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Hair Loss Caused by Psoriasis

Friday, December 18th, 2009

One of the most unsettling effects of psoriasis, aside from chronic physical discomfort, is the hair loss that can occur for those who have problems with their scalp. The scalp is one of the most commonly affected areas for people with psoriasis.  For those who are thus affected, hair loss can be a major concern for the simple reason that scratching the scalp damages the hair follicles, causing hair to fall out at an abnormally fast rate. This can mean that, not only does a patient have to cope with an irritated and itchy scalp, but also experience the cosmetic issue of hair loss.

In general, treating the underlying issue will bring hair loss under control.  There are, of course, different treatments for preventing and/or restoring hair loss, but for our purposes, the first step is to identifying the main problem, which is psoriasis. Note: if you are experiencing suspicious new scalp problems you probably should visit a doctor who can positively diagnose if this is psoriasis or another scalp condition.

For people suffering from psoriasis, treating the problem can be as simple as finding a moisturizer for a dry scalp, in which case heavy conditioners or hair oil treatments can be massaged in to bring almost instant relief.

Medicated shampoos designed to combat psoriasis on the scalp can be the best good way to stop itching and, by extension, hair loss.  I have had a lot of success using two medicated shampoos by Neutrogena – T/Sal (which contains salicylic acid) and T/Gel – Stubborn Itch Control (which contains coal tar and menthol).

The skin under your hair is more difficult to reach for obvious reasons, and thus topical treatments can be difficult to apply.  In any case, for those who are determined enough (or possibly for those who are willing to shave their head), steroids can be effectively applied to the scalp for relief from itching, irritation and swelling.

Unfortunately, hair loss is a common issue among people suffering from psoriasis on the scalp.  This symptom, which results from damaged hair follicles, can have a major impact on a person’s self esteem and social life. If you need more information about finding relief, don’t hesitate to visit your dermatologist with a list of questions in hand.  Researchers are constantly on the lookout for a cure for psoriasis, so there is a good chance that there will be new options at your disposal all the time.

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Vitamin Supplements – Natural Psoriasis Alternatives

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

Positive lifestyle changes have been proven to reduce the severity of psoriasis flare-ups and prevent the condition from worsening over the long haul.  Using vitamins and minerals as supplements as well as ingredients in creams and ointments is part of this change. Instead of a petroleum based cream or ointment, for example, you might try using zinc oxide.

Making sure your body maintains a healthy balance of vitamins and minerals is an inexpensive alternative to prescription drugs and often works as well as if not better.  Zinc, for example, is also available in supplement form (a long-term deficiency of this mineral may trigger psoriasis). Vitamin supplements such as Vitamin D are recommended by physicians to keep skin healthy (though only in specific, prescribed amounts).

The skin derives vitamin D naturally from exposure to sunlight.  Thus, depending on the treatment regimen for psoriasis, exposing inflamed skin to the sun is prescribed by doctors in small doses. Vitamin B folate, also known as folic acid and Omega-3 fatty acids are also recommended. A variety of vitamin supplements could be added to enhance any average person’s diet.

Vitamin B is found in asparagus, leafy green vegetables, fruits, orange juice and yeast.  Most people do not consume as much of these foods as they should thus, taking supplements helps reduce any nutritional deficit.

Omega-3 fatty acids that are found in some fish oils have anti-inflammatory properties. If fish is not a common part of your diet, fish oil can be added as a supplement (be careful to choose brands that specifically avoid excessive mercury content).

Vitamin A is essential for healthy eyes and vision, a strong immune system and growth for bones and cells. Liver, butter, whole milk, egg yolks, and dark green fruits and vegetables are high in Vitamin A.

In addition to protecting the immune system, vitamin supplements help improve the texture and color of the skin. This is particularly essential for people with psoriasis. Selenium and vitamin E can be used to boost the immune system. Studies have shown visible improvement of psoriasis lesions after six to eight weeks of use.

One thing that is common to many if not all psoriasis sufferers is the deficiency of certain vitamins and minerals. Ongoing deficiencies in combination with stress and severe weather can increase the frequency and severity of flare-ups.  But a healthy, well-balanced diet will help reduce the impact psoriasis might have on a person’s quality of life.

Psoriasis is considered an incurable, non-infectious disease but there are different methods available for treating associated symptoms. Ointments and creams that contain coal tar, vitamin supplements and retinoids are routinely used. Pills and injections are also commonly prescribed to alleviate the symptoms associated with moderate to severe psoriasis.  Using natural supplements, however, tends to be the least invasive and most sustainable option for curing psoriasis long-term.

