on my scalp…
Does it always mean hair loss? I’m not sure how to treat it.
Well, Coach, I guess you need to get to a dermie and ask. I don’t have cutaneous Ps, so I’m the wrong person to ask. (OK, you didn’t really ask me, did you, LOL!) I have a feeling, though, that drugs are more likely to make your hair fall out.
But what I need to know from you is, who is the lovely little tabby kitty on your profile pic? 
Happy Easter to you and your Family
Seenie
Not necessarily at all. My husband has psoriasis on his scalp, and has been treating it for years. Yes, his hair is thinning, but that's age, not psoriasis. He treats on a few different levels. He uses the shampoos that you can get at the store for psoriasis. There are two different active ingredients, and I think the derm. has him alternate them. Then there are also scalp specific topicals.
You'll need to decide how severe it is, in terms of whether trying to treat at home first, or go to the derm right away. There was another thread here not too long ago about scalp psoriasis. You can search the discussion forum to find it.
Oh, my. You have my sympathy. I had psoriasis on my scalp for years. It was a pretty severe case;it covered my entire scalp and parts of my face near the hairline and on the nape of my neck. It was pretty awful. I did not, however; lose my hair. It wasn’t as thick as it used to be, but that was really only noticeable to me.
I waited a very long time to get real treatment for my scalp. For one, it didn’t really bother me and there is very little that embarrasses me. I just didn’t worry about it. In the last few years, though, it got really painful, tender, and thick. As it escalated, so did the psoriasis everywhere else on my body. My derm initially treated me with prescription topicals and OTC shampoos, but my skin w so out of control that this treatment had very little effect. After a few months, he started me on Humira. It worked wonderfully and the plaques on my scalp started to shed after four days. I don’t know if everyone has that experience or if I just got really lucky.
Make an appointment to see a dermatologist. In the meantime, go pick up some Neutrogena T-Sal shampoo and T-Gel shampoo. T-Sal has salycitic acid and T-Gel has coal tar as the active ingredient. Alternate use of each shampoo each week. Be warned that the coal tar stinks to high heaven, but it is an effective and by old treatment for psoriasis. These shampoos will give you some relief until you are able to see a dermatologist.
Some people recommend tea tree oil shampoos as well. I have tried them, but have not had as much luck as I did with the medicated shampoos. Paul Mitchell has a great tea tree shampoo and conditioner. I love the smell of these and they make your skin feel tingly clean. You can also find plain tea tree oil and add it to your favorite shampoo and conditioner, if you like. I do not know what ratio you should use to mix it though.
I hope this helps a little. Make sure to see a doctor soon so that you can get a more permanent solution.
I've had plaque psoriasis on my scalp on and have never had hair loss from it. It's tough to treat. In general my scalp will improve at the same time as my disease improves from other treatments.
Hi Coach, I've had Psoriasis for 28 years and it has always been worse on the scalp. It came and went, had terrible embarrassing scalp flares. I used tar shampoo twice a week and prescription scalp solution: calcipotriene. I didn't lose hair - I have lots of hair. Now, I guess because of the meds I don't have any scalp psoriasis. It was always very mild on my elbows and knees.
No it doesn't mean hair loss. I had psoriasis on my scalp when I was a child. This is going to sound strange but I did oil treatments. I used a cotton ball and mineral oil. Soak the cotton ball with the oil and rub it onto the psoriasis on the scalp. Leave it on overnight and then I the morning run a comb through the hair and against the scalp. The softened plaques should come off. Then just wash your hair with regular shampoo. Its a little messy but it works.
I ended up having to shave my head to treat the Big P. My scalp cleared faster and I have fewer flares there now. We have all had to embrace our "New Selves" with psoriasis. This might be that time. Many people don't recognize me after the transformation of a shaved head and a goatee. My wife prefers this look. As they say, "Grass don't grow on a busy street." lol