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Prevalence of Scalp Psoriasis
Scalp psoriasis is a common and difficult-to-treat manifestation of psoriasis.1,2 The prevalence of scalp psoriasis in patients with psoriasis is estimated to be 45% to 56%.3 Other studies have shown 80% to 90% of patients with psoriasis have scalp involvement at some point during the course of their disease.2,4-6
Clinical Presentation
Scalp psoriasis typically presents as red thickened patches with silvery white scales that flake and may be mistaken for dandruff.7,8
The lesions may be limited to the hairline or may extend to the forehead, ears, and back of the neck.1,9 Patients often report intense itching, feelings of soreness, and burning.10,11 Patients with scalp psoriasis also are vulnerable to Koebner phenomenon because normal hair care along with scratching or picking at lesions can result in skin trauma and a cycle of exacerbating disease.11
Quality of Life Implications
Scalp involvement can dramatically affect a patient’s quality of life and often poses considerable therapeutic challenges for dermatologists.2,12,13 In one study, more than 70% of patients with scalp psoriasis reported difficulty with daily life.12 Patients frequently report feelings of shame, embarrassment, or self-consciousness about scalp psoriasis; many grow their hair long or wear hats to hide scalp lesions. Others report that flaking sometimes, often, or always affects their choice of clothing color.7,12
Psoriatic Alopecia
Alopecia is another common sequala in the setting of scalp psoriasis, though it is not well understood.14,15 First described by Shuster16 in 1972, psoriatic alopecia is associated with diminished hair density, follicular miniaturization, sebaceous gland atrophy, and an increased number of dystrophic bulbs in psoriatic plaques.14,17 Clinically, it presents as pink scaly plaques consistent with psoriasis with overlying alopecia. In most patients, hair loss is usually reversible following effective treatment of psoriasis; however, instances of psoriatic alopecia have been reported as cicatricial (permanent) hair loss and generalized telogen effluvium. Cicatricial alopecia is increasingly being linked with chronic relapsing episodes of psoriasis.14,15 Patients with psoriatic alopecia are known to have a higher proportion of telogen and catagen hairs.14,18 Moreover, patients with psoriasis have more dystrophic hairs in affected and unaffected skin despite no differences in skin when compared to unaffected patients.14
The patient described here had scalp psoriasis with increased and preserved hair density. The case suggests that while most patients with scalp psoriasis experience psoriatic alopecia of the lesional skin, some may unconventionally experience increased hair density, which is contradictory to propositions that the friction associated with the application of topical treatments results in breakage of telogen hairs.14,15
Therapeutic Options
Although numerous treatment options for psoriasis are available, the scalp remains a difficult area to treat.1,14 Increased hair density can complicate antipsoriatic treatment by making the scalp inaccessible and topical therapies even more difficult to apply.14 The presence of hair also has been shown to strongly influence treatment adherence.1,8 Patients often discuss the greasy effect of medications in this area and difficulty removing products from the hair.1
Topical corticosteroids, with or without the addition of the vitamin D analogs calcipotriol or calcipotriene, remain the first-line treatment of mild scalp psoriasis. It is possible that the development of new formulations in recent years—foams, shampoos, and sprays—may improve adherence. Systemic treatment should be considered in severe or intractable cases.
Bottom Line
Although hair loss is more common, scalp psoriasis also may present with increased hair density, which may make topical medications more difficult to apply and can affect treatment adherence. Topical corticosteroids, with or without the addition of the vitamin D analog calcipotriol, remain the first-line treatment of mild scalp psoriasis. Systemic therapy should be considered in severe or recalcitrant cases.
- Blakely K, Gooderham M. Management of scalp psoriasis: current perspectives. Psoriasis (Auckl). 2016;6:33-40.
- Krueger G, Koo J, Lebwohl M, et al. The impact of psoriasis on quality of life: results of a 1998 National Psoriasis Foundation patient-membership survey. Arch Dermatol. 2001;137:280-284.
- Merola JF, Li T, Li WQ, et al. Prevalence of psoriasis phenotypes among men and women in the USA. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2016;41:486-489.