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Different Types of Psoriasis

Friday, December 4th, 2009

Psoriasis is a chronic, autoimmune disease that manifests in several forms, primary affecting the skin.  In many cases only one type of psoriasis will appear at a time.  In other cases several types may occur at the same time or after another form clears.

The most common form is plaque psoriasis.  Symptoms begin as small dry patches of skin, usually appearing on opposite sides of the body. These patches may or may not be noticeably inflamed. As the affect areas grow, the skin appears to grow in thicker, flaky layers. Some patches may be ring shaped. The edges are raised and the texture resembles snake scales. As more patches appear they often link together, forming larger areas.

While the symptoms caused by plaque psoriasis can be controlled, they may persist for long periods of time.  They often become worse when the weather gets cold, or during times of stress. It most often occurs on the elbows, knees and lower back. Treatments include coal tar or steroid based ointments and light therapy.

Guttate psoriasis often starts in children and young adults.  It appears as red spots on the torso, arms and legs. It usually begins suddenly and can incite a variety of symptoms that cause stress to the body and threaten overall health.  It can be brought on by upper respiratory infections, strep throat and skin trauma. Certain types of beta-blocking medications can worsen this condition.

Inverse psoriasis is characterized by smooth, shiny patches of inflamed skin. It usually occurs in body folds, such as under the arms, behind the knees, around the groin or under the breasts. Because of its location, flare-ups occur frequently due to the irritation of rubbing and sweating. Steroid creams are most commonly used, but can cause other skin issues if overused.

Other types of psoriasis spread indiscriminately across the entire body. An example of this is erythrodermic psoriasis. It may occur alongside pustular psoriasis.

Erythrodermic psoriasis is one of the more uncommon types of psoriasis.  It occurs in only one to two percent of the psoriatic population. Symptoms include severe itching, pain an a general imbalance of body chemistry.  Skin affected by erythrodermic psoriasis consistently looks as if it has been burned and body temperature fluctuates significantly with extreme weather conditions. While plaque psoriasis flakes off in small, scale-like patches, erythrodermic psoriasis causes larger sheets of skin to fall off all at once.  Those who suffer from this type of psoriasis are prone to different infections as well as pneumonia and congestive heart-failure, thus it is imperative to keep the condition under control.

Guttate Psoriasis:
guttate psoriasis picture
Plaque Psoriasis:
plaque psoriasis

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Coal Tar – A Traditional, Effective Psoriasis Treatment

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009

Coal tar has been used as an effective treatment for psoriasis for over a century. It is a by-product of carbonized coal.

Coal is carbonized when it is processed and distilled for use as coke or coal gas. Though many of its components have not been identified, it seems to slow the growth of skin cells. This improves the skin’s appearance by reducing the inflammation and scaling characteristics of the psoriasis. Coal tar is found in many products developed for skin conditions, from shampoos to creams and bath gels. It is also used in combination with phototherapy to improve the condition of the skin.

The side effects of coal tar are few and for most, insignificant. It can irritate the skin, causing it to redden and dry the skin. These symptoms can usually be reduced by using moisturizer. Tar makes the skin photosensitive, which makes it more prone to burning than usual. Liberal use of sunscreen is recommended after phototherapy used in conjunction with the application of an ointment or cream containing tar.

Many people discard the possibility of using coal tar products, as they can stain the skin and clothing.  They also have a very strong accompanying odor and, when applied to the scalp, may temporarily discolor one’s hair.

Despite the messiness and odor, many psoriasis patients prefer products with coal tar over other remedies that contain steroids. The side effects for steroids are numerous and vary from patient to patient. There are some concerns about the safety of products that use tar. The FDA and the National Psoriasis Foundation have deemed it a safe, effective and inexpensive treatment for a variety of skin conditions. The concentration is between 0.5% and 5% and they carry warning labels that meet California’s Prop 65 requirements.

This puts them in the category labeled as No Significant Risk Levels. Solar radiation, alcoholic beverages and tobacco products are similarly labeled. Formulas that utilize more than 5% are categorized as Group1 carcinogens and cannot be purchased over the counter. Despite 75 years of documented safe use, there is some controversy over its possible carcinogenic affects and the use of tar in some consumer products, such as cosmetics, is banned in several European countries As a result, many products that used to contain coal tar have been modified, replacing the tar with salicylic acid.  Many, however, feel that salicylic acid is not as effective.

Neutrogena’s T/Gel is a common over-the-counter coal tar shampoo that I use on a regular basis — my scalp would not be able to survive without it.

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