Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Anybody have any advice about scalp psoriasis

30 replies

madmommy6 · 11/12/2007 22:01

Dd2 is 14yrs old and has what looks like scalp psoriasis.I wil be taking her to the doctors,but thought somebody might have some advice on here.Thanks

OP posts:
Niecie · 11/12/2007 22:14

My DH has it and has a special shampoo called Capasal. You can get it on prescription but also over the counter in the chemist. He says it works. I suppose you have to see the GP though to make sure you have a firm diagnosis in case it isn't something else.

Not very helpful this time of year I know but DH has a patch on his arm and elbow too which is much better in the sunshine and it helps his head a little even though it is covered by hair.

You do need to be careful as well as DH has psoriatic arthritis too. This is quite unusual (1 in 10 get something) but I am not sure how you end up with it so it might be worth asking the GP if you can protect your DD as, like all forms of arthritis, it isn't pleasant.

Original poster
madmommy6 · 11/12/2007 22:26

Niecie thank you for your reply.I will be taking her to the doctors first before i treat it.
She has had patches before on her arms and face but didn't think then it was psoriasis.But looking back now it is quite possible that it was.We just thought it was dry skin.

OP posts:
dee24 · 12/12/2007 09:01

If it is scalp psoriasis then they will probably give you shampoo. Funnily enough that is where mine first appeared, as one lump on my scalp when I was 6 years old!

My psoriasis can get very bad and I was admitted to hospital for 2 weeks once and they actually put creams on my scalp. It worked great and it cleared up so quick! If your niece has someone to help her tell her to ask for a cream/ointment and in the evening part her hair with a comb and apply. Then wash it out in the morning. You will be able to use this on the body as well. But if it's on/appears on her face ask for something she can use there as I think you need specific ointment for that.

They will want to start at the weakest strengh first as it is kinder to your skin.

Sun is good for it but you still need to apply lots of sun cream, as if she gets sunburn it is likely to make it worse, as well as the usual risks of skin cancer.

If she can, tell her to take high strength EPA fish oil capsules (1000mg) from holland and barratt, they help stop the soreness/itching and take away the flakyness and redness. She should take three a day, I have noticed a huge difference with mine since starting them. I remember going through my teens so self concious about my skin, I wish I'd known these things back then. hth xx

dee24 · 12/12/2007 09:04

psoriatic athritis is more common when the psoriasis is present on the joints ie. elbow, knees, fingers. My dad has this as well, but think that wouldn't be a worry for a while. My dad had psoriasis for 25 years before this appeared, but it is certainly something to keep in mind if she does in fact have the condition.

BadKittenInAPearTree · 12/12/2007 09:50

I'm treating my scalp psoriasis atm with dovonex scalp solution. I'm not sure if children can use it though. been using it for a month and although its still there at least I'm not producing a mini snow storm where ever I go.
Other things I've used are betacap scalp solution - its quite effective but quite a strong steroid for the scalp so I certainly wouldnt use it as a first line.

Also coconut oil rubbed in and left for a couple of hours before washing it out.

Also have used a thick salycilic acid paste which removes the scales but its messy, old fashioned and unpleasant.

If she has blonde hair I've found the lush solid shampoo (blonde) for making your hair blonder pretty effective - it has tonnes of camomile and calendula in it (must get some next time I'm near lush)

I have psoriatic arthritis. Its worth knowing about it in the back of your head but its not something I'd actively worry about unless it happens.

Niecie · 12/12/2007 10:27

I only mention the arthritis because it was such a surprise when DH found the psoriasis was the root of it. Like madmommy's DD he has it on his arms, a couple of patches although one is on his elbow, and on his head and not really anywhere else so the skin side of it is really quite mild.

I just thought a doctor might know better what the triggers were and what she could do to protect her joints.

Dee - yours sounds really bad, I hope it is calm at the moment though. It is interesting that fish oil helps as my DH takes that to help his joints. I don't think we had really thought about the fact that it might have been helping his skin too - I shall mention it to him.

Original poster
madmommy6 · 12/12/2007 11:26

Thanks for all your replies.
I'm not 100% sure that it is scalp psoriasis but it looks like it.I'm going to try and get her into the doctors tonight.

OP posts:
ChorusLineMistletoeAndWine · 12/12/2007 11:35

Hi there - I have been a sufferer for over 20 years and now have the most fabulous injection that is clearng it!!! Sorry just needed to share that

You could try a litle bit of olive oil on the scalp - have used this many a time when run out of lotions.

Original poster
madmommy6 · 12/12/2007 11:43

ChorusLineMistletoeAndWine thanks for sharing that.Any infor is useful and to moment.Like i have already said i need to take dd to the doctor to get it confirmed,so i have only been putting oil on and combing it.But to be honest it has really helped much.She has dark hair so it really shows poor love.

OP posts:
ChorusLineMistletoeAndWine · 12/12/2007 11:49

Poor little love - i hope it isn't. Let us know x

slim22 · 12/12/2007 11:50

Daivonex worked well for me too.

To this day, best treatment I found is preventive: high potency omegas (3-6-9). Been taking them for 4 years, have hardly had any pb since.
And sunshine whenever possibble.

