Syphilis: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

Treating Scalp Psoriasis At Home, Naturally

Home remedies for scalp psoriasis include medicated ointments, aloe vera, and various vitamin and mineral supplements. While they can help ease some symptoms, they are not proven cures.

Psoriasis is a common skin condition that causes skin cells to build up on the skin's surface quickly.

It can appear pink or red on lighter skin tones with a silvery-white scale. On medium skin tones, it can appear salmon-colored with a silvery-white scale. On darker skin tones, psoriasis could look violet with grayscale. It can also appear dark brown and difficult to see.

Psoriasis is itchy, and sometimes, the patches can be painful and may crack and bleed. This condition often affects the scalp, forehead, back of the ears, and neck. In this case, it's called scalp psoriasis.

Most doctors recommend topical medications, light therapy, and medications that affect the entire body to treat scalp psoriasis, but some home remedies may also help.

The following home treatments are generally safe and may help reduce mild to moderate scalp psoriasis symptoms. It is best to speak to your doctor before starting home treatment, especially for more severe forms of the condition.

Aloe vera

Aloe vera is a plant known for its skin-healing properties. Creams that contain 0.5% aloe can help reduce itching, inflammation, and flaking on the scalp. You can apply this cream up to three times daily to help keep skin moist. It may take up to a month to start feeling and seeing positive effects.

Capsaicin

Chili peppers get their heat from a compound called capsaicin. Some people believe that topical products with capsaicin can help reduce the pain, skin discoloration, inflammation, and flaking caused by psoriasis. However, there is limited evidence as to the clinical efficacy of these treatments, and more research is needed to understand exactly how it works.

Coconut oil

Coconuts contain healthy fats that boost skin health. Several topical psoriasis treatments use coconut and other oils to help soften thick plaques and soothe irritation.

Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon grape)

Also called barberry or Oregon grape, Mahonia aquifolium is an herb that affects the body's immune response. Due to this, researchers believe it may help treat scalp psoriasis by reducing inflammation and other symptoms. Look for creams containing 10% concentration.

Colloidal oatmeal

Adding a cup of raw ground unflavored oats to a warm bath and soaking for around 15 minutes may help reduce your scalp psoriasis symptoms. Topical products containing oatmeal have also helped reduce psoriasis symptoms on application.

Omega-3 fatty acids

Many people living with psoriasis take omega-3 supplements as part of their lifestyle. These supplements may reduce inflammation and the severity of psoriasis symptoms. However, research is not conclusive on how much they help psoriasis symptoms.

That said, omega-3 supplements are safe to take in most cases and can help form part of an overall healthy, balanced diet.

Sea or Epsom salt

Soaking your whole body, including the affected part of your head, in warm water with dissolved sea salt or Epsom salt may reduce scalp psoriasis symptoms. The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends bathing in warm, not hot, water and keeping all baths to 15 minutes or less.

Medicated shampoos

There are many specially made, nonmedicated, over-the-counter shampoos to treat scalp psoriasis. These often contain coal tar and moisturizers to lessen itching and salicylic acid to soften plaques. Use as directed on the bottle.

Tea tree oil

Tea tree is a plant believed to treat inflammatory skin conditions. It works as an antiseptic and may alleviate the inflammation and discoloration associated with scalp psoriasis. While it is a popular natural remedy, little research directly supports its use as a treatment for scalp psoriasis.

Turmeric

Turmeric is an herb well known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Those with scalp psoriasis may reduce symptoms by taking a daily turmeric supplement or trying to incorporate more turmeric — fresh or powdered — into their cooking. Taking 1.5–3 grams of turmeric daily is considered safe and helpful.

Vitamin D

Direct sunlight exposure may help relieve scalp psoriasis symptoms in some people. Synthetic vitamin D supplements are also an option.

It is essential to practice good skin safety outside, such as limiting direct exposure and wearing a suitable SPF. Some people may also consider spending time outside in the morning when the sun is less intense. Talk with a doctor first if you're taking medications for your scalp psoriasis, as some may make you more prone to sunburn.

Scalp psoriasis and other forms of psoriasis occur when the immune system doesn't work properly. Skin cells grow too quickly, growing within days rather than weeks. The body can't shed these skin cells quickly enough to match the new growth. They collect on the skin's surface, causing psoriasis.

People with family members with scalp psoriasis are likelier to have the condition. Those with HIV, stress, obesity, and anyone who smokes are also more likely than others to have this condition.

