Skin Disorders of the Scalp

Video Transcript

"Hello, I'm Dr. Loretta Ciraldo, a board-certified dermatologist and author of the book "Six Weeks to Sensational Skin." Let's talk a little bit about disorders of the scalp. The first thing that you need to know is that if you have a generalized skin problem, psoriasis, eczema, any of these types of problems that the problem may exist not only on your exposed skin, but on your scalp as well. And therefore, you need to pay some special attention to your scalp because you may be very good at...you may have gone to the dermatologist and the dermatologist gives you something that's very curative and helpful, as long as you use it on your hands or your elbows or anywhere on your body for your rash. But if you are at the doctor and your problem also involves your scalp, it's of the utmost of importance to mention it during your doctor's visit. Why is this? Because we have special things that are formulated -- special prescriptions that are formulated -- for the scalp. Typically, they'll include the same kinds of active medications that you would have in the creams and ointments that we prescribe for your body. But for the scalp treatment, they're going to typically look almost like a water -- like a bottle of water -- but it's a prescription. And what you'll be doing typically is to put this on before you go to sleep at night. And remember, when you're treating a disorder of the scalp, you have to be sure that any medicine that you have is actually applied to your scalp. Believe it or not, a simple mistake that people sometimes make is they're prescribed, whether by their doctor, their dermatologist, or even the pharmacist, may say, "Okay. Use this for your scalp disorder." And then what they're doing is they're putting the medicine into the hair and not the scalp itself. But you need to actually apply things in your scalp. Another great tip: Put on the medicine, sleep with a shower cap. It'll get in much better. And the very best of luck to you in treating your disorder of your scalp."