Scalp Psoriasis VS Dandruff - Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment

You must have been noticing flakes in your hair lately, but is it psoriasis vs dandruff? After all, discovering white flakes in your hair and on your scalp can unsettle, prompting the need for action.

However, understanding the distinction between dandruff and scalp psoriasis is essential before pursuing treatment.

While dandruff is typically a milder, chronic scalp condition characterized by dry or greasy scales and flakes falling onto shoulders and clothing, psoriasis is a more serious, chronic inflammatory condition affecting various body systems, including the skin and immune system.

It often manifests as thick, itchy scales and plaques, frequently appearing on the scalp.

Thus, grasping How Is Scalp Psoriasis Different From Dandruff is crucial for staying on top of your health.

Read ahead to find everything you need to take the right course of action.

What is the Difference Between Dandruff and Psoriasis?

Acknowledging ourselves about the difference between dandruff and psoriasis is crucial, as they represent distinct conditions with varying levels of severity.

As dandruff tends to be a relatively minor concern, scalp psoriasis can manifest as a more serious skin condition.

Therefore, the disparity between scalp psoriasis and dandruff is essential for maintaining optimal health.

First off, dandruff is a common condition characterized by dry skin flakes on the scalp, which tend to fall over your shoulders. An overreaction to yeast on the skin often causes this, leading to inflammation and excessive skin cell production.

Well, seborrheic dermatitis, a form of eczema affecting areas with oil-producing glands, is a common cause of dandruff. It can result in red, oily skin patches with larger, yellowish flakes on the scalp.

On the other hand, Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease where autoantibodies mistakenly attack healthy tissue, speeding up skin cell production and leading to dry, flaky patches on the body or scalp. Unlike the normal shedding of dead skin, psoriasis accelerates it, causing a build-up of dead skin cells on areas like the scalp, elbows, knees, and back.

Psoriasis can manifest in various forms, such as cracked and dry skin, discolored patches with silvery scales, or salmon-colored patches with gray scales. The appearance may vary depending on skin tone, with medium skin tones showing silvery scales and darker skin tones displaying grey scales.

Causes of Scalp Psoriasis and Dandruff

Scalp Psoriasis

Scalp psoriasis is an immune system disorder wherein the immune system becomes hyperactive, resulting in inflammation that accelerates the production of new skin cells.

Ordinarily, the skin undergoes a renewal cycle every 28 to 30 days, but individuals with scalp psoriasis experience a rapid turnover, with new skin cells emerging every three to four days. This accelerates growth, coupling with the accumulation of new cells over old ones, resulting in thick patches of skin. Importantly, scalp psoriasis cannot be transmitted through direct skin contact with another person.

What are Symptoms of Psoriasis?

• Raised, discolored plaques exhibiting shades of red, brown, gray, or purple, often accompanied by a white or silvery layer of dead skin cells.
• Presence of plaques covering a significant portion or the entire of the scalp.
• Plaques extending to areas such as the hairline, forehead, back of the neck, or skin around the ears.
• Dryness of the scalp.
• Flakey skin.
• Itching sensation.
• Formation of cracks (fissures).
• Occasional bleeding.
• Irritation or discomfort.

Dandruff

Identifying the precise cause of your itchy, flaky scalp amidst various contributing factors. Here are several probable culprits:

• Secretions from the sebaceous glands.
• Utilization of abrasive hair and cosmetic items.
• Excessive or inadequate hair shampooing.
• Fungal colonization on the skin surface.
• Inadequate shampooing, leading to the accumulation of skin cells and resulting in flakes and itching, or conversely, excessive shampooing leading to scalp over-drying.
• Over-brushing the hair, causing friction with sensitive scalp skin
• Malassezia yeast, exacerbating scalp issues and promoting excess skin cell growth.
• Personal care products triggering contact dermatitis, characterized by redness and itchiness.
• Sunlight overexposure
• Pressure on the scalp from hats
• Dietary habits
• Exposure to dust or dirt

Nevertheless, people with oilier hair or specific medical conditions like Parkinson's disease or HIV are also at higher risk. Although symptoms may emerge around puberty, dandruff can manifest at any age though.

Diagnosing Scalp Psoriasis VS Dandruff

Scalp Psoriasis

To diagnose psoriasis, a thorough examination of your skin, scalp, and nails, searching for indicative signs of the condition, is considered. Additionally, an inquiry about overall health, medical history, and familial background, probing for factors such as.

