As anyone with psoriasis knows, the condition is a source of great irritation. Plaques, or raised skin that consists of dead, flaking cells, accumulate and cause itching and burning sensations that are often difficult to ignore. With psoriasis of the scalp, this is especially uncomfortable, causing the area to be extremely sore and tight, and the skin can often become raw and bloody.
Where normal skin cells are renewed every 30 days, psoriasis causes cells to reach the exterior of the epidermis extremely quickly, dying as soon as they arrive. Psoriasis is considered to be hereditary, non-contagious and caused by situations where the immune system is being compromised by stress, hormonal changes or other conditions.
Natural Remedies
Step 1
Rinsing your scalp with cool water that has an cup of apple cider vinegar added will help sooth itching. Because apple cider vinegar is alkaline, this will help reduce the inflammation created by psoriasis
Step 2
Apply ice cubes to the areas on your scalp that are causing you pain and irritation.
Step 3
Use a sulphate-free shampoo to wash your hair. When washing, make sure you use cool water, as hot water can irritate the inflammation. Organic shampoos that contain wheat germ or jojoba oil will help to keep the itching and redness down.
Step 4
Rinse your scalp with one cup of cooled down chamomile tea. Chamomile provides soothing relief both internally and internally.
Step 5
Use soothing oils as a salve for the areas on your scalp affected by psoriasis. You can make an oil mixture by blending one teaspoon of the following ingredients together:
Neem oil
Tea tree oil
Rosemary oil
Lavender oil
Add them to an oil base made of three teaspoons of olive, almond, wheat germ or coconut oil and gently massage on the irritated areas. You can also use neem oil by itself as this substance is a powerful anti-fungal and anti-bacterial that helps to nourish the scalp, soften skin, sooth irritation and stimulate the immune system. Neem oil is an essential ingredient in traditional Indian hair treatments, adding shine along with scalp health.
Step 6
Another recipe for psoriasis of the scalp is to mix a quarter-cup of organic oatmeal with water and let it soak for a half an hour. Strain and place the liquid that is left in a cup with several drops of lavender and rosemary oil. Once the mixture is cool, daub on the sensitive areas of your scalp for relief.
Tips and Warnings
- According to Dr. Laurence Miller, adviser to the National Psoriasis Foundation and National Institutes of Health, you can also treat psoriasis of the scalp with coal tar preparations, such as coal tar shampoo. Using a UVB sunlamp is also helpful in getting rid of symptoms of psoriasis.
- If you do use a coal tar treatment, it may make your skin sensitive to the sun, so be careful not to be overexposed to UV rays. Psoriasis tends to flare up in humid conditions and in cold weather, so try to keep your head warm and dry, apart from the application of ice cubes and cool tea-treated water.
Things You'll Need
- Apple cider vinegar
- Ice cubes
- Sulphate-free shampoo with wheat germ or jojoba oil
- Chamomile tea
- Neem oil
- Tea tree oil
- Rosemary oil
- Lavender oil
- Olive, almond, wheat germ or coconut oil
- Organic oatmeal
