Other Causes Of Hair Loss
There are many potential causes for hair loss apart from psoriasis or its treatments. Aside from medication side effects, stress and infections can be the culprit. That can happen when stress or certain infections trigger your psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis to flare. If plaques then worsen on your scalp, your ability to grow healthy hair is impacted.
Other factors unrelated to psoriasis or its treatments can also play into hair loss. Certain inherited genes can result in hair loss and thinning. Other causes might include the following:
- Age
- Anemic condition
- Alopecia areata diagnosis
Certain medical treatments, most notably drugs used to treat cancer, can also cause similar symptoms. Even certain hair care routines wearing your hair in too-tight styles or overusing chemicals or heat can result in hair loss.
Crohns Disease And Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Inflammatory bowel diseases , like Crohns disease, ulcerative colitis and celiac disease, are still not fully understood, nor is the connection between IBD and hair loss.
Regardless, research shows that the immune system is involved in the mediation of inflammatory bowel diseases, and this might be one way IBD can contribute to hair loss. Often, immunosuppressant medications are given to help manage IBDs, and these might also contribute to hair loss.
Also, people who are dealing with inflammatory bowel diseases often have trouble absorbing adequate vitamins and minerals, so dietary deficiencies might also cause hair loss. And then theres stress. Stress and IBD are often joined at the hip, and stress can have some pretty major impacts on our follicles, too.
Find Out: Everything You Need to Know About Stress and Hair Loss
What Is Traction Alopecia
Traction alopecia is hair loss caused by prolonged traction or tension to the hair follicle. Tight ponytails, braids, and chemicals can all cause hair breakage, especially when experienced for a prolonged period of time. The prolonged tension of some hairstyles can damage the hair follicle, leading to hair loss, which can become permanent. A survey by the American Academy of Dermatology found that almost half of all African-American women have experienced hair loss due to traction alopecia. Management of traction alopecia involves changing hairstyles and practices to reduce the tension on the hair. Treatments are also available that can promote hair regrowth.2
Don’t Miss: Does Invega Cause Hair Loss
Common Psoriasis Triggers & Causes
-
Cold and/or Dry Weather
Unfortunately, a psoriasis flare is stressful itself so that can prolong an outbreak as well.
Both types of weather can lead to dry skin, which exacerbates and triggers psoriasis. Sufferers tend to find that hot and sunny weather often helps to control their symptoms.
Medication
Some prescription drugs such as beta-blockers for high blood pressure and heart disease, lithium for bipolar disorder, anti-malaria medications, etc. can trigger psoriasis symptoms.
Smoking
Differing studies argue whether smoking triggers psoriasis or just makes it worse and last longer but its definitely a factor.
Infections
A variety of medical conditions like tonsillitis, strep throat, HIV, etc. may trigger psoriasis flares.
Skin Trauma
For some people, something as simple as a bruise can trigger a psoriasis outbreak known as a Koebner phenomenon. Other flare-causing skin issues can be cuts, burns, bumps, vaccinations, tattoos, scrapes, severe sunburns, etc.
Alcohol
Heavy drinking can trigger a psoriasis flare.
Vitamin D Deficiency
A 2011 study indicates that Vitamin D can help immune system regulation concerning psoriasis so its believed that a deficiency can also trigger a flare-up.
How Does Psoriasis Lead To Hair Loss
As well as being visibly noticeable, psoriasis can be unbearably itchy. The itching can get so bad it can interfere with sleep and your everyday interactions. And that’s not all. Too much scratching can cause temporary hair loss over time as the hair follicles become damaged. The aim is to avoid scratching even though it’s really difficult. “When the scale is shed, it tends to pull the hair out with it,” said Bard. “While the inflammation doesn’t specifically affect the hair follicle, inflammation of the scalp can have a detrimental effect on hair growth and can lead to shedding.”
Though psoriasis scales are upsetting to live with, you might also suffer from hair loss if you try to forcibly remove scales. The American Academy of Dermatology Association suggests avoiding scratching and picking at the scales to lessen the chance of aggravating the skin. They also recommended keeping fingernails short and filed down to reduce hair loss and limit the damage caused when scratching is the only option.
It’s important to note that psoriatic alopecia also known as hair loss due to psoriasis can affect the entire scalp, and some data suggests that those living with psoriasis are also potentially at risk of developing alopecia areata over time. This is why, if you’re living with severe psoriasis, you must check in with a dermatologist or health care professional to arrange an educated treatment plan.
