Psoriasis on scalp

[rp2141]

Hi all, my dad has suffered with psoriasis most of his life, he has/had in it all the most common places - knees, elbows, lower back and scalp in particular.

After a course of steroids for a chest infection , the psoriasis on his knees and elbows completely cleared up!

However, he is really suffering with it on his scalp, it is very itchy and he finds it embarrassing as it causes lots of ‘dandruff’ on his clothes.

He’s been to the doctors and seen a dermatologist about it but the creams and ointments they give him don’t seem to do anything.

I’ve read about steroid creams which I think could help, does anyone have any recommendations for ones they have tried and tested and got good results?

Thank you!

[SmPea]

My husband had suffered like this for many years. In the last 6 months he has been supplementing with Vit D as his level was a bit low. He has also been getting fit and has lost 3 stone already (he was bordering on obese) His psoriasis has almost gone for the first time in many years. Maybe worth having Vit D checked - can do finger prick test posted from NHS lab in Birmingham - cost £29.There has been research done that shows that raising Vit D to optimal between 80 - 100 can reduce psoriasis inflammation.

Everyone is different but thought I would share my husbands experience in case it helps.

[rp2141 in reply to SmPea]

Thank you, that’s really helpful! He is also trying to lose weight so hoping that could make a difference too!

[SmPea in reply to rp2141]

Glad to be of help - hope things improve.

[Batty1]

Issue with steroid creams is they cause skin thinning so Im not a huge fan of them for long term use. Has the Derm provided a medicated shampoo? He could also try using T-gel 4% extra strength coal tar shampoo which he can most likely purchase on amazon.

DO NOT USE any product with ACID in the ingredients or name it burns and creates itching which is the last thing anyone with Psoriasis should be doing.

[rp2141 in reply to Batty1]

Yes I did read that online about the skin thinning, yes he’s tried the t-gel shampoo for a while now but it doesn’t seem to improve it and I think the dermatologist prescribed him one too which also hasn’t worked!

[Batty1 in reply to rp2141]

Do you live where its sunny, year round? Unfortunately the scalp and ears are the hardest to go into remission (Psoriasis has no cure). I would suggest maybe purchasing a sun lamp (obviously cancer is a risk) or a tanning booth (also cancer risk) or he could try OTEZLA which is a pill taken daily (given by derm) and does work for some people, sadly not me and like everything it comes with risk.

Honestly you have to weigh the risk vs the reward when it comes to dealing with Psoriasis.

[rp2141 in reply to Batty1]

No, we live in the UK so not much sun! I have spoken to him about starting on some vitamin D tablets and he is keen to try and see if it makes any difference. He did say that the psoriasis is not as bad in the Summer when we have a bit of sun so fingers crossed this could be a solution!

[Batty1 in reply to rp2141]

Their is NO CURE anything you do is a bandaid at best and yes the sun is helpful but again its not a cure and comes with risk....what he needs is year round relief not just summer time.

[Tugun]

Hi,

The steroids would have reduced the inflammation in the body. Vitamin D is helpful for the immune system as are the antioxidants. Psoriasis is an internal disease even though it mostly manifests externally. I discovered that taking an oil with my breakfast with the correct balance of Omega 3 /6 and 9 helped me tremendously. At present I take 3 tablespoons of Graham's mega oil - an Australian product designed for psoriasis and eczema. It has the correct balance of Omega 3 / 6 and 9. Udo's Omega 3/6/9 oil is available in the UK and is similar. Omega 3 is an essential fatty acid that helps to reduce inflammation (among many other things). Flaxseed oil has a lot of Omega 3 but it doesn't have the correct balance of Omega 6 and 9.

I take the oil in my breakfast with fruit but you can also take it on salads or other foods. Some people get a bit nauseous but I seem to be fine. Start with only one tablespoon and see how he goes. Taking lemon juice with water first thing in the morning also helps the body.

I also found that taking alkaline water also helped my immune system.

[Batty1 in reply to Tugun]

Steroids lotions can reduce inflammation on the skin but can not be used long term as they create skin thinning and psoriasis is and autoimmune disease that manifests itself on the skin in the form of excessive skin shedding and it has no known cure.

Lotions and drinking potions could be helpful to some and absolute disaster for others and because you clear up today does not mean your free of psoriasis or that the lotions or drinking potions worked it could just be a normal remission which happens.

Vitamin D: Before taking Vitamin D you should be tested first.

[Lozj]

I’ve had scalp psoriasis for 20 years, tried everything including horrible drugs that made my hair fall out. Nothing ever worked. I saw a new NHS Dermatologist who prescribed me Enstillar Foam, it’s a steroid but has been like a miracle cure for me, it cleared my scalp in 1 week using it everyday, now using every 3 days, I am wearing dark colour clothes for the first time in years, it’s great, everyone looks slimmer in black 😃.

Seriously it has been amazing, I want everyone to know about it, not sure why I hadn’t been offered it in the past. (Maybe cost)

It’s also cleared my elbows and knees, and almost my hand which is very stubborn.

Good Luck, hope it works for your Dad.

[rp2141 in reply to Lozj]

Hi Lozj, thanks for your reply!I’ll get him to ask his doctor about the enstillar foam...I wonder if it is a last resort sort of thing as it might be expensive? So glad to hear that it has worked so well for you!

[rp2141 in reply to rp2141]

I’ve also just seen online that one of the ingredients in the foam is a form of vitamin D which is something others have recommended on here!

[Lozj in reply to rp2141]

I get the best results with it by using it overnight, covered with a light weight shower cap, it’s greasy so when I shampoo (sls and paraben free anti dandruff shampoo from the pound shop!) I apply the shampoo in quantity and without water to start, this definitely makes it easier to rinse, it takes 2 or 3 shampoos usually to get it squeaky clean.

[RichardCohen]

Enstillar foam was a life changer for my skin psoriasis! I have heard about it not working though, as everyone is different. Speak to the GP, but I was prescribed betacap for the scalp psoriasis and it worked perfectly. Only needs a couple of treatments and then stays clear for a while. Tar shampoos did nothing for me-actually made things worse. Good luck!!!

[rp2141]

Hi all, just a little update...my dad had a telephone appointment with his doctor and he mentioned both the enstillar foam and betacap and the doctor agreed that both of these could benefit the psoriasis on the scalp and on the lower back etc.My dad has been using both for around a week now and the psoriasis on the scalp has nearly almost completely gone! He is so pleased and is a lot happier that he no longer has to worry about the ‘dust’ on his clothes!

The enstillar foam is taking a bit longer to work on his lower back but it the skin is quite thick there, it has worked well on his knees and elbows so overall he is very pleased!

Thank you all for your helpful suggestions!