WeArePsoriasis.org - The Social Support Network for People Living with Psoriasis

Scalp Psoriasis

Original Article: http://www.psoriasis.org/about/psoriasis/scalp/

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 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.