Does Psoriasis Cause Hair Loss? Psoriasis itchy scalp hair loss treatment

There is no question that psoriasis on the scalp can and does cause hair loss, particularly if the lesions become too thick. For some people, hair loss becomes a major concern when they find their hair falling out in clumps. When you realize that the hair follicles extend only a fraction of an inch into the subcutaneous cellular tissue of the scalp, it is easy to understand that hair loss is not only possible but can be expected when psoriasis affects the deeper layers of the skin. This is why the scalp should be shampooed gently with the fleshy part of the fingertips rather than the nails. There is one encouraging note: in the majority of cases, the hair can grow back completely as the internal cleansing process took place.

Psoriasis along the Hairline

Three products stand our above all others as having a beneficial effect for psoriasis along the hairline, the back of the ears, and in small, circumscribed areas on the scalp. They are Baker’s P&S Liquid, medicated Vaseline, and Ray’s Ointment.

They may be applied with the fingertips, cotton swabs, or a cotton-wrapped orangewood stick, They are to be rubbed in deeply but gently, taking care not to cause damage with fingernails. Remember, the skin is traumatized enough already.

For Itchy Scalp

It may be hard to believe, but these common household mouthwashes are among the best products available to relieve itching of the scalp: Lavoris, Listerine, and Glyco- Thymoline. By rubbing them gently into the scalp in cases of dandruff or scaling, considerable relief can be immediate. These mouthwashes can also soothe a scalp that has flared up after an electric heat cap and oil treatment .

In the case of generalized itch all over the scalp, the mouthwashes may be diluted in a quart of warm water and used as a rinse, or they may be applied full strength, with the fleshy part of the fingertips, to specific itchy spots. Another anti-itch remedy used successfully by several of my patients is a mixture of two ounces of apple cider vinegar or white vinegar to six ounces of lukewarm water. It is mixed, slowly poured over the entire head, rubbed in gently and then left on for about a minute or two. It is rinsed with lukewarm water, followed by a final rinse of water as cool as is comfortable.

Above all, do not scratch. This can lead only to spreading of the psoriatic lesions, bleeding , and possibly infection.

Shampoo and Electric Heat Cap Treatments

The shampoo treatment and an electric heat cap treatment that I have worked out for my patients are detailed in the following sections.

Shampoo Treatment for a Scaly Psoriatic Scalp

Necessary Items

• A large cake of Cuticura soap or a bottle ofCuticura shampoo (preferred), tea tree oil shampoo, an olive oil-based shampoo, T-Gel, or Z- Tar shampoo
• An unlined shower cap (or a disposable one)
• One Handi Wipe or absorbent cotton strips
• An 8-ounce measuring CUp
• A timer
• One bottle of apple cider vinegar (for thick hair) or white vinegar (for fine hair) or fresh lemons (alternative)

Psoriatic patients should never use any fotm of color or dye on their hair, especially when sores and scales are prevalent on the scalp, as this may very well cause an inflammatory, anergic, or even infectious reaction. Therefore, the following instructions for shampoo treatment should be applied only to the natural scalp.

Because of adverse effects on several patients who used a blow dryer or other hair dryer, I advise my patients not to use such electrical appliances. If they must be used, however, they should be used on the lowest or coolest setting. It is preferable chat the hair be allowed to dry naturally.

Shampoo Treatment

1. Wet hair thoroughly with warm water.

2. Massage the scalp, working the shampoo into a rich lather using the fingertips, not the fingernails.

3. Leave the lather on the scalp for a full three minutes, then rinse,

4. Repeat steps 1 through 3, then dry the hair with a thick towel. For a final rinse, mix 2 ounces of apple cider vinegar, white vinegar,
Lavoris, or Lisrerine with 6 ounces of lukewarm water, then gently work through the scalp.

6. Towel-dry the hair, and if you must use a hair dryer, use (he “cool” setting.

This treatment may be repeated two or three times per week, depending on the thickness of the scales that accumulate on the scalp. Shampooing every day is not a good idea.

Electric Heat Cap and Oil Treatment Perform this treatment about twice a month, or as deemed necessary.

