Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Watch for symptoms
• Method 2 of 3: See a doctor
• Method 3 of 3: Differentiate psoriasis from dandruff

Scalp psoriasis is similar to other types of psoriasis, except it appears on your scalp instead of the rest of your body. Chances are that you can recognize the visible symptoms at home, although you will need to see your doctor for diagnosis and treatment. You should also be able to distinguish psoriasis from other conditions such as dandruff.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Watch for symptoms

1. Watch for red spots. Psoriasis usually looks like red patches with silver or white scales. Look for spots on your scalp as they are the first sign of psoriasis. You can have patches all over your scalp, or you may have just a few small patches.
   • You can also (temporarily) suffer from hair loss.
2. Watch for itching. Itching is another symptom of psoriasis. So if you scratch red patches on your head, you may have psoriasis. However, don't rule out psoriasis if you're not itchy. Not everyone with psoriasis is itchy.
3. Watch for pain. Psoriasis often causes your scalp to hurt. It may also feel like your scalp is on fire. It may hurt all the time, but the pain may get worse if you press your fingers on your scalp or run your hands through your hair.
4. Watch for flakes and bleeding. Because psoriasis causes scabs and flakes, you may see particles of it in your hair. You may also see the red areas bleeding, especially if you scratch the areas. You can then scrape off any flakes that have not yet come off completely.
   • Bleeding can also be caused by dry scalp.
5. Look for red spots on other parts of the body. If you have psoriasis on your scalp, chances are you have patches on other parts of your body, although this is not always the case. Look for similar spots on other parts of the body. Also see if the spots are sticking out below your hairline, as this could be a sign of psoriasis.
6. Find out what your triggers are. Stress, cold, and dry air can all trigger a psoriasis attack, but this varies from person to person. Keep a journal of common triggers and write down when you have an attack to find out what triggers are involved. That way, you can take steps to avoid your triggers if possible or make sure you have resources to do something about it.

Method 2 of 3: See a doctor

1. Go to the doctor. A doctor will likely be able to diagnose scalp psoriasis, but they may also refer you to a dermatologist if he or she cannot determine with complete certainty that it is psoriasis. Either way, you need a reliable diagnosis so that you know how to treat the condition.
2. Expect a physical exam. A doctor mainly diagnoses scalp psoriasis through a physical exam. The doctor will ask you questions about your medical history and then look at the skin condition on your scalp to determine if it really is psoriasis.
3. Know when to take a biopsy. Occasionally, a doctor will take a skin biopsy. However, this is rarely done to diagnose scalp psoriasis. A biopsy involves taking a small sample of skin from your scalp and testing it in a lab to help determine the condition.
   • Your doctor will numb your scalp locally to make sure you don't have pain during the biopsy.
4. Stick to the treatment plan. Your doctor will recommend a treatment plan. You may need to use an anti-psoriasis shampoo first, which is usually a tar or salicylic acid shampoo. You will also likely need to use creams and other topicals, both with and without steroids.
   • Make sure you only use the shampoo on your scalp and not on all of your hair.
   • Your doctor may also inject steroids into some of the areas to slow down the reaction.
   • Other treatments include UV light, oral retinoids (a form of synthetic vitamin A) and antimicrobial drugs (if you get a fungal infection).

Method 3 of 3: Differentiate psoriasis from dandruff

1. Look out for a yellow color with rose. Dandruff, medical term called seborrheic dermatitis, often has a yellowish, whitish color. Therefore, try to look at the spots on your head. If the spots are more silvery white in color, then there is a good chance that it is psoriasis. If the spots are yellowish earlier, then you probably have dandruff.
2. See if your scalp is oily or dry. Psoriasis is often quite powdery or dry, so see if the patches on your head are oily. If the areas are greasy, the chances are greater than dandruff. You may be able to tell if they are greasy or dry by looking at the spots.
3. See where the spots end. You usually only suffer from dandruff on your scalp and the spots stop at the hairline. So if you have areas that extend beyond your hairline, it is more likely to be psoriasis. If you only have patches on your scalp, it can be both psoriasis and dandruff.
4. Check for ringworm.. Ringworm can also be mistaken for psoriasis and dandruff. Ringworm causes bald patches on your head that itch and flake. This can be mistaken for dandruff or psoriasis. Ringworm, however, is a fungal infection that must be treated with anti-fungal medications.
   • See your doctor to determine for sure what the cause of the flakes on your head is.