What works best for your scalp psoriasis?

[yeps]

I was just wondering what helps people here with their scalp psoriasis. My hair is falling out really badly because of it, so what helps you guys? The apple cider vinegar really didn't help...I think it made the scaling worse, but the itching subsided. T-Gel isn't working that great or DHS tar shampoo or DHS zinc shampoo or DHS salicylic acid shampoo. Clobex makes my hair fall out pretty badly but the scaling is better. I'm 18 and about to start college and I'm really scared about my hair falling out! Please help!

[yeps]

....oh and I've tried Olux..it didn't work...just made the sides of my face break out...and I've tried Derma-Smoothe which did nothing and made my hair fall out worse cuz it had to set so long and that caused stress on the plaques...tried Dermarest shampoo as well, to no avail. Anything else that ya'll have tried?

[lulu'smom]

The only thing that ever successfully cleared my scalp p was biologics. By the time I went on Enbrel in 2005, I had lost maybe 25% of my hair. My scalp was a bloody mess. Literally.

Within 2 weeks of starting Enbrel, it cleared 100%. It was amazing after 20 years of struggling with scalp p.

Nancy

[alli]

I was losing my hair to scalp P as well! The only shampoo that gives me any relief ( other than the expensive scrip my derm gave me) is MG 217. It's a coal tar base, but it has more coal tar than T-gel. T-gel did nothing for me, which I found odd, because I use the normal neutrogena shampoo on a reglular basis and love it! You can find MG 217 at any Walgreens or Eckerds.
The good news is that as soon as you have your scalp P under the control, the hair grows back.
This is probably stating the obvious, but don't brush it really hard and try and avoid the blow dryer. I also found that pulling it into a pony tail just made the hair loss worse as well.

[EvanL]

Yeps-

When I first was introduced to P, it hit my scalp and hit my scalp hard. My derm tried me on all of the initial treatments, and much like you it had little to no positive effect. My scalp P was extremely bad; it was so think that it felt like I was wearing a helmet and bloody and gross and all those other things. When I switched Derms, my new one recommended a prescription drug called Luxiq. Luxiq is a foam, after my insurance it costs me $22 a bottle, and I go through a bottle or two a month. At first, like I would imagine you would be at this point, I was extremely skeptical. But this medication was a "wonder drug" for me as far as my scalp. I have P fairly widespread, but the one place I have never had to worry about again is my scalp, as this med has worked miracles for me.

I started to see huge results after only one week. The foam is incredibly easy to apply, does not smell, and has no sticky, nasty feel to it. It is as easy to apply and non-debilatating treatment that I have seen. Using this, my scalp is essentially perfectly clear. While other treatments for the rest of my skin are sketchy at best, this has been the one gold constant for me. I would urge you to ask your derm about a prescription for this, and I pray that you can get the same amazing results I have seen from this drug. This disease can be extremely frustrating and completely different for everyone, but your symptoms sound very similar to mine and this solution was a miracle for me. Please keep us posted, and I wish you the best.

-Evan

[EvanL]

P.S....I'm a college student (22 here), so I kinda know what you're going through, feel free to message me anytime if you have questions or just want to chat!

Also, I don't think this is nearly as significant as the Luxiq, but for the record I do use Tea Tree shampoos for my scalp. Again, with the Luxiq I am essentially 100% clear, but I do use the Tea Tree as they feel nice and are supposed to be gentle on the scalp.

Best of Luck!

-Evan

[yeps]

Thanks for your guys' advice! Evan, I have tried the Luqix and I don't believe it worked...it's been quite a while. I will try that coal tar treatment and what exactly is Enbrel? I've heard it's worked for a lot of people. Thanks!

[SCCatman]

My derm rx a compund shampoo that did a great job on my scalp.
It normal cost about $45 a bottle, or a $20 insurance co-pay.
If you want to talk to a derm about it, email me andI can get the compound fomular
Dennis

[yeps]

Thanks guys for all of your advice. Has anyone had luck with Pentrax? Going to try it tomorrow...keepy your fingers crossed!

