Scalp psoriasis is an infuriating condition that causes intense itching, discomfort and flaking of the scalp. It can also be fairly visible along the hair line and behind the ears.

Scalp psoriasis is very common, with approximately 2-3% of the population suffering from psoriasis and 80% of those getting it on their scalp (1) .

Scalp psoriasis is a chronic condition and there is no scalp psoriasis cure, but there are several things you can do to help prevent the severity and frequency of scalp psoriasis triggers, from regularly using a scalp conditioner to avoiding drinking energy drinks.

Here's 6 things that might becuasing your scalp psoriasis to keep coming back; 

Not Using Conditioner

Although many scalp psoriasis suffers will use a scalp psorisisi shampoo, they often dont opt to use a regular conditioner, which can be a mistake. This is usually because when scalp psoriasis flares up, in the first cycle of the plaques forming, the scalp can become quite oily and oozy, leaving hair feeling greasy and lank.

However, as the scalp psoriasis begins the second phase of recovery when the plaques have stopped accumulating and are dispersing and receding, the skin scales can become extremely dry, crusty and silvery. Its this phase that can be potentially more damage than the initial flare up and can also lead to an increased risk of hair loss (2)

“Dryness from receding scalp psoriasis scales can cause damage to the scalp barrier function, leaving it much more vulnerable to the next psoriasis flare, which can be trigger by damage or trauma to the scalp. It can also cause hair loss. Using a treatment conditioner aimed at softening and moisturising the scalp is as crucial as using a shampoo to address the scale build up in the first place as it softens and disperses dry scales and helps the scalp to repair itself as quickly as possible after a psoriasis flare. In addition many scalp psoriasis shampoos, while being effective at reducing the inflammtion of a scalp psoriasis flare, can be quite drying so often exacerbate the dryness phase after the plaques and inflammation have started to receed. Therefore a post shampoo conditioner is equally as imporant as the treatment shampoo for scalp recovery,” says dermatologist Dr Eva Melegh.

Oregon Anti-Plaque Conditioner is a chemcial-free and perfume-free conditioner specifically for scalps prone to psoriasis and contains intensley moisturising ingredients along with anti-plaque ingredient Oregon grape root extract to help the scalp barrier re-generate as quickly as possible after a scalp psoriasis flare up.

Blow Dries           

Blow drying hair with scalp psoriasis can make the recovery phase dryness much worse. The nerve endings in the scalp after a scalp psoriasis flare are also more sensitive and so blow-drying hair can cause the scalp to feel both itchier, drier and more sensitive after a blow dry.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends letting hair dry naturally without using a hair dryer if you are having a scalp psoriasis flare. If you do need to blow dry, use the coolest setting available to minimize heat exposure and don't hold the dryer in one place for too long. Keep it constantly moving to prevent heat buildup on your scalp.

Frequent Sore Throat

Frequent sore throats and sinus infections can also be a trigger for repeated flares of scalp psoriasis (3).

If you experience frequent sinus infections rinsing the nose with salt water may help decrease this drainage. Gargling daily with warm salt water can also help stave off re-infection of a sore throat.

Using an immune boosting throat spray such an echinacea throat sprays can help prevent re-occurring sore throats (4)

Smoking & Vaping

Studies confirm that ingestion of nicotine via any form is linked to a much higher risk of not only developing psoriasis but of more frequent more sever flare ups of psoriasis (5)

Nicotine connects with acetylcholine receptors all over the body, including in the skin cells and inflammatory cells and both cell types are involved in triggering psoriasis. Research has found that nicotine compromises the immunity of skin cells, making an inflammatory response, including the red plaques of psoriasis, much more likely (6).

Hot Showers

“Showering in hot water can be trigger for repeated scalp psoriasis flares,” says Dr Melegh.

“Unfortunately, the hotter the water it is, the more oil and moisture is removed from your skin. The longer you're in the shower, the more that this process is prolonged. Taking shorter lukewarm showers is more protective for your skin and scalp if you suffer from psoriasis.”

Energy Drinks

Studies have found that the amino acid taurine may trigger psoriasis and psoriatic lesions also contain elevated amounts of taurine (7)

Taurine is a common ingredient in energy drinks, with some brands containing significant amounts. It’s often added along with caffeine and sugar to increase alertness and energy.

Refs;

https://www.medpagetoday.com/reading-room/aad/psoriasis/118107

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9809430/

https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/psoriasis/triggers/flares

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3351972/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5683129/#b10-ptt-6-065

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1747794/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5577063/