Tackling Scalp Psoriasis: The All Natural Way

One of my earliest memories of ma managing life with psoriasis was getting my head shaved. I was 5 years old and my scalp psoriasis was so thick, that shaving my head was the only option.

Let's start with basic tips...

Psoriasis flare-ups on the scalp can be really frustrating. It heightens your self-consciousness because you can’t hide it. One of the first things you can do is take a deep breath and know everything’s going to be ok.

Before diving into some of the natural remedies I've tried, I want to share some basic tips when managing the inconvenient and frustrating symptoms of scalp psoriasis.

Avoid sweat: Scalp psoriasis can be really itchy and sweating only irritates it. Sometimes when flares are bad, it will creep down onto your neck, forehead and even ears.

Be gentle: When an outbreak occurs the best thing to do is to remove the thick scales gently from your scalp and surrounding area. This allows the treatment to penetrate the skin and moisturize the affected area.

Keep moisturizing: The main key when removing the scales is to keep the surface area moist. You need your scalp to be hydrated with moisture to effectively remove the scales and begin treatment.

Learn your options: You can opt for a non-natural approach that uses products that contain active ingredients that will break down the skin flakes. However, there have been many natural treatments that help do the same thing but without the chemicals.

A look at scalp psoriasis home remedies and treatments

I have tried hundreds of natural treatments over the years. Some worked and some didn’t.

Natural treatments and remedies won’t cause hair to break or become damaged and they seem to have long-term benefits. You can always play around with natural treatments and see which combination works best for your scalp.

Vitamin E, aloe and essential oils

I currently use vitamin E, aloe, and essential oils. You can combine (depending on the number of scales) 1-2 teaspoons of vitamin E and 1-2 teaspoons of natural aloe vera and then mix in your favorite essential oil preferably one good for psoriasis like lavender, geranium, frankincense, or rose.

You can use avocado oil or almond oil in place of vitamin E oil but you most definitely need oil to lock in the moisture.

Tea tree oil

Tea Tree oil is effective against psoriasis when purchased in 100% pure concentration. Don’t be fooled by products that use menthol to replicate the natural smell of tea tree.

While tea tree is great for treating and preventing infection and clearing the scalp, it may need to be used in combination with another treatment to remove scales. Coconut oil is a natural antiseptic and is a great moisturizer for the skin.

Henna

Henna is one of those amazing natural ingredients that many psoriasis sufferers don’t know about or haven’t tried. You should combine the henna, water, and coconut oil to create a hair and scalp mask that will sit on your scalp for 1-4 hours depending on how bad your flare is.

Rinse it out and repeat it when necessary. You’ll notice a big difference once you start to use it.

Banana peels

Banana peels have been surprisingly effective when treating a psoriasis outbreak. You take the inside of the banana peel and rub it on the affected area. Repeat this course of action 3-4 times in one day.

Continue for 2-3 days in a row and see how your skin looks after trying this remedy.

What I have learned?

Stress is one of the main causes of outbreaks, less stress will definitely help in reducing flares and the severity of flares. Stay away from dandruff shampoos, my experience is that they would irritate my scalp and psoriasis. They cause more itching and flakes.

Drink plenty of water. This may sound repetitive but you simply must stay hydrated when you have psoriasis. Keep your scalp hydrated with oils like vitamin E, coconut, or avocado oil. Watch what you eat and make sure you’re eating healthy oils in your diet. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential to keeping your skin and scalp healthy.

What works for you?

I hope you’ll give the natural scalp treatments for psoriasis a try. Combine remedies and find a customized solution that works best for you. My scalp has been free from psoriasis for over 10 years now!