My Scalp Psoriasis Was So Bad I Couldn't Even Get a Haircut

By Jack Gevertz

2 min read

I have suffered from scalp psoriasis since I was 11 years old. I suffered cradle cap as a baby but was diagnosed with scalp and plaque psoriasis when I was 11.

For many years, I only suffered in minimal amounts and all I used to clear my plaques was a coal-tar shampoo. But when I was a teenager, my scalp psoriasis came back, worse, angrier and redder than it ever had before.

It starts with red plaques on your scalp

Scalp psoriasis starts as red lesions in your hair. You may suffer from psoriasis on the hairline too which tends to come out in red patches also. On top of the red patches is skin that forms. They can grow quite thickly so it’s difficult to cut or loosen.

There are lots of treatments out there for scalp psoriasis. Salicylic acid, coal tar shampoos, Enstilar foam, the list goes on.

The impact on mental health

I ended up depressed and let my hair grow. Scales became thicker and thicker and it became impossible for a barber or hairdresser to cut my hair. I felt in despair.

I was embarrassed to go out, to see friends or be seen anywhere in public. I hated having this condition. And, I started developing bald patches where I had been itching or scratching. It was horrible and I thought there were no treatments available that could help me.

Tips for management

I finally found some relief in combining my coal tar shampoo with coconut oil. I would buy tubs of coconut oil from a local pharmacy shop and made sure I had a couple of spares just in case I ran out.

Each night before bed I would first wash my hair with the coal-tar shampoo. After, I would take a chunk of the coconut oil out of the tub and lather my hair. I would make sure all of the scales had the coconut oil over them. I would then leave the coconut oil in my hair overnight and use a shower cap to prevent it from staining the pillow.

When I woke up, I would use a small comb to get the scales out of my hair. Sometimes, the scales were so thick they would bleed, so I had to be careful. Some would come out very easily, others would take chunks of my hair out with it.

Managing severe symptoms

This was a horrible process, but one I had to do. Afterward, I would wash the coconut oil out with the coal-tar shampoo. Sometimes, it would take a good few washes to completely clear but I did eventually get it out. I repeated this process each day. While it never cleared my psoriasis, it helped to manage some of the more severe symptoms.

I stopped doing this process a year ago because I am currently on an effective biologic that has cleared my psoriasis. Sometimes, if I feel a flake or two in my hair, I will use the coconut oil just to soften it again, but this is rare.

