Username  Password  Create an account
Forgot password
Search 
OUR MISSION is to improve the quality of life of people who have psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Through education and advocacy, we promote awareness and understanding, ensure access to treatment and support research that will lead to effective management and, ultimately, a cure.
About Psoriasis Overview
Psoriasis
Plaque psoriasis
Guttate
Inverse
Erythrodermic
Pustular
Specific skin sites
Genital psoriasis
Scalp psoriasis
Conception, pregnancy and psoriasis
Psoriatic Arthritis
Living with Psoriasis
Youth
Frequently Asked Questions
Statistics
Links of Interest
Glossary
  Donate
  Take action
  Talk here

ZIP CODE SEARCH
Find support groups, doctors and events near you.


About psoriasis
Scalp psoriasis

Scalp psoriasis is very common. In fact, at least half of all people who have psoriasis have it on their scalp. As with psoriasis elsewhere on the body, skin cells grow too quickly on the scalp and cause red lesions covered with scale to appear.

Scalp psoriasis can be very mild, with slight, fine scaling. It can also be very severe with thick, crusted plaques covering the entire scalp, which commonly can cause hair loss. Psoriasis can extend beyond the hairline onto the forehead, the back of the neck and around the ears (a common area). Most of the time, people with scalp psoriasis have psoriasis on other parts of their body as well. But for some, the scalp is the only affected area.

Other scalp conditions

Other skin disorders, such as seborrheic dermatitis, may look similar to psoriasis, but there are differences. Scalp psoriasis scales appear powdery with a silvery sheen, while seborrheic dermatitis scales often appear yellowish and greasy. Despite these differences, the two conditions can be easily confused.

Treating scalp psoriasis

How is it treated?

Treatment tips

Questions & answers

Related: Psoriasis on the neck, face and ears

Home About Us Contact Us Privacy & Terms Site Map
Copyright ©2008 National Psoriasis Foundation/USA