Common triggers that may set off or worsen flare-ups of scalp psoriasis include:

infections, including strep throat or skin infections

skin injuries, such as cuts, scrapes, insect bites, or severe sunburn

stress

smoking

alcohol use

vitamin D deficiency

some medications, such as lithium, blood pressure drugs, antimalarials, and iodides

Scalp psoriasis and dermatitis are both common skin conditions affecting the scalp. They share some of the same treatments and symptoms, including discoloration and flaky skin. However, these conditions have different causes, and your doctor will be able to tell them apart.

Signs of scalp psoriasis could include silver, violet, salmon, or red scales, depending on skin tone. These scales often extend beyond the hairline, and there is itching and sometimes pain.

You may notice dandruff and itching with dermatitis, which will look different based on your skin tone. On darker skin, dermatitis rashes typically appear gray, purple, or a shade darker than your usual skin tone. On lighter skin, the patches will typically appear pink or red.

If you suspect you have scalp psoriasis, schedule an appointment with a doctor. They may examine your scalp to rule out other conditions before referring you to a dermatologist for further evaluation and treatment.

Scalp psoriasis is a chronic skin condition caused by issues with the immune system.

While it's important to seek medical treatment for this condition to prevent complications, you can add home remedies to your treatment plan to reduce symptoms and better manage your scalp psoriasis.

Your Guide For Psoriasis Home Remedies

Under the guidance of your doctor, home remedies might provide symptom relief for dry, itchy, inflamed psoriasis skin.

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition featuring thick, red, scaly patches of skin called plaques. While 5 different types of psoriasis exist, plaque psoriasis is the most common, affecting millions of people around the world.

When you live with psoriasis, plaques can form in many different shapes and sizes. They can appear anywhere on the body, but tend to develop primarily on the scalp, elbows, knees, or lower back.

Psoriasis is often itchy and painful, and scratching can make it worse. While many people treat psoriasis effectively with prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) products, some home remedies may also help soothe symptoms.

Before starting any home care regime, speak with your doctor. Psoriasis triggers, which are conditions or factors that worsen symptoms, can be different for everyone. Some home remedies may aggravate your psoriasis even if they've worked well for other people.

There's currently no cure for psoriasis. This means no home remedy can completely relieve your symptoms with a guarantee they won't return someday.

There's also no universal "best" home remedy. Psoriasis can be very unique to each individual. What irritates your skin might not bother someone else, and what works for someone else might not work for you.

The "best" psoriasis home remedy will be one that provides relief, fits into your lifestyle, and doesn't cause any concerning side effects.

However, here is a list of six of the best options.

Aloe vera

Aloe vera is a medicinal succulent plant supported by research as a skin-healing agent. It has thick leaves that contain a gel-like inner substance that can be directly applied from the plant or incorporated into skin care products.

According to a systematic review from 2019, aloe vera has a variety of antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. It appears to be an effective home remedy for psoriasis lesions when used twice daily for 4 to 8 weeks.

If you're not using aloe directly from a plant, the National Psoriasis Foundation recommends looking for OTC products that contain at least 0.5% aloe.

Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a type of vinegar made from fermented apple juice. While originally used as a food preservative and ingredient, it's also a popular home remedy for a variety of conditions. Due to its antimicrobial properties, it may help reduce itching for some people with psoriasis.

Not much research supports the use of apple cider vinegar for psoriasis, however. In fact, recent studies reviewing its effects in atopic dermatitis, another inflammatory skin condition, found that 0.5% ACV soaks had no significant effects on skin bacteria composition or skin barrier integrity.

If you're looking to try ACV as a home remedy for psoriasis, you can apply a diluted solution (equal parts ACV to water) several times per day, allowing it to dry before rinsing.

Colloidal oatmeal paste

Colloidal oatmeal refers to finely ground oatmeal powder. When mixed with water, it can create a thick paste that's popular for its anti-inflammatory benefits and soothing effects on the skin. You can make your own colloidal oatmeal by grinding whole oats in a blender or food processor.

Like some other psoriasis home remedies, there's not much research to support using colloidal oatmeal paste for psoriasis, but some people report less itchiness after using an oatmeal paste or taking an oatmeal bath.

Oatmeal is gentle and can be used daily. How often will depend on your personal preference. Some people apply pastes for 10 to 15 minutes, twice daily, while others take oatmeal baths once or twice weekly.

Turmeric

Turmeric powder has a long history of being used in food preparation, medication, and spiritual practices throughout many parts of the world. While it's a flowering plant related to ginger, turmeric powder comes from the plant's underground stems called rhizomes.

Turmeric is widely used for its anti-inflammatory properties. When taken orally, it inhibits the production of TNF-α and TNF-dependent activation of NF-κB, molecules known for their involvement in psoriasis's development.

By inhibiting these molecules, turmeric helps suppress the chain of inflammatory events leading to psoriasis flares. In other words, turmeric can help slow the inflammatory process underlying psoriasis, reducing the severity of symptoms.