What have you done to help with scalp psoriasis? I’d be keen to hear your thoughts below.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The PlaquePsoriasis.com team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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tonytoshiba Member
Good writing, I will purchase some coconut oil. Hopefully it will help. As a child my psoriasis was on my two forearms. Bloody scabby messes according to my parents. I didn't care as it was just me, I was already leading an exciting life. The mittens were tied on, I would just rub them on the itching. Same with the socks when I went to bed. We finally had Dr. Gerace come over. After that we went to his office. Then a lotion was applied, and hour later another lotion with sand in it was rubbed in, left for a bit and washed off with cold water. And then another lotion. The itching stopped. I was sent to a specialist for my uncontrollable asthma. Dr. Tebris determined that when I became ill or had an infection my antibodies came out as is normal. But they had no sense, they were killing me, I was allergic to them. I was also allergic to my perspiration, all right, I was a kid, I sweated. I began a round of injections, already had the allergy tests. Injections every day, then one every other day, every third, and finally only one a week. I was finally breathing with some ease, my asthma was not constant. I was able to run and play, not on the grass as that would put me in the hospital as would the Santa Ana winds, they carried Russian Thistle, aka tumbleweeds. And best of all, my psoriasis was gone. I was allergic to myself. So a bunch of decades later I would bring my sons in to Linda so she would cut their hair. My oldest demanded this, he had moved, my scissors cuts half his ear off, (actually I nicked the lobe), it didn't stop bleeding for days, mostly his words, he might exaggerate a bit now and again. Linda cut their hair and did a fine job, they were, are very handsome. She asked me why I don't cut my hair. I let her know that I cannot get rid of my dandruff. She knew I was an engineer or a manager and wondered my hair went down my back in a braid to my belt. She offered to cut it as a businessman's cut. First she washed it, that was nice, it had not been washed by somebody else since the early 70's. Whoops, I cut my hair for our wedding in 1980. She cut it and everybody was surprised to see me in short hair. I had just been lucky that my skills were good enough that neat long hair was okay. Then she recommended a tar based shampoo. Dandruff gone, was probably my psoriasis again. Which has returned to my feet, arms, scalp, heck, I am allergic to my perspiration again. If doctors were not so expensive I would probably see one. Last one I saw had it almost gone, said the next visit would be my last. He went on vacation, the attending doc gave me a couple shots and let me know I would be needing to see him twice a week for a few months. Within an hour my psoriasis was horrible, I was red and itching and my skin was oozing. I called his office, he told my condition was normal with a bad case of psoriasis. I did not go back to see him. As an elderly man I have taught myself not to react and scratch when I itch. When it gets bad I have plenty of long sleeve shirts.
Jack Gevertz Moderator & Contributor
Oh Tony, my heart goes out to you. It sounds like you've been through rather a lot. I can relate to having psoriasis on the forearms. At one point, I was about 80 per cent covered, and very miserable and down. I was scratching and itching all the time that eventually my clothes had blood patches where I scratched. I am sorry that you cannot see a doctor. I am lucky in that I am based in the UK and we have a health service which is free at the point of use so I get my appointments and treatments all through that. I have been lucky enough to be offered a biologic which I have been on for a year now and it's been absolutely wonderful in clearing my psoriasis lesions. It sounds like you have adopted a good attitude towards your psoriasis. This condition can be so troublesome and horrible, that many end up with mental health conditions or just a general sadness feeling. I know I've been tested with mine and it's not nice. I just wanted to point out to you that we have an asthma community as well. You can check out that website: <a href='https://asthma.net/' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>https://asthma.net/</a> for lots of good resources and good community articles on the condition. That may help. Thank you for taking the time to write Tony, I really appreciate it and I enjoyed reading your story. Stay strong, and we're here if you ever have any more questions or queries, or just need to vent. Sending warm wishes - Jack, Community Moderator.
rasha Member
Having psoriasis (as well as seborrheic dermatitis from WAY back), I found myself waiting for flareups to subside before getting a haircut, and apologizing to my stylist. It made me depressed that I felt I was subjecting her to work that close to me. It really does affect one's self image. I use moisturizing shampoos frequently, but will look into coal tar-based ones for the tough times. Most of my psoriasis is on my shins and back (almost impossible to reach to put moisturizer there), so it's out of sight, but during a flareup, it can show up and around the eyebrows and on the temples. The dermatitis then makes an appearance right up front. Wash, moisturize, diet. Repeat. I think one very important consideration in handling the visible manifestations of psoriasis, such as scalp and arms, is to own it, and find those who really get where you are to cut your hair or other services. I love my stylist. I just let her know "Bit of a flare up," and she knows exactly where I'm at. I still need to work on not saying "Sorry", though. It still affects my self image. Her understanding is a key part of me dealing with it.
1. Jack Gevertz Moderator & Contributor
 Hi Rasha. This is really helpful, thank you. I think initially the problem I had was a lot of barbers couldn't cut the hair. It wasn't so much a case of not wanting to but my scales were so thick it made the whole process painful, and my scales would bleed. My scalp psoriasis was very, very, very bad. Moisturising shampoos I don't use that often, but I do use a lot of moisturiser. Although, now I'm on a biologic and my patches have cleared, I've not really had to implement any regimes like that; not as rigorously anyway. Best of luck to you and do keep me posted with your progress. - Jack, Community Moderator.