Psoriasis On Scalp : Symptoms, Causes
Psoriasis typically causes patches of skin that are dry, red and covered in silver scales. Some people find their psoriasis causes itching or soreness.
Symptoms of mild scalp psoriasis may include only slight, fine scaling. Symptoms of moderate to severe scalp psoriasis include:
Scaly, red, bumpy patches
Silvery-white scales
Dandruff-like flaking
Dry scalp
Itching
Burning or soreness
Hair loss
Scalp psoriasis itself doesn’t cause hair loss, but scratching a lot or very hard, picking at the scaly spots, harsh treatments, and the stress that goes along with the condition can lead to temporary hair loss. Fortunately, your hair usually grows back after your skin clears.
If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor or dermatologist. He may simply take a look or do a skin biopsy to rule out similar conditions likeseborrheic dermatitis.
Causes of Psoriasis
Psoriasis is not contagious and can’t be spread through contact or exchange of bodily fluids.
While the exact cause of psoriasis is unknown, it's an autoimmune condition in which a faulty immune system changes the life cycle of skin cells in the body.
This change causes the cells to build up rapidly on the surface of the skin in just a few days (for those without psoriasis, this process usually takes about a month).
These extra skin cells form thick, itchy, dry, red patches on the skin's surface.
Is Psoriasis Contagious?
While more research is needed to fully understand psoriasis, we do know that the condition is not contagious.
In other words, you can't spread the disease through touch, salvia, or during any kind of sexual contact.
Risk Factors for Psoriasis
While anyone can develop psoriasis, the following factors can increase your risk:
Family history: Having one parent with psoriasis increases your risk, and having two parents with the condition puts you at greater risk.
Infections: People with HIV are more likely to develop psoriasis. Additionally, kids and young adults with recurring infections, such as strep throat, may be at increased risk.
Stress: Since stress can impact your immune system, high stress levels may increase your risk of psoriasis.
Smoking: Smoking tobacco increases your risk and the severity of psoriasis, and may initiate the development of the disease.
Treatments For Your Psoriasis
You and your doctor are partners in finding the most appropriate treatments
for your psoriasis. Becoming familiar with different psoriasis treatments will
help you discuss them when your doctor recommends one treatment type or
another.
Psoriasis treatments generally fall into one of three categories, including:
Topicals
One of the most common treatment options, topicals, are usually the first medication your doctor will prescribe after you’ve been diagnosed with psoriasis. They come in different forms, like creams, ointments, gels, or foam. Topicals work on top of the skin, where the symptoms appear – not under the skin, where symptoms start. Applying topicals directly on plaques can help slow the growth of skin cells.
Phototherapy
Phototherapy, also known as light therapy, also works on the surface of your skin. Using special lamps that shine UV rays directly onto your plaques can slow down the growth of affected skin cells.
Systemics
This type of treatment works throughout the body. For example, this type of treatment can be taken orally or by injection.
Biologics
Biologics are an advanced type of treatment typically for moderate to severe psoriasis patients. They target and help block specific parts of your immune system. They’re usually taken by injection or infusion, because they work from the inside of your body.
Psoriasis treatments generally fall into one of three categories, including:
One of the most common treatment options, topicals, are usually the first medication your doctor will prescribe after you’ve been diagnosed with psoriasis. They come in different forms, like creams, ointments, gels, or foam. Topicals work on top of the skin, where the symptoms appear – not under the skin, where symptoms start. Applying topicals directly on plaques can help slow the growth of skin cells.
Phototherapy, also known as light therapy, also works on the surface of your skin. Using special lamps that shine UV rays directly onto your plaques can slow down the growth of affected skin cells.
This type of treatment works throughout the body. For example, this type of treatment can be taken orally or by injection.
Biologics
Biologics are an advanced type of treatment typically for moderate to severe psoriasis patients. They target and help block specific parts of your immune system. They’re usually taken by injection or infusion, because they work from the inside of your body.
How To Diagnosis Psoriatic arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory joint disease closely associated with
psoriasis, which affects the joints and tendons. ‘Inflammatory arthritis’ means
that there is inflammation present in the affected joints, rather than just wear
and tear. It can be difficult to diagnose, as symptoms can be similar to other
types of arthritis, and a patient does not necessarily have to have psoriasis to
develop it. It is also possible for people with psoriasis to develop a different
type of arthritis (such as rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis); the fact
that they have psoriasis does not alone mean their arthritis is psoriatic.
How is it diagnosed?
At present there are no definitive guidelines for diagnosing psoriatic arthritis; a doctor will make a diagnosis based on symptoms and medical history, and by ruling out other conditions. Usually, a blood test will be carried out to test for rheumatoid factor (the antibody found in rheumatoid arthritis). This is usually negative in people with psoriatic arthritis, although a positive result can be due to causes other than rheumatoid arthritis. A doctor may also use X Rays, ultrasounds or other scans, such as an MRI to look at the patient’s joints. These scans often show inflammation or areas of new bone growth with poorly-defined edges in people with psoriatic arthritis.
