Scalp Psoriasis Vs. Dandruff: Differences, Causes, & Treatment

What Is Dandruff?

Dandruff is a non-contagious and common condition marked by a flaking and itchy scalp (1). It is mainly caused due to a dry scalp and can be uncomfortable at times. In some cases, underlying conditions like fungal infections like malassezia, eczema, and seborrheic dermatitis may also cause flaky and itchy patches on your scalp (2).

Trivia

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the term dandruff was first used as a noun by physician and printer Thomas Raynalde in 1545.

Dandruff can be easily treated at home (discussed later in the article) and the treatment options are quite different from the remedies for scalp psoriasis.

What Is Scalp Psoriasis?

Scalp psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory condition that causes scaly, red, and itchy patches on the scalp (3). Your skin cells multiply fast in this condition, causing the dead skin cells to buildup in patches on the scalp. These rough patches are often covered with white scales.

The exact cause of scalp psoriasis is unknown. It is thought to be caused by a combination of the immune system, genetics, and environmental factors. It may be aggravated by weather, stress, infections, and injury.

There are a lot of other factors that may trigger dandruff and scalp psoriasis. Let’s take a closer look.

Causes Of Dandruff And Scalp Psoriasis

Dandruff

• Harsh hair care products like shampoos, dyes, hair sprays, creams, or gels may irritate the scalp and cause flaking, itching, and redness. This is also called contact dermatitis.
• Irregular scalp cleansing and shampooing may cause oil buildup on the scalp that eventually flakes off skin cells.
• Excessive dry scalp and skin can cause flakiness. You may also experience flaking on your body skin.
• Malassezia (a type of fungus) that feeds on the sebum on your scalp also contributes to dandruff (2).
• Oversecretion of certain male hormones may also cause dandruff. This is why dandruff is more common among men than women.
• Those who have a weak immune system are also likely to have dandruff.

Scalp Psoriasis

Unlike dandruff, scalp psoriasis is a chronic condition. As stated earlier, the causes of this condition are not clear.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition in which the antibodies (that are supposed to fight bacterial and viral infections) attack the healthy tissues, causing over-production of skin cells. Under normal circumstances, dead skin flakes off from your skin’s outermost layer in microscopic fragments. However, in psoriasis, the new and healthy skin cells rise to the surface before the older dead skin sheds, causing cell buildup that appears like scaly patches.

Psoriasis shares the mechanism of both autoinflammatory and autoimmune conditions. Currently, this condition is described as a systemic chronic inflammatory condition that has an immunogenetic basis (4).

Did You Know?

About 80% of psoriasis cases involve the scalp, making it the most frequently affected area in the body (5).

Let’s take a look at the symptoms of both the conditions to help you distinguish between the two.

How To Know If You Have Dandruff Or Scalp Psoriasis

Dandruff Symptoms

• Dry patches on your scalp
• Skin flakes falling off your scalp
• Itching

Scalp Psoriasis Symptoms

• Red, dry patches of skin covered in thick, silvery scales on the scalp
• Cracked skin that may bleed
• Itching, burning, or soreness
• May cause swollen and stiff joints

Now that you know the difference between the two conditions, here is how you can treat or manage them.

Treatment For Dandruff And Scalp Psoriasis

Dandruff

Dandruff is not a serious medical condition. But if it keeps coming back, knowing how to treat chronic dandruff can help you find relief. The treatment process includes consistent care and the use of specific home remedies and medications. You can use any gentle anti-dandruff shampoo to clear dandruff from your scalp. If you have excessively dry skin, keeping the scalp moisturized may also help. When buying shampoos for dandruff, look for these ingredients:

• Coal tar
• Zinc pyrithione
• Salicylic acid
• Ketoconazole
• Selenium sulfide

If you prefer natural remedies, tea tree oil is an excellent natural treatment for dandruff (5).

Unlike dandruff, psoriasis cannot be cured or treated. However, it can be managed with prescription medication.

Psoriasis

Depending on the severity, the doctor may prescribe topical ointments, biologic medication, or steroid injections. Mild psoriasis can be managed with topical creams. Such creams slow down the skin cell buildup and reduce inflammation, redness, and scaly patches. These include (6), (7):

• Anthralin (Dritho-Scalp)
• Calcipotriene (Dovonex)
• Calcitriol (Vectical)
• Calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate (Taclonex)
• Tazarotene (Tazorac)

Moderate to severe psoriasis may require more potent medications that could include (6), (7):

• Methotrexate (Trexall)
• Acitretin (Soriatane)
• Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, SandIMMUNE)
• Adalimumab (Humira)
• Certolizumab pegol (Cimzia)
• Golimumab (Simponi)
• Etanercept (Enbrel)
• Infliximab (Remicade)

UV light treatments are also used to control psoriasis patches (8). This treatment can be done at home.

Did You Know?

Around 7.4 million adults in the United States are affected by psoriasis. The most prevalent type, plaque psoriasis, makes up roughly 80-90% of these cases (5).

When To See A Doctor

If your dandruff does not reduce even after using anti-dandruff shampoos, you may need prescription-grade products and medications. In the case of psoriasis, consult a dermatologist when you notice the first symptoms. Psoriasis may also be accompanied by stiff pain and inflammation in your joints, indicating psoriatic arthritis (10). In such cases, consulting a rheumatologist is also recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can dandruff lead to psoriasis?

No, dandruff does not lead to psoriasis. They are two different conditions. Dandruff is a common condition characterized by a flaky and itchy scalp. Scalp psoriasis is an autoimmune condition characterized by itchy and red patches on the scalp.

How common is scalp psoriasis?

It is estimated that 45% to 56% of individuals with psoriasis may experience scalp psoriasis (11).

What deficiency causes scalp psoriasis?

Studies have found a link between vitamin D deficiency and scalp psoriasis. However, the exact mechanism behind this association is unknown and requires further studies (12).

Should you scratch dandruff?

Avoid scratching dandruff as it can damage the scalp and lead to inflammation and irritation, further aggravating your condition.

Distinguish between psoriasis and dandruff in this video. Check out the video to gain insights into identifying the differences and understanding the symptoms. Learn about effective ways to manage each condition for a healthier scalp.

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Vindhya L VeerulaMD, FAAD

   

Dr. Veerula (Dr. V) is a diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology, a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and American Society of Dermatologic Surgeons. She is an energetic, proactive, and compassionate medical practitioner with 5 years of experience and a thorough understanding of overall mind-body-spiritual wellness.

Read full bio of Dr. Vindhya L Veerula

Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor

 

Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy.

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Eshna DasAssociate Editor

Eshna is an associate editor and a certified skin care coach. She has over three years of experience, a triple main bachelor’s degree in psychology, English, and journalism from Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru, and a master’s degree in psychology from Sampurna Montfort College, Bengaluru.

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Monomita ChakrabortyBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Monomita has a graduate degree in mass communication and video production from St. Anthony's College, Shillong, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the Royal Global University, Guwahati. She is also a certified skincare coach with a keen interest in skin, hair, tattoos, nail art, and lifestyle trends.

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