Home remedies for psoriasis on the scalp can help ease some symptoms, but they’re not proven cures. To help reduce psoriasis symptoms, it can help to combine home remedies with the right medical treatment.
Psoriasis is a common skin condition that causes skin cells to quickly build up on the skin’s surface. For those who have lighter skin tones, it can appear pink or red 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 gray scale. It can also appear dark brown and difficult to see.
Psoriasis is also itchy, and sometimes the patches can be painful and may crack and bleed. Often, this condition affects the scalp, forehead, back of the ears, and neck. In this case, it’s called scalp psoriasis.
Scalp psoriasis is a chronic condition, meaning that it
tends to come and go over time. Often, it’s triggered or worsened by certain
factors such as:
- stress
- drinking alcohol
- smoking
It’s important to treat scalp psoriasis and monitor symptoms
for other conditions. Research has linked scalp psoriasis with chronic inflammation, which
occurs with other health issues such as:
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 you reduce mild to moderate scalp psoriasis symptoms. It would be best if you speak to your doctor before starting home treatment, especially for more aggressive forms of the condition.
Aloe vera
Aloe vera is a plant known for
its skin-healing properties. Creams that contain 0.5
percent aloe can help reduce itching, inflammation, flaking, and
redness on the scalp. This cream should be applied up to three times per day to
keep skin moist. It may take up to a month to start feeling and seeing positive
effects.
Baking soda
Baking soda is a quick and easy
treatment for an itchy scalp. Take a small glass of water and stir in one
tablespoon of baking soda. Then use a cotton pad or washcloth to apply the
mixture onto the area of your head that’s affected. You can even pour the
solution onto your head to relieve itching and inflammation under your hair.
Capsaicin
Chili peppers get their heat from a compound called capsaicin. German researchers
have found some evidence that products with capsaicin can help reduce the pain,
redness, inflammation, and flaking caused by psoriasis. But more research is
needed to understand exactly how it works.
Products containing capsaicin may sting skin. Avoid applying to open wounds and touching your eyes, genitals, mouth, and other sensitive areas after handling capsaicin cream.
Coconut or avocado oil
Coconuts and avocados are filled with healthy fats that boost skin health. Massage a few drops of either type of oil, cool or lightly heated, onto your scalp and put on a shower cap. Wait 20 minutes, remove the cap, then wash your hair as usual. This can reduce and remove some of the scaling associated with the condition.
Garlic
Garlic has strong anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants that improve skin condition, while preventing skin infections. While it has a strong odor, it does appear to reduce
Mix pureed or pressed raw garlic with aloe vera cream or gel in a ratio of 1-to-1. Put the mixture on the affected area for 15 to 20 minutes. Afterward, rinse with cool water. This treatment is safe to use daily.
Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon grape)
Also called barberry or Oregon grape, Mahonia aquifolium is an herb that affects the body’s immune response. Because of this, researchers believe it may help treat scalp psoriasis by reducing inflammation and other symptoms. Look for creams containing
Oatmeal bath
Adding a cup of raw ground unflavored oats to a warm bath
and soaking for 15 minutes may help reduce your scalp psoriasis symptoms. Oats
are especially effective for itching, inflammation, and flaking. Be sure to
keep the affected area fully submerged when bathing.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids, taken in the form of fish oil and plant-based supplements such as flax may reduce inflammation. While the effects of omega-3s on scalp psoriasis aren’t proven, it appears safe and perhaps beneficial to take omega-3s daily.
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. Try to stay in the tub for 15 minutes and apply a
moisturizing cream to your affected skin when you get out of the tub.
Shampoo
There are many specially made, nonmedicated over-the-counter shampoos used to treat scalp psoriasis. The most effective include those that contain 2 to 10 percent coal tar or anti-inflammatory salicylic acid. 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 can alleviate the inflammation and
redness associated with scalp psoriasis. Be aware that some people are allergic
and sensitive to tea tree oil, and the substance
has been linked to hormone changes in some people.
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
Vitamin D
Sunshine may help relieve some symptoms of scalp psoriasis.
Put on sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and spend 10 to 15 minutes in the
sun. Consider spending time outside in the morning when the sun is less
intense.
Talk to your doctor first if you’re taking medications for
your scalp psoriasis, as some may make you more prone to sunburn.
Scalp 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 pile up on the skin’s surface, causing psoriasis.
People with family members who have scalp psoriasis are more
likely to have the condition themselves. Those with HIV, stress, obesity, and
those who smoke are also more likely than others to have this condition.
Common triggers that 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, high blood
pressure drugs, antimalarials, and iodides
Scalp psoriasis and dermatitis are both common skin conditions affecting the scalp. These conditions share some of the same treatments and symptoms, including redness 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 skin tones, which often extend beyond the hairline, with itching and sometimes pain. With dermatitis, you may notice reddish skin covered by white or yellow scales, along with dandruff and itching. Treatment for psoriasis is often more aggressive than that for dermatitis.
If you suspect you have scalp psoriasis, you should schedule an appointment with a doctor. They may examine your scalp to rule out other conditions before sending 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.