Read: What Is Alopecia Areata? One Type of Hair Loss Explained
Don’t Miss: Why Am I Having Hair Loss
Plaque Psoriasis Scalp Hair Loss
Unlike dry scalp, which typically results in small little flakes, or even seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis is known for having a much thicker scale or plaques. Psoriasis.
Secukinumab maintains superiority over ustekinumab in clearing skin and improving quality of life in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis: 52-week results from a double-blind phase 3b.
Got a dry, itchy, and irritated scalp? We found the seven best dry scalp treatments of the year that soothe your symptoms ASAP. Shop them all, ahead.
Clinical, trichoscopic, and folliscopic identification of the impact of metabolic syndrome on the response to intradermal dutasteride 0.02% injection in patients with female pattern hair loss.
12 mar 2021.
To aid with diagnosis, the disorders are organized according to important clinical features. The evaluation of hair loss, a clinical finding.
Close. Indian J Med Microbiol. Figure 1: A 3-cm diameter patch of hair loss on the scalp. A thick psoriatic plaque is shown adjacent to the area of hair.
All patients were instructed not to use topical minoxidil and/or other cosmetic treatments for scalp hair during the.
of the distribution of hair loss, noninvasive methods such as pull and.
Temporary hair loss. Scratching the scalp or using force to remove the scale can cause hair loss. Once the scalp psoriasis clears, hair usually regrows. These.
Psoriasis plaques tend to accumulate around.
16 may 2019.
14 nov 2016.
5 feb 2020.
29 ago 2017.
3 ene 2022.
Can Psoriasis Itself Cause Hair Loss
Psoriasis scalp psoriasis, in particular can lead to an uncomfortable dry, itchy, flaky, and irritated scalp. Members may find themselves scratching or picking endlessly at their lesions and scales. This picking can damage your hair follicles and lead to hair loss. Psoriasis-related inflammation on your scalp can also lead to hair loss if it, too, damages your hair follicles.
Don’t Miss: How To Correct Hair Loss
Generalised Pustular Psoriasis Or Von Zumbusch Psoriasis
This causes pustules that develop very quickly on a wide area of skin. The pus consists of white blood cells and is not a sign of infection.
The pustules may reappear every few days or weeks in cycles. During the start of these cycles, von Zumbusch psoriasis can cause fever, chills, weight loss and fatigue.
Maintain A Healthy Lifestyle
Consuming a balanced diet and exercising helps to maintain your overall health. Fresh green veggies, fruits, meat, and seafood help build immunity and keep your skin and hair healthy.
If you have scalp psoriasis, you have to be very careful about your hair care routine. Scroll down to find answers to a few doubts you may have.
Read Also: How To Get Rid Of Thin Hair
Symptoms Of Scalp Psoriasis
Scalp psoriasis can cover the entire scalp. Symptoms of scalp psoriasis are less noticeable for patients who have thick hair.
Symptoms, which can be intermittent, include:
- Reddish patches: These patches are sometimes barely noticeable, especially if a patients hair is thicker or the patches are not too severe.
- Dandruff flaking: Psoriasis can mimic dandruff however, there is a key difference. In addition to being dry and flaky, psoriasis will cause the scalp to appear silver in color.
- Dry scalp, itching and bleeding: You may feel itchy because of the dryness scalp psoriasis can cause. Scratching will cause bleeding, and worsen the psoriasis patches by resulting in larger, thicker growth.
Scalp Psoriasis With Increased Hair Density
Cutis
Dr. Shah is from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine. Ms. Lee is from the John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu. Drs. Reddy and Wu are from the Department of Dermatology, Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center, California.
Drs. Shah and Reddy and Ms. Lee report no conflict of interest. Dr. Wu is an investigator for AbbVie Inc Amgen Inc Eli Lilly and Company Janssen Biotech, Inc Novartis and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Correspondence: Jashin J. Wu, MD, Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center, Department of Dermatology, 1515 N Vermont Ave, 5th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90027 .
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin disease that commonly affects the scalp. Psoriatic lesions on the scalp typically result in alopecia, possibly due to a higher proportion of hairs in the catagen and telogen stages. Involvement of the scalp in psoriasis can be problematic for the patients quality of life as well as the clinician treating the condition. Here, we present an unusual case of scalp psoriasis presenting with increased hair density in the involved area that was resistant to topical steroids.
- Scalp psoriasis may present with hair loss or increased hair density.
- Psoriasis with increased hair density may make topical medications more difficult to apply.