[cajungirl]

My p started out on my scalp and I had a hard time trying to control it. What worked best for me was Olux and Derma-smooth. But it never went away completely until I went on Remicade (Biologic). Within 2 weeks I was completely clear.

I hope you find what works for you!

Celeste

[LadyHawke9973]

I liked Clobetasol Propionate scalp treatment. Stung a bit, but was light and easy to work with.

Drawback....it's a level 7 steroid. Use sparingly.

[yeps]

Yeah, I've used the dermasmoothe and Olux, both to no avail. For some reason the oils never work for me, and as for the Olux...it made my face break out on the sides from where it would slide down. I think it made my head a little more peely...if that's a word. I'm glad it helped keep yours manageable though. Would you recommend Remicade? My entire scalp is covered and it's driving me insane because of the hair loss it has caused. Anything but that! I know that sounds horrible, I could have it worse and I'm grateful I don't. Mel, clobetesol is what worked best for me at one time, unfortunately my scalp p must have built up an immunity to it. Thanks guys!

[MelissaC]

I use Valisone scalp lotion for mine. It's worked well for me for years.

[pigpen]

My scalp was 100% covered and itched and flaked horribly all day long. I began this treatment 6 months ago and it's working very well:
1. Baker's P&S oil in the evening
2. in the morning wash it out with Baker's P&S shampoo, this will slough off the layers. You'll notice the scales thinning after about a week.
3. once the hair is clean and dry, apply steroid of choice. I am using Betamethasone dipropionate
Notes: Baker's P&S products are over the counter but I had to special order them at the drugstore (Rite Aid). My specialty pharmacy would not order it. The only thing available to them was a different brand and my dermatologist insisted on Baker's. You have to do this treatment every day for about 2 weeks in order to thin down the scaling. Then you can relax and do it every other day. Currenlty I am only doing the treatment once a week.

[cajungirl]

I would recommend Remicade. It has been a lifesaver for me. Not every drug works the same for everyone. I hope you find what works for you!

[raydon14yp]

I have tried literally everything from Rx products to OTC products & NOTHING has given good results. The only Rx product that I have not tried is Remicade. I may use this in the near future.

[wildflower]

Hope this helps ya.

My derm gave me Clobex shampoo for my scalp psoriasis, it worked great. Excellent side benefit, my hair was very thin and it made my hair thicker. When I asked the derm, she said it is normal for it to do that. The thicker hair stayed with me even after stopping the treatment.

[belldane]

I to had p all over my scalp with one big spot on the back of my head about 5 inches round and my hair got thin. Creams,steroids and my enbrel didn't touch it. After doing a lot of searching I came across info about having a yeast problem along with p. So I ask the derm just for the hell of it to treat it as yeast. He gave me some pills (nazoral ?) In two weeks I saw great results, in the next two weeks it was gone. Some spots of what I thought were P in the folds of skin where it is damp or moist a lot from sweating all so cleared up. Now every so often each summer when it is really humid and hot here it shows up again but the I take the pills and it clears right up.

I don't know idea if yeast my be a problem for you or if this would help, but thought it may be something you could check into. :)

Patty

[yeps]

Thanks guys. This is my second day back at college and I'm so stressed about it. The water here is different and it always feels like conditioner is in my hair when it isn't and that makes it harder to comb through which dosen't help with the hair loss. I originally was put on Grisofulven to rule out if it was a fugus...which it wasn't and had a biopsy done. I've tried the Clobex, P&S stuff, oils seem to make it worse. Any more ideas...thanks for all who have posted it still gives me hope even though I've tried most of it.

[sherryflowe]

I have never noticed hair loss w/my scalp P but I have thin hair anyway. I use Clobex (prescription) shampoo now and I have gotten pretty good results. You shouldn't use it more than 2 wks at a time though. I notice that most hair products irritate my scap and when I sweat my scalp P flares up? Over the counter shampoos have never worked well for me. The best of luck to you!