Dandruff vs Scalp Psoriasis
Finding skin flakes in your hair can pose a troublesome and embarrassing dilemma. Not only that but as time goes on, it may make you wonder whether you’re suffering from a skin condition, such as psoriasis.
While dandruff and psoriasis have similar symptoms, there are some key differences between the two. In this article, we explore dandruff vs scalp psoriasis and how you can sport the differences. Let’s take a closer look!
What is Dandruff?
Dandruff is essentially skin cells or flakes found on the scalp, eyebrows and beard or mustache. It can lead to an itchy scalp, which may lead to scratching and redness or patches on the skin. This is often why dandruff is mistaken for other conditions.
The good news, however, is that dandruff is not contagious and not serious. Most often, a quick shampoo solves the problem. If it persists, you can also opt for dandruff shampoos.
What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis, on the other hand, is a skin condition causing patches of skin to become “scaly.” This not only occurs on the scalp but can also arise anywhere on the body. The scales often appear red, pink, white or silver. Yet, the pieces of skin that peel or “flake” off may mimic the appearance of dandruff.
Dandruff vs Scalp Psoriasis: What’s the Difference?
Inevitably, if you have concerns, it’s important to seek out the advice of your doctor or dermatologist. However, it can help to understand the differences between these conditions to determine the next logical step. So, what causes dandruff? What causes scalp psoriasis? How are they both diagnosed?
Causes
Psoriasis occurs due to a thick build-up of skin cells. While skin cells replace themselves every three to four weeks, in those with psoriasis, they replicate much faster—every three to seven days. This results in a severe build-up of skin cells, creating the patches that are tell-tale signs of this condition. But why does this happen?
It’s thought largely to be an immune system dysfunction, leading to a faster replication of skin cells. It’s further theorized that environmental factors and genetics play a role. For instance, if someone in your family has psoriasis, you’re more likely to have it as well. Additionally, environmental or lifestyle factors, like stress, infections, heavy alcohol consumption or smoking may trigger this condition.
So, what about dandruff? This often occurs due to:
- The use of certain hair products.
- Poor hygiene.
- Fungus.
- Hormonal fluctuations.
- Dry skin.
Surprisingly, however, dandruff may be a symptom of psoriasis or other skin conditions, like eczema. Yet, if you don’t notice any red or scaly patches, this is unlikely.
Getting Diagnosed
Generally, for a psoriasis diagnosis, your healthcare provider will perform an examination of your scalp. Alternatively, they may also provide a referral to a dermatologist who specializes in these areas. Your dermatologist or doctor will check for red or scaly patches. In some cases, they may take a sample for laboratory testing to rule out other and more serious conditions.
Treating Dandruff vs Scalp Psoriasis
Psoriasis treatment usually involves topical anti-inflammatory medications, such as:
- Corticosteroids. This is recommended for flare-ups. Long-term use can, unfortunately, cause thinning of the skin.
- Vitamin D. Synthetic vitamin D may slow the growth of the skin.
- Salicylic acid shampoo. This helps reduce scaling, specifically on the scalp. There are varying strengths of this type of shampoo. The stronger strengths may require a prescription. It may also be used alongside other types of treatments or therapies.
- Coal tar shampoo. This helps address inflammation, redness and itching. However, these can irritate the skin. Sometimes, it may take some experimentation for you and your doctor to find what specifically works for you and your psoriasis.
On the other hand, dandruff is generally much easier to treat than psoriasis. The first line of treatment is to try shampooing out the dandruff. If it persists, the next step is dandruff shampoo. Often, this shampoo is used a couple of times a week alongside other shampoos. Additionally, some dandruff shampoos may become ineffective when used over time, which may mean you need to switch the type of dandruff shampoo you use.
If you have concerns about flaking of your scalp or redness of your skin, especially rashes or irritations that persist over time, it’s important to seek out the advice of your doctor. They can either offer a diagnosis or advice and recommendations to help your specific situation. From there, you can effectively find ways to manage your psoriasis or dandruff, helping you put your most confident self forward!