Required Items

• An electric heat cap (available at health and beauty aid stores)
• Olive oil=peanut oil mixture (50/50), unscented
• Baby shampoo
• Apple cider vinegar, white vinegar, Lavoris, or Listerine
• An 8-ounce measuring cup

Procedure for Treatment

1. Shampoo the scalp as descri bed insteps 1 through 3 of the shampoo treatment.
2. After rinsing, towel-dry the hair without rubbing the scalp.
3, Cover the scalp with the olive oil=peanut oil mixture, gently massaging into the scalp (using the fingertips, not the fingernails) for about three minutes.
4. Place the heat cap over the scalp, using medium heat for twenty minutes, Of less for very sensitive scalps.
5. Remove cap. You may leave on the coating of oil for a while, making sure to wipe off any excess with a good quality paper towel.
6. Wash the oils out with baby shampoo. To completely remove the oils, a second shampoo may be necessary.
7. For a final rinse, mix 2 ounces of apple cider vinegar, white vinegar, Lavoris, or Listerine with 6 ounces of lukewarm water, then gently work through the scalp.

Mouthwashes such as Lavoris, Glyco- Thymoline, and even Listerine, when rubbed gently into the scalp, can be beneficial in treating cases of dandruff or scaling or the flare-ups that may occur after an oil treatment. They have also been suggested for use in combating severe itching of the scalp.

The Overnight Oil Treatment

Psoriasis of the scalp responds very well to the olive oil-peanut oil overnight application. After shampooing the scalp, as previously described, the patient then gently massages a 50/50 mixture of olive oil and peanur oil (such as Aura Glow or Almond Glow, or make your own), thoroughly into the scalp. A disposable shower cap is worn overnight. If it is more practical to do so, it can be left on for a few hours only before bedtime. In the morning, the cap is removed and the scalp shampooed to clean off the oil. Just a quick cleansing will do, followed by a rinse using two ounces of apple cider vinegar, Listerine, or Glyco- Thyrnoline in six ounces of warm water, or to make it more dilute, mix four ounces in twenty-eight ounces of warm water, making a full quart. Pour it over the scalp slowly and let it set for a minute or two, then make a final rinse using lukewarm or even cool water. The patient then pats the hair dry with a towel. You may use a blow dryer, but remember to use the “cool” setting.

Many effective shampoos exist today that were not available at the time of the first printing of this book. It is obvious that some work better on different people, so a person must try different shampoos to find out which is best for him or her -

• Olive oil shampoo
• Tea tree oil shampoo (from Baar Products and the Heritage Store)
. Neutrogena (T-Gel and T-Sal)
• Tegrin shampoo p&S· shampoo (Baker’s)
• Aloe vera gel shampoo
• Cuticura seap or shampoo (from Baar Products)

Baar Products has available a Psoriasis Kit that contains Slippery Elm Bark, American Yellow Saffron Tea, Psoriasis Medicated Scalp and Body Wash, and Psoriasis Cream.

The best results are obtained by leaving the soapy lather on the scalp for a few minutes before washing out. A second lather is applied and again allowed to stand for a few minutes before rinsing. Towel dry hair and do not use a hair dryer unless it is on the cool setting. Some people report good results in removing scales on the body by using the lathered shampoo on all body lesions after the scalp has been lathered up. They then leave it on for a few minutes before washing off.

Oftentimes, I have seen a terribly afflicted scalp clear up before any other part of the body, with all hair restored to normal. In one particular case, a patient had a scalp with lesions that felt like golf balls. The lesions completely disappeared in about two months, once be committed himself to the regimen, after having suffered for years with the affliction.

Remember, try not to scratch the scalp. It can only lead to damage to the hair follicles and production of new lesions. Carbolated Vaseline, which can be applied to the hairline, can no longer be obtained. It had been used effectively for decades. In place of Carbolated Vaseline for the hairline, medicated Vaseline can be tried, available through your local pharmacy, or Ray’s Ointment, available through the Heritage Store.  These topical remedies all help the scalp to feel better, but remember, the real healing comes from within.

Tagged as: hair loss, itchy scalp