ChorusLineMistletoeAndWine · 12/12/2007 11:52

The consultant told me that (apart from it being heriditory) that i had received a shock to my body - puberty - was the reason mine started. I could bore everyone all day with treatments i have had in past 20 years!

stockingfiller · 12/12/2007 11:56

i looked into things for my scalp i normally use polytar but dont think it helps too much and it smells, and i read about grapeseed oil which is supposed to clear it up (didnt use it cost too much at time then got pg so couldnt use it)
for other patches i use dovenex(sp?) cream.
when i have run out recently i used body butter (with nut oil in medditeranian/boots brand) and that has nearly cleared up my knees and elbows!
oh and i have used botanics 5min leave in conditioner which has helped soothe it (got grapeseed in didnt realise till brought big tub)www.boots.com/brandtreatment/product_details_brand_treatment.jsp?productid=1080979&classificationid= 1025736

Original poster
madmommy6 · 12/12/2007 11:59

Dd is 14 this new years eve so puberty may have been the shock to start it.Also when i first noticed, it was afew day before she went for a EEG for suspected epilepsy.So the worry about that may also have started it.

OP posts:
ComeOVenReadyturkey · 12/12/2007 12:00

Chorusline, out of interest what injection are you having. DH is a very bad sufferer of both psoriasis and psoriatic arthrits.

Original poster
madmommy6 · 12/12/2007 12:04

stockingfiller thats for the link.I'm going out later so i think i'll pop into boots and try and get some.
I have rang doctors and can't get a appointment till the new year.So i will to ring for a emergancey appointment,which i don't like doing but i can't leave her till the new year.

OP posts:
ChorusLineMistletoeAndWine · 12/12/2007 12:13

Hi COV - Its called Etanercept and the brand name is Enbrel. I have to inject myself twice a week - its honestly the most amazing thing ive ever had. The purpose of it is that it slows your skin growth rate so no build up of cells/plaque.

Apparently they use it in Breast Cancer as well. It costs 7k a year and i had to be put forward for it - i think its a case by case they decide who is most eligible. As i have had it quite severe for 20+ years i was fortunate to get this.

Ask the consultant next time - and good luck x

Original poster
madmommy6 · 12/12/2007 12:22

Just a silly question.If dd has got scalp psoriasis will she be refered to a consultant or will my own gp see to her?

OP posts:
slim22 · 12/12/2007 12:22

comeovenreadyturkey, has he had puvotherapy? (exterme UV therapy in hospital?)
Works well.
I've also heard of injection for the arthritis variety. Is it readily available though? thought it was still in trial.

Also agree slapping on oil (sesame or olive from health shop) straight out of the shower on damp skin works wonders.

If you can bear the smell, Neem oil (traditional ayurvedic treatment - readily available in health shops) is very good.It has well documented healing properties ( antibacterial like tea tree oil I think). But the smell is foul.

slim22 · 12/12/2007 12:23

crossed posts!

BadKittenInAPearTree · 12/12/2007 12:26

My doctor has been talking about sending me back to the rheumy to talk about DMARDS (for those who don't know its the disease modifying drugs of which enebrel is one of)for my PA. I'm not sure if they start you off on methotraxate though? I'm really reluctant to go down that route as I tend to get the PA and psoriasis for a few months of the year. In the summer I'm relatively clear. I'm not sure if the side effects are worth it? So I'm trying to muddle by on anti-inflammatories and paracetemol atm.

ComeOVenReadyturkey · 12/12/2007 12:52

Chorusline. He has been on that for the past 6 months, doing a trial for the nhs. We are now awaiting funding from them to continue it post trail. He has been off it 4 weeks and the decline is dramatic. He is in his early 30's but hobbling around like an old man .

Slim he has tried everything. UV treatments of various kinds, cold tar, steroids, trip to the dead sea, herbal etc etc.

Niecie · 12/12/2007 15:08

madmummy, DH has never seen a consultant about the psoriasis, only for the arthritis bit of it. I suppose it depends on the severity.

Niecie · 12/12/2007 15:16

For those of you who have PA have any of you tried rosehip capsules? DH read about them on a BBC news website and sent off for them. They were trialed in a Danish hospital I think and had quite good results. He takes glucosamine and fish oils as well and he thought that these together with the rosehips tablets as well were having an impact.

He has had steriod injections in his shoulder and finger joints so he might be feeling better because of those. On the other hand his knees had been giving him a bit of bother too and they have got better although everything is slightly regressing at the moment but that might be down to the colder, wetter weather.

He can't take the NSAID's that the consultant prescribed first off as he only has one kidney and the blood tests were causing a bit of a concern about whether or not the drugs were causing it damage.

It is so hit and miss, isn't it. Like somebody else's DH, mine is hobbling around like an old man so he tends to think anything is worth a try once.

BadKittenInAPearTree · 12/12/2007 16:15

I've not tried rose-hip. I'll give it a go. Thanks. am hobbling too atm and I hate it. I'm normally a speedy person. With this flare everyone overtakes me on the walk to school and I feel I'm doing everything at half speed
/gets the violins out.

Skin wise my gp manages day to day and moderate flares. Well actually I tell her what I want and she prescribes it. When I get a big flare (head to toe, can't put your finger on my trunk without touching a spot) then I go to the consultant.