Traditionally, the Moll and Wright (1973) criteria have been used to diagnose psoriatic arthritis. The criteria are: an inflammatory arthritis, the presence of psoriasis, and a blood test negative for rheumatoid factor. Although this criteria set is still used, it does have limitations, for example, psoriatic arthritis can occur without there being current psoriasis on the skin.
CASPAR Criteria
More recently, the ClASsification of Psoriatic ARthritis (CASPAR) study group has compiled a more sensitive and specific criteria set. This consists of the presence of an inflammatory condition in a joint, the spine, or entheses (the point where tendons or ligaments join to bone), plus at least three points from the following:
Current psoriasis (2 points)
A personal or family history of psoriasis (in the absence of current psoriasis) (1 point)
Dactylitis (swelling of digits) (1 point)
Nail dystrophy (pitting or ridging of nails) (1 point)
Negative rheumatoid factor (1 point)
Radiographic evidence of new bone formation (1 point)
Misdiagnosis of symptoms
Due to the similarity of symptoms, psoriatic arthritis could be mistaken for another type of arthritis, causing confusion when blood tests are negative for rheumatoid factor. Those who are young or fairly active may have tenderness or swelling put down to sports injuries, similarly, back pain is often dismissed in people of all ages as a part of general wear and tear. Nail changes such as pitting, discolouration or the formation of ridges is particularly common in people with psoriatic arthritis, and can occur even when there is no psoriasis on the skin. Without psoriasis of the skin, nail changes could be misdiagnosed as fungal infections or vitamin deficiencies. Pain or swelling in the feet, heels and toes could be misdiagnosed as gout.
Anybody with current psoriasis or a family history of the condition should request to see a Rheumatologist if they experience a swollen finger or toe with no explanation, pain or tenderness in the joints (especially of the hands and feet), recurring injuries or pain where tendons join to bone (such as tennis elbow or Achilles tendonitis), uveitis or iritis (inflammatory eye conditions). Pain or stiffness in the neck, back or lower back that improves with movement and is not relieved by rest can also be a sign of psoriatic arthritis.
How is it diagnosed?
At present there are no definitive guidelines for diagnosing psoriatic arthritis; a doctor will make a diagnosis based on symptoms and medical history, and by ruling out other conditions. Usually, a blood test will be carried out to test for rheumatoid factor (the antibody found in rheumatoid arthritis). This is usually negative in people with psoriatic arthritis, although a positive result can be due to causes other than rheumatoid arthritis. A doctor may also use X Rays, ultrasounds or other scans, such as an MRI to look at the patient’s joints. These scans often show inflammation or areas of new bone growth with poorly-defined edges in people with psoriatic arthritis.
Traditionally, the Moll and Wright (1973) criteria have been used to diagnose psoriatic arthritis. The criteria are: an inflammatory arthritis, the presence of psoriasis, and a blood test negative for rheumatoid factor. Although this criteria set is still used, it does have limitations, for example, psoriatic arthritis can occur without there being current psoriasis on the skin.
CASPAR Criteria
More recently, the ClASsification of Psoriatic ARthritis (CASPAR) study group has compiled a more sensitive and specific criteria set. This consists of the presence of an inflammatory condition in a joint, the spine, or entheses (the point where tendons or ligaments join to bone), plus at least three points from the following:
Current psoriasis (2 points)
A personal or family history of psoriasis (in the absence of current psoriasis) (1 point)
Dactylitis (swelling of digits) (1 point)
Nail dystrophy (pitting or ridging of nails) (1 point)
Negative rheumatoid factor (1 point)
Radiographic evidence of new bone formation (1 point)
Misdiagnosis of symptoms
Due to the similarity of symptoms, psoriatic arthritis could be mistaken for another type of arthritis, causing confusion when blood tests are negative for rheumatoid factor. Those who are young or fairly active may have tenderness or swelling put down to sports injuries, similarly, back pain is often dismissed in people of all ages as a part of general wear and tear. Nail changes such as pitting, discolouration or the formation of ridges is particularly common in people with psoriatic arthritis, and can occur even when there is no psoriasis on the skin. Without psoriasis of the skin, nail changes could be misdiagnosed as fungal infections or vitamin deficiencies. Pain or swelling in the feet, heels and toes could be misdiagnosed as gout.
Anybody with current psoriasis or a family history of the condition should request to see a Rheumatologist if they experience a swollen finger or toe with no explanation, pain or tenderness in the joints (especially of the hands and feet), recurring injuries or pain where tendons join to bone (such as tennis elbow or Achilles tendonitis), uveitis or iritis (inflammatory eye conditions). Pain or stiffness in the neck, back or lower back that improves with movement and is not relieved by rest can also be a sign of psoriatic arthritis.
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