What should you know about psoriasis cause hair loss?

Psoriasis can inflame the scalp and produce thick scale. Itching may lead to repeated scratching, and pulling off adherent scale can dislodge hairs or break them. This is usually a shedding or breakage problem rather than destruction of the hair root. Hair loss that is smooth, sharply outlined, widespread, or unrelated to scalp inflammation may have another explanation, such as alopecia areata, pattern hair loss, scalp ringworm, telogen effluvium, or traction alopecia.

Treat the scalp condition with a plan suited to the affected areas and your hairstyle. Loosen scale gently and avoid picking, tight braids, extensions, frequent heat, and harsh chemical services during a flare. Use a soft washing routine and record when shedding began. Do not start hair-growth medicine based only on a psoriasis label; diagnosis determines whether such treatment is useful. Hair restoration approaches also cannot correct ongoing scalp inflammation.

Arrange a dermatology review for persistent, increasing, or patchy hair loss. Seek prompt care for pus, severe tenderness, swelling, fever, or broken hairs with marked scaling, which may indicate infection. Eyebrow loss, nail changes, or joint pain are also useful details to report because they can change the assessment.

Ask whether psoriasis is active, whether hairs are shedding or breaking, and what examination can rule out another cause. Discuss washing, styling, scale removal, and whether a separate hair-loss treatment is appropriate.