Can Psoriasis Cause Hair Loss

If psoriasis is affecting your scalp, those dry, scaly patches of skin may not be your only concern. You may notice that you’re also shedding hair.

Wait, can psoriasis cause hair loss? Yes — it’s called psoriatic alopecia — but it’s usually a temporary problem. Medications and lifestyle changes are often enough to reduce flare-ups and allow your hair to grow back.

Below, we explain how psoriasis causes hair loss and cover a few science-backed techniques for treating scalp psoriasis hair loss.

Scalp psoriasis is a common form of psoriasis, an autoimmune condition that causes skin cells to grow faster than normal and form plaque layers on the skin’s surface. According to a 2016 study published in Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, between 45 percent and 56 percent of people with psoriasis also have scalp psoriasis.

Scalp psoriasis also can extend onto your forehead and the back of your neck.

Scalp psoriasis usually occurs in flare-ups, which can vary in length and severity. Flare-ups are often caused by specific triggers, such as stress, extreme weather, skin injuries, and even certain foods.

Symptoms of Scalp Psoriasis

The first symptom of scalp psoriasis you might notice is patches of skin that look unusual compared to the rest of your scalp.

Generally, these affected areas of your scalp may be:

• Flaky and dandruff-like

• Thick, scaly, and crusted

• Discolored (red or dark-colored)

• Painful, burning, or stinging

• Itchy and uncomfortable

• Bleeding (if you scratch it often)

If you have psoriasis on your scalp, you’ll likely have it on other parts of your body, too. If you’re not sure whether you have psoriasis or another skin disorder, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with a healthcare professional.

Does psoriasis cause hair loss? Yes, severe cases of scalp psoriasis can lead to hair loss. Scalp psoriasis doesn’t cause hair loss directly, but scratching your scalp excessively or pulling at the affected areas of skin — for example, to remove scaly skin — can cause temporary hair loss.

Unlike hair loss caused by male pattern baldness, scalp psoriasis hair loss doesn’t occur in a particular pattern, like a receding hairline or a bald spot that spreads from the crown of your head. Instead, it can occur in patches anywhere on your scalp.

But, also unlike male pattern baldness, your hair will probably grow back once you get your psoriasis under control.

If you’re not sure what’s causing your hair to shed, it’s best to make an appointment with a healthcare provider, like a dermatologist or a general practitioner. They can help identify whether scalp psoriasis is to blame for your hair loss.

While there’s no cure for psoriasis, you can manage your flare-ups using scalp psoriasis treatments, which can make your symptoms less severe. They can also help you endure flare-ups without excessively scratching your scalp, which will minimize damage to your hair.

There are a number of prescription and over-the-counter psoriasis treatments like:

• Oral medications, such as methotrexate, apremilast, or cyclosporine

• Corticosteroid injections

• Biologic drugs like etanercept, which are given via IV or injection

• Topical medications, like retinoid creams or topical steroids

• Moisturizers, ointments, and lotions to reduce itching

Along with healthy hair care habits, these psoriasis treatments can help you regrow hair you lose from psoriasis hair loss. Just be sure to follow your healthcare professional’s advice.

In addition, if a particular medication isn’t working as well as you’d like or you’re experiencing intolerable side effects, it’s a good idea to reach out to your healthcare provider and explore other treatment options.

Some of these other treatment options include the following.

Medicated Shampoos

Medicated psoriasis shampoos often contain ingredients like:

• Salicylic acid to soften and gently exfoliate dead skin cells, making it easier to remove psoriasis plaques

• Coal tar to help soothe inflammation, reduce itchiness, and slow down skin growth 

• Clobetasol propionate, a potent corticosteroid that reduces inflammation and itchiness

Some of these medicated shampoos are available over the counter, while others require a prescription.

Phototherapy

Phototherapy, or light therapy, can help soothe symptoms of scalp psoriasis.

A healthcare professional might recommend spending a few minutes in the sun every day — a free way to get your daily dose of ultraviolet (UV) light.

But if your hair is thick or you have severe scalp psoriasis, you might need phototherapy. This treatment uses UVB light or lasers to slow the growth of skin cells and reduce inflammation and itchiness. It is usually done in a dermatologist’s office.

Identify Your Psoriasis Triggers

If you have psoriasis, identifying triggers can help you reduce flare-ups and respond to them more quickly. Some medications may also aggravate flare-ups.

Keep a record of your flare-ups and possible triggers so you can share them with your dermatologist and be ready to treat symptoms as quickly as possible.

Avoid Scratching Your Scalp

Scratching your scalp during a psoriasis flare-up can damage your skin and worsen hair loss. 

Topical treatments like moisturizers or ointments can help relieve itchiness. If you still scratch, try cutting your fingernails short, which can reduce the effectiveness of scratching. 

Avoid Heat Styling or Harsh Chemicals

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends gentle, simple hair care habits to reduce psoriasis flare-ups and encourage hair growth.

Try to avoid heat styling. Blow drying your hair can make your scalp overly dry, worsening your psoriasis symptoms. Instead, let your hair dry naturally after you finish showering or pat your hair dry with a microfiber towel.

Also, avoid harsh relaxers, hair dye, perms, and gels, as they can irritate your scalp and damage your hair.

Lastly, don’t wear tight hairstyles, like overly restrictive ponytails, cornrows, or man buns. These can pull on your scalp, worsening hair loss and causing hair breakage. They can also irritate your scalp.

Psoriasis can develop on many parts of your skin, including your scalp, forehead, and the back of your neck. You probably know this condition for its itchiness and the plaques it causes, but there’s also a link between scalp psoriasis and hair loss.

• Can psoriasis cause hair loss? Yes, but only indirectly. This is because excessive scratching can damage your hair.

• Scalp psoriasis hair loss is temporary. You’ll likely see hair regrowth once your scalp has had the chance to heal.

• There are many treatment options. While you can’t cure scalp psoriasis, treatments like medicated shampoos, phototherapy, and prescription oral medications can help reduce flare-ups.

Although psoriasis-related hair loss can be frustrating, it’s important to remember that there are ways to manage your psoriasis flare-ups.

The first step is to schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider. They can examine your skin and give you a diagnosis. They can also help you explore your treatment options and give you expert medical advice on managing your flare-ups.