How to Treat Psoriasis of the Scalp in Children
Does your child have red scaly patches on his scalp, forehead, behind his ears or on his neck? These red patches may be covered with silver-colored scales, frequently referred to as plaques. Your child may complain of itchiness and tightness of the skin in the affected area. If so, your child may have psoriasis of the scalp. Psoriasis is caused by an increase in skin cell production. A doctor typically can diagnose this condition by a quick exam. Unfortunately, there is no cure, but there are ways to treat psoriasis of the scalp in children.
Instructions
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Use a special shampoo. Wash your child's hair with a shampoo that contains tar or a combination of phenol and saline like Baker Cummins P&S Shampoo. Treatments containing tar decrease the production of new skin cells and reduce redness. The scales on the scalp of children with psoriasis can lead to dandruff. Salicylic acid-containing shampoos can be used to reduce the scales.
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Keep your child's scalp hydrated. It is imperative to keep your child's skin moisturized. Emollients (moisturizing) creams will help prepare the scalp for the stronger active treatment creams. For mild cases of psoriasis, moisturizers like Epaderm may control the outbreaks and reduce irritation.
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Treat psoriasis with active creams and ointments. The doctor may prescribe topical steroid creams (cortisone), coal-tar based treatments like tar pomade, or vitamin D ointments like calcipotriene. These creams help relieve itching, decrease redness of plaques and loosen the flakes on the scalp. Use a moisturizer when you are not using the active creams.
Tar pomade is a scalp treatment that is left on overnight. In the morning, wash your child's hair and then comb the scales out of her wet hair. -
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Carefully part your child's hair in sections and rub the lotion on the scalp. Continue sectioning your child's hair with a comb until you have applied the cream onto the whole affected area.
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Use phototherapy. If your child's psoriasis of the scalp is extremely severe, doctors may recommend phototherapy. This procedure uses ultraviolet light to reduce the growth of skin cells. Side effects can be severe, and include skin damage and skin cancer.
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Tips & Warnings
You can comb and brush your child's hair to remove scales, but be careful not to scratch the scalp. Psoriasis of the scalp can be uncomfortable for your child, and if the plaques are visible, your child may be embarrassed about her appearance and teased by other children. Try to understand your child's emotional reactions, and treat the psoriasis as quickly as you can. Psoriasis is not contagious.
Steroid creams should be used sparingly, as they can be absorbed through the skin. Be careful when using tar products, as they may stain your child's clothes and sheets.
