Treatment Options for Scalp Psoriasis versus Dandruff
Topical treatments for scalp psoriasis may include:
– Medicated shampoos: You may need to wash your hair with these products on a daily basis for at least 1 month
– Steroids: This is the most effective way to treat scalp psoriasis
– Calcipotriene: This synthetic form of vitamin D3 can be applied to the scalp before bedtime to relieve the symptoms
– Lotions, creams, or ointments with scale-softening agents like urea or salicylic acid
Other treatment options may include:
– Light therapy
– Biologic medications
– Injected steroids
– Cyclosporine
– Acitretin
– Apremilast
Your doctor may combine these treatment options to ensure the best results. [8]
Most cases of dandruff can be treated easily with the use of OTC shampoos. They tend to come with different instructions on the total time that people should leave on their scalps before washing. You need to follow the manufacturers’ instructions to maximize the effects. Choose products with the following active ingredients as they are more effective: coal tar, salicylic acid, or zinc pyrithione. You may reduce the frequency of using these symptoms once the symptoms have improved. Nevertheless, stopping using may cause dandruff symptoms to recur. [9]
