Itchy scalps and hair loss often can be signs of underlying medical problems that require treatment to relieve symptoms.
At Florida’s Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center in Windermere, we treat a variety of hair and scalp conditions to offer our patients relief, and in the case of hair loss, restoration of lost hair when possible.
To learn more about our hair and scalp treatments or to schedule an appointment, contact Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center today.
A persistently itchy scalp may be a sign of scalp psoriasis, a common skin condition that responds well to treatment.
Psoriasis can emerge anywhere on your scalp. It may be a small patch that is hidden by your hair. Or psoriasis can be more extensive, impacting your entire scalp and other areas.
Some scalp psoriasis symptoms include:
- Reddish patches on your scalp. These patches can be small and not easily seen, or inflamed and thick, which are noticeable to you and others.
- Flaking that appears similar to dandruff.
- White or silvery scales on the skin.
- A dry scalp that may cause skin to crack or bleed.
- Itching.
- A burning sensation.
- Soreness.
- Hair loss. This is temporary and typically results from too much scratching.
Scalp psoriasis symptoms can flare up and then disappear. Some people suffer mild cases, others have more serious flare-ups. Triggers can include dry, cold air, and stress.
Causes of Scalp Psoriasis
Psoriasis can emerge when your immune system is off and tells your skin cells to grow too quickly. These new cells form in a matter of days, rather than the usual weeks. Your body does not shed extra skin cells and they merge on your skin’s surface, leading to areas of psoriasis.
At Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center, we can diagnose your scalp psoriasis and help develop a treatment plan to relieve itchy and painful symptoms.
Treatment
There are a variety of treatments available, including the use of medicated shampoos and solutions. Because some scalp psoriasis cases can be persistent, other treatments also are available.
These can include:
- Medicine that is applied directly to the scalp.
- Scale softening treatments.
- Injections.
- Light treatments.
Scale softeners are a common treatment. These contain an acid that works to soften psoriasis patches, giving medicine that is applied a better chance to work.
Some hair diseases that can be treated by Dr. Hudgens and our team include:
- Alopecia Areata: This is autoimmune disease in which your body attacks your own hair. This can lead to patches of lost hair. Our treatments can help restore hair.
- Cicatricial Alopecia: This is a rare disease that can be found in people who are in good overall health. It destroys hair follicles, causing scar tissue to form. This prohibits hair from re-growing. Treatments are designed to halt inflammation which destroys your hair follicles.
Hair loss can be caused by other underlying medical problems and can occur following cancer treatment.
If you are concerned about your painful, itchy scalp, or are experiencing hair loss that can’t be explained, it’s time to seek help from a professional. Contact Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center today to schedule an appointment and begin your journey back to healthy skin and hair.