Pulsating scalp pain
I use coal tar shampoo twice weekly my scalp is painful to touch and throbs it's madly itchy and almost too painful to scratch it disturbs my sleep and I don't know what to do
Thank you for sharing here with us, Scalp psoriasis can be notoriously difficult to treat. I am sharing some links with you to articles that have some tips for dealing with scalp psoriasis.
https://plaquepsoriasis.com/living/scalp-trigger-tips
https://plaquepsoriasis.com/living/scalp-menthol
I manage mine with some menthol shampoo and hair dye, but that is not for everyone and should be used with caution: https://plaquepsoriasis.com/living/scalp-psoriasis-dying-hair
Mine is currently so temperamental and that which usually works is proving challenging, nothing is fool proof for me.
Have you chatted with your doctor about possibly giving you a medicated shampoo? I have heard great things, although I have not tried it myself. is this something you could or would consider?
Warmly ,
Clair ( Team member)
Hi
, thank you for reaching out here and I'm sorry to read that you're struggling so much with your scalp at the moment. That sounds so painful and uncomfortable. Scalp psoriasis can be such a struggle, and so stubborn too. I find a coal tar shampoo helpful these days, but when my psoriasis was very bad on my scalp I had to treat it with prescription topicals. Some people do find that they have to take some of the stronger medications to get their scalp psoriasis under control. Have you been able to check in with a doctor or dermatologist about your scalp lately? They may have some suggestions for you.
Alongside the helpful information from Clair, I wanted to share the following article where our community members have talked about some alternative therapies for scalp psoriasis: https://plaquepsoriasis.com/living/alternative-scalp-tips I also wanted to share a comment from Dewi with you, who mentions struggling with this horribly painful scalp psoriasis: https://plaquepsoriasis.com/living/mastering-scalp-psoriasis-cover-up-tips#comment-521490 I thought there may be some comfort in knowing that you're not alone (although, of course, we all wish that none of us had to deal with this). Hoping you can find something that helps. Please keep us posted if you can. Warmly, -Catherine, Community ModeratorThanks so much for those tips.l developed this l think from leaving a black hairdye on way too long a few years ago I used a coal tar shampoo and have headlice ,i use a comb every day but as i can't use the treatments it drives my scalp insane,it bleeds when I scratch it n is so painful,betnovate makes it worse and chunks of skin come off my scalp its like a dry painful dessert for your advise
you are so welcome. Treating this can be real tricky, Have you managed to get the head lice under control? I imagine that some of the treatments would be hard to use with raw skin on your scalp.
When my daughter last had it, we used a tea tree shampoo and combed it out with a lice comb twice a day—washed all linen with hot water, bicarb, vinegar, and tea tree. It took us about a week to get rid of it and we kept the tea tree in the shampoo for ages after. A person has to be so careful with the combing too, as you do not want to damage the skin, and it is often easier to get someone else to do it for you.
I am unable to use Tea Tree, as my psoriasis does not like it. So it is different for everyone.
If you can talk to your doctor, I would start there about how to get rid of the lice properly and then treat your scalp. I have found in the past that an oat soak is very helpful in soothing my skin without burning and hurting it further, and it has helped my scalp too. here is an article that touches on that too.
https://plaquepsoriasis.com/living/home-remedies
I do hope that you find some relief soon. we are here for you, every step of the way.
Warmly,
Clair ( Team Member), it's no trouble at all 🙂 I'm sure the headlice makes this even more uncomfortable. I had headlice a lot as a child and my scalp psoriasis was severe up until my early twenties, so I can definitely relate to the struggle. I actually think the constant combing irritated my scalp more, but I can't be sure. Do you mind me asking why you are unable to use the headlice treatments? If I remember correctly, they did really sting but we felt it was better to get rid of the headlice first, then deal with the psoriasis (of course, that's easier said than done!). I recently thought I had headlice again as an adult, because my scalp psoriasis was so itchy. I didn't end up actually having lice this time around, but I did use one of the treatments that you only have to use once. It wasn't too irritating to my scalp psoriasis, but we're all different. Perhaps that's something to look into? Like you, I didn't have any luck with steroids like betnovate for my scalp. I ended up having success with Dovonex scalp solution, although unfortunately this has been discontinued in the UK now, as has its generic form - calcipotriol scalp solution. I saw that
mentioned using a newer treatment called ZORYVE foam on their scalp. I'm not sure where in the world you are, but maybe that's something to ask your doctor about. Are you seeing a dermatologist? Warmest wishes, -Catherine, Community Moderator
