Scalp psoriasis help

[springhasspringed]

I've had psoriasis as long as I can remember, nothing seems to cure it, tried everything over 50 odd years now. I'm having a scalp psoriasis flare up though and hoping for suggestions that will soothe it quickly. It's itchy, sore and flaky all over. I've obviously used too much Betacap through my life and now all it does is dry it out and sting. I've got medicated shampoo but that dries it out too. I bought Aveeno conditioner thinking it might soothe it, but maybe that's made it worse. I try not to wash my hair too often so as not to dry it out more and also because it's thick and curly and takes forever to dry.

What do you do when you have a flare up? What soothes it quickly?

I use nizoral and switch shampoo all the time ,, I wash my hair a lot because otherwise it would itch I also rub oil into my scalp which helps the itching

What oil do you rub in?

I've just found a bottle of coconut oil spray and used it which has helped with the itching a bit.

I use one I got at a spa at the moment ,,but any will do coconut or almond oil are great

When I use nizoral I wash it leave it on for 10 mins then wash it off , then wash it with shampoo , a friend of mine rinses in bottled water , not sure if that helps

Selsun - though not as good as it used to be.

Moo Goo milk wash is meant to be a saviour for this although I wouldn't know what symptoms of psoriasis it would resolve or lessen.
It is a very gentle product that I use to wash my face.

Body Shop Ginger shampoo. It’s brilliant - no more heavily medicated smelly shampoos, no more oiling my scalp. It cleans and soothes my scalp.

Try a travel size first to see if it works for you.

I use the Moo Goo milk shampoo, it’s a big bottle that has lasted me ages. Nice and gentle for everyday and I haven’t had a big flare up for a while. I don’t know if it is keeping them at bay or if I’ve just been lucky recently.

Following for recommendations- tgel was my go to but has been discontinued, nizoral worked for a bit but isn’t effective now and also I go through the teeny bottles very quickly…it’s just so annoying and embarrassing.

I got a travel size pack to trial but it didn't do any good. The itching and flaking were as bad as ever.

Not for flair ups but I’ve been using the Ordinary glycolic acid on my scalp and I think it is making a difference

Honestly there is nothing better than the body shop ginger anti dandruff shampoo for keeping it at bay. Really amazing stuff and should be recommended rather than the awful tgel crap.

Nizoral
Body Shop Ginger Shampoo. They also do a scalp conditioner.
Head and Shoulders itchy scalp Shampoo.

Capasol was prescribed for my Sons it worked a treat.

I use this

https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/dr-organic-tea-tree-cream-60083570?skuid=083570&clickref=1011lD9PhjVE&utm_source=partnerize&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=1011l116914

The tea tree helps with the itching and the cream softens the flaky patch.

Have you been to a decent rheumatologist and gone up the ladder of biologicals? You have to try the nasty ones first and for them to fail or not get on with the side effects before you move to the next level and eventually get to the good stuff that costs £10,000+ a month for 2 injections. THEN you see why those of us who have done this persisted! Life changing

I've tried the Body Shop ginger shampoo but it did nothing for me. I've had Capasal, hate the smell of it, but it did soften the flakes.

I don't really want to go down the route of biologicals. I've heard about the side effects and can't face that. I don't think I'd be classed as severe enough a case either. It's not too bad on the rest of my body, it's just my scalp.

Polytar shampoo. I've had scalp psoriasis for more than 40 years and the only product that controls it completly is coal tar shampoo with a minimum of 4% coal tar.

I saw so many doctors and skin specialists in my 20s and despite several treatments nothing controlled it. A nurse friend one day told me about coal tar shampoo and I never looked back.....until last year.

I live in Australia and has been impossible to find coal tar shampoos for almost a year now. Several scalp cleansers advertise they are good for psoriasis but are not. Their active component is salicylic acid which does nothing for psoriasis. I now get Polytar from the UK, it costs me a bomb in postage but can't be helped.

Depending how bad your flare up is it will take from 3 weeks to 2 months to clear your scalp using it every 2 days/3 times a week. Once your scalp is clear, you can use it once a week. You don't need oils or other products.

I have Betacap but don't use it too often now that it's worked through the thick parts.

I've got a jar of cold pressed organic (apparently it has to be that?) coconut oil from Holland and Barratt, it works wonders for soothing and any scabby patches can be combed out and it doesn't make it sore. It cost £10 for the jar. I've had it about 2 months now, slather it all over arms and legs too. I'm only about half way through.

As an over user of Betacap when nizarol, tgel etc didn't work I can definitely recommend it.

I second Polytar shampoo, works wonders. I only use it once a week now, more if I get a flare up (which is rare if I use weekly).

Polytar was my go to for my whole life, until a few years ago. It worked. But it was discontinued and has now been replaced with a very expensive, difficult to source version that’s not as good as it once was. @LateMumma @Alondra have you found the formula has changed? Or can you still get the old style one?
@springhasspringed head and shoulders ‘dermax’ products have helped my kids. Quite soothing.

Ginger shampoo and Moo Goo scalp cream which is brilliant for any sore bits,it doesn't make your hair greasy.

@IwillbeWFPB I get mine from Amazon, 3 bottles for about £25, which last forever. Not sure if the formula has changed - I started using it when T-gel coal tar shampoo was discontinued.