- Frez ML, Asawanonda P, Gunasekara C, et al. Recommendations for a patient-centered approach to the assessment and treatment of scalp psoriasis: a consensus statement from the Asia Scalp Psoriasis Study Group. J Dermatol Treat. 2014;25:38-45.
- van de Kerkhof PC, Franssen ME. Psoriasis of the scalp. diagnosis and management. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2001;2:159-165.
- Chan CS, Van Voorhees AS, Lebwohl MG, et al. Treatment of severe scalp psoriasis: from the Medical Board of the National Psoriasis Foundation. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2009;60:962-971.
- Aldredge LM, Higham RC. Manifestations and management of difficult-to-treat psoriasis. J Dermatol Nurses Assoc. 2018;10:189-197.
- Dopytalska K, Sobolewski P, Blaszczak A, et al. Psoriasis in special localizations. Reumatologia. 2018;56:392-398.
- Papp K, Berth-Jones J, Kragballe K, et al. Scalp psoriasis: a review of current topical treatment options. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2007;21:1151-1160.
- Kircik LH, Kumar S. Scalp psoriasis. J Drugs Dermatol. 2010;9(8 suppl):S101-S105.
- Wozel G. Psoriasis treatment in difficult locations: scalp, nails, and intertriginous areas. Clin Dermatol. 2008;26:448-459.
- Sampogna F, Linder D, Piaserico S, et al. Quality of life assessment of patients with scalp dermatitis using the Italian version of the Scalpdex. Acta Dermato-Venereologica. 2014;94:411-414.
- Crowley J. Scalp psoriasis: an overview of the disease and available therapies. J Drugs Dermatol. 2010;9:912-918.
- Shah VV, Lee EB, Reddy SP, et al. Scalp psoriasis with increased hair density. Cutis. 2018;102:63-64.
- George SM, Taylor MR, Farrant PB. Psoriatic alopecia. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2015;40:717-721.
- Shuster S. Psoriatic alopecia. Br J Dermatol. 1972;87:73-77.
- Wyatt E, Bottoms E, Comaish S. Abnormal hair shafts in psoriasis on scanning electron microscopy. Br J Dermatol. 1972;87:368-373.
- Schoorl WJ, van Baar HJ, van de Kerkhof PC. The hair root pattern in psoriasis of the scalp. Acta Derm Venereol. 1992;72:141-142.
Prevalence of Scalp Psoriasis
Scalp psoriasis is a common and difficult-to-treat manifestation of psoriasis.1,2 The prevalence of scalp psoriasis in patients with psoriasis is estimated to be 45% to 56%.3 Other studies have shown 80% to 90% of patients with psoriasis have scalp involvement at some point during the course of their disease.2,4-6
Clinical Presentation
Scalp psoriasis typically presents as red thickened patches with silvery white scales that flake and may be mistaken for dandruff.7,8
The lesions may be limited to the hairline or may extend to the forehead, ears, and back of the neck.1,9 Patients often report intense itching, feelings of soreness, and burning.10,11 Patients with scalp psoriasis also are vulnerable to Koebner phenomenon because normal hair care along with scratching or picking at lesions can result in skin trauma and a cycle of exacerbating disease.11
Quality of Life Implications
Scalp involvement can dramatically affect a patient’s quality of life and often poses considerable therapeutic challenges for dermatologists.2,12,13 In one study, more than 70% of patients with scalp psoriasis reported difficulty with daily life.12 Patients frequently report feelings of shame, embarrassment, or self-consciousness about scalp psoriasis; many grow their hair long or wear hats to hide scalp lesions. Others report that flaking sometimes, often, or always affects their choice of clothing color.7,12
Psoriatic Alopecia
Alopecia is another common sequala in the setting of scalp psoriasis, though it is not well understood.14,15 First described by Shuster16 in 1972, psoriatic alopecia is associated with diminished hair density, follicular miniaturization, sebaceous gland atrophy, and an increased number of dystrophic bulbs in psoriatic plaques.14,17 Clinically, it presents as pink scaly plaques consistent with psoriasis with overlying alopecia. In most patients, hair loss is usually reversible following effective treatment of psoriasis; however, instances of psoriatic alopecia have been reported as cicatricial (permanent) hair loss and generalized telogen effluvium. Cicatricial alopecia is increasingly being linked with chronic relapsing episodes of psoriasis.14,15 Patients with psoriatic alopecia are known to have a higher proportion of telogen and catagen hairs.14,18 Moreover, patients with psoriasis have more dystrophic hairs in affected and unaffected skin despite no differences in skin when compared to unaffected patients.14
The patient described here had scalp psoriasis with increased and preserved hair density. The case suggests that while most patients with scalp psoriasis experience psoriatic alopecia of the lesional skin, some may unconventionally experience increased hair density, which is contradictory to propositions that the friction associated with the application of topical treatments results in breakage of telogen hairs.14,15