You May Like: How Finasteride Works For Hair Loss
Triggers Of Female Hair Loss
More than half of women in the United States lose a significant amount of hair during their lifetimes, a condition known as female pattern hair loss . Though its normal to lose 50-100 strands a day and about 250 when you wash your hair, if youre losing more than that, you have FPHL.
Youre more likely to develop FPHL if at least one of your biological female relatives has hair loss . Women rarely go bald from FPHL, but when you watch your part widen, your scalp-line rise, or notice that you have less hair than you did 10 years ago, you may feel anxious, sad, and self-conscious about your appearance.
The dermatologists at Specialists in Dermatology located in The Woodlands, Texas, and Houston, Texas are experts in hair loss and growth. They diagnose the causes of your FPHL and recommend effective therapies and lifestyle changes that halt it and even if its caught early enough reverse it. Here they discuss five factors that can trigger FPHL and why its so important to get a diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible
Recommended Reading: What Diabetes Medications Cause Hair Loss
Hair Loss Prevention And Treatment
Preventing a flare of scalp psoriasis before it starts is the best way to avoid hair loss.
Getting proper treatment is crucial to prevention. A dermatologist can provide medical treatment that can ease a flare quickly, before symptoms become severe or cause complications.
The following sections look at treatment options in more detail.
Also Check: What Are Vitamins For Hair Loss
Scalp Psoriasis Vs Seborrheic Dermatitis
Occasionally, seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp can be confused with scalp psoriasis since both can produce excess scale and can itch. Pathological examination of the skin biopsy material occasionally may be helpful in distinguishing the two entities. As a practical matter, this is rarely necessary because most patients with psoriasis have typical psoriatic lesions present in other areas, such as the elbows, knees, or torso. In addition, both conditions generally respond to similar topical medications.
What Are Psoriasis Plaques
Plaques are the most common symptom of and the name for a subtype of psoriasis, affecting around 80% of the more than 7 million people living with psoriasis in the United States1. Plaques are patches of thickened, inflamed skin that are usually red in color and covered in a surface layer of silvery scales. Plaques can be painful, itchy, and prone to cracking and bleeding. They can occur anywhere on the skin, but common locations include the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back.
For more information on the symptom of plaques
Recommended Reading: Does Brilinta Cause Hair Loss
What Products Can You Safely Use To Treat Scalp Psoriasis
If you want to try dealing with mild psoriasis at home first, you can rely on certain natural remedies like oils and shampoos. Of course, you need to be careful about the ingredients. Harsh chemicals can make matters worse. Here are some of our favorite choices of natural products that you can look into for at-home treatments:
- The WOW Onion Hair Oil with Black Seed Oil Extracts is a great way to start managing your hair fall and reinvigorate your mane. Specially formulated with a blend of 7 cold-pressed oils like sweet almond, extra virgin olive oil, castor oil, jojoba oil, Moroccan argan, coconut oil, and onion black seed oil, this product is completely natural and free of silicones and synthetic fragrances, and it can be applied on the entire scalp.
- The Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo from WOW is a plant-based shampoo thats free of harmful sulfates and parabens. Concocted with 100% pure and unpasteurized Apple Cider Vinegar, and blended with the therapeutic benefits of sweet almond and argan oil, it helps fight dandruff and balances the pH of your hair and scalp for a lighter, cleaner, and itch-free feel.
- The WOW Stimulating scalp massager brush is equipped with soft and thick silicone bristles to stimulate blood circulation in the scalp, which encourages natural hair growth. Using it during every shampoo application will ensure the gentle care your hair needs while taking care of dandruff and itchiness.
What Are Treatment Options For Hair Loss
An effective way to treat hair loss is to prevent it, by treating the psoriasis plaques that can cause hair to fall out. Products made from coal tar and salicylic acid can work well on scalp psoriasis that is milder. Other topical treatments for scalp psoriasis include anthralin, Tazorac , Taclonex and Dovonex 3. More severe scalp psoriasis may need to be treated with or stronger medications such as systemic or biologic treatments that affect the entire body to reduce psoriasis symptoms.
Itching on the scalp is very common for people with scalp psoriasis. It is important to treat the itch because itching leads to scratching, which can cause hair loss if scales on the plaques are removed. There are various medical shampoos available that can help reduce itching. They are usually rubbed into the scalp and left to sit for a while so that the treatment can penetrate the scalp through the hair. Over-the-counter antihistamines taken by mouth can also help to relieve itching.
Don’t Miss: Who Do You See For Hair Loss