• Presence of symptoms like skin itchiness or burning sensation.
• Recent illnesses or episodes of significant stress.
• Use of specific medications.
• Family history of the disease.
• Incidence of joint tenderness.

This determines whether psoriasis is present and, if so, identifies its specific type. To rule out other skin conditions resembling psoriasis, a small skin sample can be conducted for microscopic analysis.

Dandruff

Often, dandruff can be self-diagnosed at home just by observing flakes on your hair and scalp. However, if you have concerns about other underlying conditions, consulting a doctor or dermatologist is advisable. They can diagnose dandruff through a simple examination of your scalp and provide treatment.

But if the dandruff persists despite treatment, your healthcare provider may recommend a skin biopsy to eliminate other potential issues.

Natural Solutions and Treatment 

Scalp psoriasis 

To soothe and alleviate your symptoms from home, consider the following:

1. Brush your hair gently - Be gentle when brushing your hair and combing your scalp to avoid irritation.
2. Shower or bathe in lukewarm water - Opt for lukewarm water when showering or bathing, limiting your time in water to 15 minutes or fewer.
3. Use conditioner - If you apply conditioner regularly, it will maintain moisture in your scalp and hair.
4. Moisturize your scalp - Ensure to moisturize your scalp throughout the day by applying cream or ointment multiple times, especially after bathing to reduce red, scaly patches on your scalp.
5. Hair masks at home - Additionally, home remedies such as aloe vera, coconut oil, or olive oil can be beneficial. Creating a paste by mixing baking soda with water to apply it to affected areas for 10 minutes is another home remedy option, but it's essential to always consult your doctor before trying any treatment.

Dandruff  

If you prefer exploring natural remedies before resorting to medicated options, you might consider the following alternatives:

1. Maintain proper hygiene - Refrain from touching your scalp excessively, particularly when experiencing itchiness. Additionally, avoid introducing dirt, as it can exacerbate dandruff.
2. Adjust shampooing frequency - Strike a balance in shampooing to control oil production without overburdening the scalp with excessive products.
3. Manage stress - Stress can exacerbate dandruff by compromising the immune system's ability to combat Malassezia yeast.
4. Scalp massage - Massaging the scalp may aid in preventing dandruff symptoms.
5. Regular brushing - Brush damp hair at least twice daily to promote scalp health.
6. Aloe vera - Massage into your scalp with aloe vera before shampooing.

Best Anti-Dandruff Shampoo Suggested by Dermatologist

To address dandruff and other scaly, itchy skin issues such as psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis, the Coal Tar and Salicylic Acid Shampoo functions by prompting the shedding of dead skin cells from the surface layer, consequently inhibiting the excessive growth of skin cells. As a result, it diminishes scaling and dryness. While also alleviating the itchiness associated with these skin conditions.

The shampoo for scalp psoriasis is a clinically proven solution that offers natural relief for excessive dandruff and scalp psoriasis. While, it also effectively reduces extreme dryness, flakiness, itching, and scaliness to eliminate damaged skin cells and improve skin hydration, making Cosalic shampoo an ideal choice for addressing dry scalp issues. Thus, Coal Tar is renowned for its ability to manage itchy, scaly, and flaky skin, while Salicylic Acid powder removes thick scalp patches and maintains moisture levels to prevent irritation.

Does Scalp Psoriasis Cause Dandruff?

Psoriasis can lead to dry flakes resembling dandruff, albeit it represents a significantly more severe condition. It's crucial to understand that dandruff makes up a distinct condition rather than a mere symptom.

As dandruff-like flakes are frequently observed in scalp psoriasis and certain other scalp ailments. That’s where the distinguishing factor lies in the skin's location outbreak, along with additional symptoms such as plaques and inflammation that manifest in psoriasis but not in dandruff.

Final Words on Scalp Psoriasis VS Dandruff

Moreover, both dandruff and psoriasis can lead to scalp flakiness, yet they represent distinct conditions. Dandruff may arise from the body's heightened response to skin yeast seborrheic dermatitis or eczema.

In contrast, psoriasis is a persistent autoimmune disorder characterized by accumulating dead skin cells on the skin's surface. While it may impact the scalp, psoriasis can also affect various other parts of the body.

For those having psoriasis, expert-recommended shampoo can provide intense hydration to soothe itching and skin irritation, while offering gentle cleansing and preventing skin dryness to provide relief for both scalp and body.

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