Therapeutic Options
Although numerous treatment options for psoriasis are available, the scalp remains a difficult area to treat.1,14 Increased hair density can complicate antipsoriatic treatment by making the scalp inaccessible and topical therapies even more difficult to apply.14 The presence of hair also has been shown to strongly influence treatment adherence.1,8 Patients often discuss the greasy effect of medications in this area and difficulty removing products from the hair.1
Topical corticosteroids, with or without the addition of the vitamin D analogs calcipotriol or calcipotriene, remain the first-line treatment of mild scalp psoriasis. It is possible that the development of new formulations in recent years—foams, shampoos, and sprays—may improve adherence. Systemic treatment should be considered in severe or intractable cases.
Bottom Line
Although hair loss is more common, scalp psoriasis also may present with increased hair density, which may make topical medications more difficult to apply and can affect treatment adherence. Topical corticosteroids, with or without the addition of the vitamin D analog calcipotriol, remain the first-line treatment of mild scalp psoriasis. Systemic therapy should be considered in severe or recalcitrant cases.
Prevalence of Scalp Psoriasis
Scalp psoriasis is a common and difficult-to-treat manifestation of psoriasis.1,2 The prevalence of scalp psoriasis in patients with psoriasis is estimated to be 45% to 56%.3 Other studies have shown 80% to 90% of patients with psoriasis have scalp involvement at some point during the course of their disease.2,4-6
Clinical Presentation
Scalp psoriasis typically presents as red thickened patches with silvery white scales that flake and may be mistaken for dandruff.7,8
The lesions may be limited to the hairline or may extend to the forehead, ears, and back of the neck.1,9 Patients often report intense itching, feelings of soreness, and burning.10,11 Patients with scalp psoriasis also are vulnerable to Koebner phenomenon because normal hair care along with scratching or picking at lesions can result in skin trauma and a cycle of exacerbating disease.11
Quality of Life Implications
Scalp involvement can dramatically affect a patient’s quality of life and often poses considerable therapeutic challenges for dermatologists.2,12,13 In one study, more than 70% of patients with scalp psoriasis reported difficulty with daily life.12 Patients frequently report feelings of shame, embarrassment, or self-consciousness about scalp psoriasis; many grow their hair long or wear hats to hide scalp lesions. Others report that flaking sometimes, often, or always affects their choice of clothing color.7,12
Psoriatic Alopecia
Alopecia is another common sequala in the setting of scalp psoriasis, though it is not well understood.14,15 First described by Shuster16 in 1972, psoriatic alopecia is associated with diminished hair density, follicular miniaturization, sebaceous gland atrophy, and an increased number of dystrophic bulbs in psoriatic plaques.14,17 Clinically, it presents as pink scaly plaques consistent with psoriasis with overlying alopecia. In most patients, hair loss is usually reversible following effective treatment of psoriasis; however, instances of psoriatic alopecia have been reported as cicatricial (permanent) hair loss and generalized telogen effluvium. Cicatricial alopecia is increasingly being linked with chronic relapsing episodes of psoriasis.14,15 Patients with psoriatic alopecia are known to have a higher proportion of telogen and catagen hairs.14,18 Moreover, patients with psoriasis have more dystrophic hairs in affected and unaffected skin despite no differences in skin when compared to unaffected patients.14
The patient described here had scalp psoriasis with increased and preserved hair density. The case suggests that while most patients with scalp psoriasis experience psoriatic alopecia of the lesional skin, some may unconventionally experience increased hair density, which is contradictory to propositions that the friction associated with the application of topical treatments results in breakage of telogen hairs.14,15
Therapeutic Options
Although numerous treatment options for psoriasis are available, the scalp remains a difficult area to treat.1,14 Increased hair density can complicate antipsoriatic treatment by making the scalp inaccessible and topical therapies even more difficult to apply.14 The presence of hair also has been shown to strongly influence treatment adherence.1,8 Patients often discuss the greasy effect of medications in this area and difficulty removing products from the hair.1
Topical corticosteroids, with or without the addition of the vitamin D analogs calcipotriol or calcipotriene, remain the first-line treatment of mild scalp psoriasis. It is possible that the development of new formulations in recent years—foams, shampoos, and sprays—may improve adherence. Systemic treatment should be considered in severe or intractable cases.
