I have psoriasis in several places. But in the past few weeks, it's gotten worse on my scalp. It often gets crusty and bleeds. I use a medicated shampoo/conditioner and also skin zinc. But it doesn't seem to be getting better. Does anyone have suggestions?
By Leah Carlson from SC
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I am the friend that Crafter Mary mentioned in her feedback.
My problem was so bad that my hair was coming out in the front in big chunks. I tried all the usual, tar shampoo, etc. Nothing helped. My hair was getting very thin from the hair loss. I read about Vicks in Dr. Peter Gott's column in our local newspaper.
By this time, my doctor had made me an appointment with a dermatologist, but I was not looking forward to that because I was almost certain they would use steroids or something. So when I read the newspaper column, I figured that I had nothing to lose. As Mary mentioned, I first used plain old vicks. I just rubbed it all over my scalp and then put a plastic shower cap over it. I left it on for about 4 hours, then washed it out. My scalp was absolutely clean with the first application.
But what a mess with the vaseline part. It would not wash out. But I remembered the dry shampoos of the 50's and sprinkled baby powder all through my hair and massaged it in, then brushed it out. It took all the sticky stuff with it. I shampooed it a second time and it was clean. I had a few stubborn spots near my temples that would begin to build up. By this time I had discovered the Vicks lotion in a tube. The active ingredients are exactly the same as in the old product except it doesn't use the petroleum base.
When I found a place that was forming again, I would just put a dab on my index finger and rub it into my scalp and it would disappear. It has been almost 2 years now since I have had to do anything. My scalp is normal. My Doctor was amazed at my remedy and told me that I could cancel my appointment with the dermatologist.
I get psoriasis on my scalp from time to time. Sometimes, Vicks helps me, but sometimes it doesn't work. If it's the "weepy" kind, I use Listerine mouthwash and it clears it right up. (I actually use the generic store brand "brown" version of Listerine most of the time.)
I read something recently that said that psoriasis is a reaction to something you eat, so you might want to experiment with your diet and see if that helps. For me, if I eat a product with gluten, I have a psoriasis outbreak within 12-24 hours, so I do my best to avoid all forms of gluten.
Your physician should be able to take a test of the scalp flakes and see what the underlying cause is...some medicines will not work for all causes.
You could check out one of my often visited and favorite sites for home remedies: earthclinic.com for any advice and read the pros and cons of each one.
good luck!
Robyn
The Dr's show on t v talked about that today. They suggest to use a shampoo with tar in it. I use T gel, it has tar in it, good luck.
Just be careful if you have white hair. The tar shampoo yellowed my hair and it had to grow out.
A friend of mine had a thick patch of it on her scalp and used Vick's Salve, but I don't remember how she learned about it. The hard patch of scales just sort of came off within a day or two I think, and the spot healed right up, but the Vick's Salve was really hard to wash out afterward. Soon after, she discovered a "Vick's Cream" that doesn't leave a residue, & she found it to be just as effective to keep the itchy patch from returning.
Since then, I had a patch on my ankle for weeks, finally remembered & got some of the cream version, and it made it go away. The patch starts to come back if the cream isn't applied for a few weeks, so every so often, I use it again. It's at the Walmart pharmacy in our town for around $6, comes in a tube like hand lotion, but I sort of remember it being in a box on the shelf next to the salve version. I'd never be without it again and am so glad my friend told me about it.
Don't scratch it, or rub too much. That was the advice that my sons' Dermatologist gave us when he had the same condition. It wouldn't go away with all of the shampoo, salve and oil his MD had given us. I was making it worse by scratching it for him!
It's external overgrowth of candida. You can put white vinegar on ur scalp after shampooing. Use a weak solution; like 1tsp vinegar & 9tsp of water. After a while you can increase the amount of vinegar. Make the solution & put it on every time it itches It works well.
You could try Tea Tree Oil - Skin & Scalp Tratment sold under the Hollywood Beauty name at CVS. It is less then $3.00 a small bottle (2 oz.). It also contains Vitamin E & Aloe. You only use a small amount of it. Tea Tree oil has natural healing properties. I occasionally have psoriasis (not on scalp though), & tea tree oil seems to help.
Good luck.
In Feb. of 1999 I had Psoiasis from head to toe, possibly from strep but unknown for sure. My face was bright red. (I work in a hospital so going to work was very difficult.) In April I seen a specialist. I asked him for the stongest stuff they had. He replied, "We don't do that." (It was my first visit with him.) I asked him ' If you were me what would you do?" He said, "Just a minute", left the room and came back with some small tubes. The medication was Temovate. I used it on my face once a day. The treatment really helped. My face took several months to clear up. My body took much longer as I was perscribed other sutff not as strong. Psoriasis can be difficult to treat and deal with, hopefully you will find what will work for you.
By Carol
The best way to get rid of scalp psoriasis is to shave your head and get maximum sunlight. This is only possible if you are willing to go through some discomfort when you first shave your head. Not physically but you will visibly notice the lesions. If you are not able to spend sufficient time in the sun while your hair is short, I would not recommend this method. It is however the most effective way I have found to get rid of the lesions in a short amount of time (3-5 days.)
Buy coconut oil or you can use olive oil. Run coconut oil onto your scalp. Do not use too much; a little goes a long way. Then cover with a plastic cap. It is soothing and you can leave on for 1/2 hour and then shampoo or leave on overnight and then shampoo. The coconut oil will also condition your hair so you can work a little through your hair also. Can be used anywhere on the skin and use ths pure coconut oil. You can get it at a health food store. You can use on face , and eye lids. Just use a little as it can be greasy. After 5 minutes wipe off excess.
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