Turmeric for psoriasis can be taken by mouth in capsules or powder (the dose will be indicated by the product you select), or you can use an OTC topical product.

If you take turmeric orally, taking a black pepper supplement with it will improve how effectively your body absorbs curcumin, the primary active ingredient.

Honey

Honey, a sugary substance produced by bees, is another natural product with antimicrobial properties. It has a successful history of topical use in wound healing due to its ability to promote tissue regeneration and ward off infection.

According to a 2020 review and meta-analysis, topical honey has been shown to be effective for treating plaque psoriasis and mild-to-moderate scalp psoriasis.

You can apply honey directly to psoriasis lesions several times per day, covering the area with a wound dressing to help prevent the honey from spreading. To ensure the highest quality, consider purchasing medical-grade honey.

Black cumin

Black cumin, also known as black seed, is one of many plants that may contain therapeutic compounds for psoriasis. Taken orally, the seeds of this flowering plant have been a staple in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries.

A 2023 review notes black cumin has a spectrum of effects ranging from pain relief and cancer prevention to inflammation reduction and infection prevention. It's considered to be a promising treatment for a variety of skin conditions, including psoriasis.

One recent rodent study from 2023 concluded that oral black cumin seed oil could be used as an effective treatment for moderate psoriasis, but more research in humans is needed to prove the benefits.

You can purchase black cumin seed oil in capsule form. Take it by mouth according to the package directions.

The Best Dry Scalp Treatment For Moisturizing Relief

Buying Guide: The Best Dry Scalp Treatment

A dry scalp is a tricky condition. It can start so subtle that it's hard to notice, but over time it can become so intense that it interferes with your everyday life. Whether it's caused by a dry winter or an ongoing problem with the texture and health of your hair, it's essential to address the issue so you don't end up with a severely dry, itchy scalp that's prone to infection. In this guide, we'll go over the causes of scalp dryness, what to look for in products designed to solve this kind of problem, and how to use them properly to achieve optimal results.

Causes of Dry Scalp Chemical Exposure

Hair products like hair dyes and shampoos often contain harsh chemicals like chlorine, bleach, and sulfates that strip away your scalp's natural oil and make it more susceptible to dryness. Often, this type of damage is seen as dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis.

If you're dealing with dandruff or an itchy scalp that causes redness and irritation, try using a moisturizing shampoo that contains ingredients like tea tree oil and peppermint oil.

Over-washing or Under-washing

Some people wash their hair too often and some people don't wash their hair enough. I remember when I was younger I'd wash my hair every day! If you wash your hair too often, it will strip off all the natural oils from your scalp, resulting in dryness. On the other hand, if you don't wash your hair enough, then there will be oil and dirt on your scalp, which can clog up the pores and cause dandruff.

To avoid these issues, it's recommended that you use lukewarm water when washing your hair and limit the number of washes to every two to three days.

Scalp Infections

One of the most common reasons for dry scalp is psoriasis. The condition causes skin cells on your scalp to grow in thick, scaly layers that shed off easily. If you have psoriasis, the scales may contain flakes of skin or even blood.

While you can use OTC products to relieve the symptoms of a dry scalp caused by psoriasis, it's best to get treatment from your doctor. You may be advised to take prescription medications or use ointments that contain corticosteroids.

What to Look For in a Dry Scalp Treatment Ingredients

Just like other skin care products, the ingredients in a dry scalp treatment play a huge role in your skin's overall health. You want to look for products that contain natural ingredients like tea tree oil, aloe vera gel, and shea butter, as these will nourish your scalp without drying it out further. Some even contain active ingredients like salicylic acid and lactic acid, which help exfoliate dead skin cells on the scalp to reduce flaking.

Besides these ingredients, you should pay close attention to the product's formulation. While some dry scalp treatments are simply a mixture of essential and carrier oils, others contain ingredients like alcohol, parabens, and sulfates. Although these chemicals will give you the instant relief you're looking for, they'll also dry out your scalp and cause further problems down the line.

Consistency

When choosing a dry scalp treatment, it's important to consider its consistency. While most people are familiar with the difference between liquids and creams, many other types of products will suit different hair types.

For example, if your hair is very thick and curly or coarse, you may want to choose an oil-based product over something water-soluble like shampoo. Similarly, if you have fine, thin hair that's prone to frizziness, a gel or mousse will help keep flyaways under control.

Easy of Use

If you don't want to spend a lot of time in the shower each morning, (I know I don't!) you should probably choose a hair care product that's easy to use. These days, many come with a convenient nozzle or a comb applicator, making the application process a cinch. If you're looking for something even more simple, look for products that don't require rinsing out or leave behind any residue.

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