Bottom Line
Although hair loss is more common, scalp psoriasis also may present with increased hair density, which may make topical medications more difficult to apply and can affect treatment adherence. Topical corticosteroids, with or without the addition of the vitamin D analog calcipotriol, remain the first-line treatment of mild scalp psoriasis. Systemic therapy should be considered in severe or recalcitrant cases.
- Blakely K, Gooderham M. Management of scalp psoriasis: current perspectives. Psoriasis (Auckl). 2016;6:33-40.
- Krueger G, Koo J, Lebwohl M, et al. The impact of psoriasis on quality of life: results of a 1998 National Psoriasis Foundation patient-membership survey. Arch Dermatol. 2001;137:280-284.
- Merola JF, Li T, Li WQ, et al. Prevalence of psoriasis phenotypes among men and women in the USA. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2016;41:486-489.
- Frez ML, Asawanonda P, Gunasekara C, et al. Recommendations for a patient-centered approach to the assessment and treatment of scalp psoriasis: a consensus statement from the Asia Scalp Psoriasis Study Group. J Dermatol Treat. 2014;25:38-45.
- van de Kerkhof PC, Franssen ME. Psoriasis of the scalp. diagnosis and management. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2001;2:159-165.
- Chan CS, Van Voorhees AS, Lebwohl MG, et al. Treatment of severe scalp psoriasis: from the Medical Board of the National Psoriasis Foundation. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2009;60:962-971.
- Aldredge LM, Higham RC. Manifestations and management of difficult-to-treat psoriasis. J Dermatol Nurses Assoc. 2018;10:189-197.
- Dopytalska K, Sobolewski P, Blaszczak A, et al. Psoriasis in special localizations. Reumatologia. 2018;56:392-398.
- Papp K, Berth-Jones J, Kragballe K, et al. Scalp psoriasis: a review of current topical treatment options. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2007;21:1151-1160.
- Kircik LH, Kumar S. Scalp psoriasis. J Drugs Dermatol. 2010;9(8 suppl):S101-S105.
- Wozel G. Psoriasis treatment in difficult locations: scalp, nails, and intertriginous areas. Clin Dermatol. 2008;26:448-459.
- Sampogna F, Linder D, Piaserico S, et al. Quality of life assessment of patients with scalp dermatitis using the Italian version of the Scalpdex. Acta Dermato-Venereologica. 2014;94:411-414.
- Crowley J. Scalp psoriasis: an overview of the disease and available therapies. J Drugs Dermatol. 2010;9:912-918.
- Shah VV, Lee EB, Reddy SP, et al. Scalp psoriasis with increased hair density. Cutis. 2018;102:63-64.
- George SM, Taylor MR, Farrant PB. Psoriatic alopecia. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2015;40:717-721.
- Shuster S. Psoriatic alopecia. Br J Dermatol. 1972;87:73-77.
- Wyatt E, Bottoms E, Comaish S. Abnormal hair shafts in psoriasis on scanning electron microscopy. Br J Dermatol. 1972;87:368-373.
- Schoorl WJ, van Baar HJ, van de Kerkhof PC. The hair root pattern in psoriasis of the scalp. Acta Derm Venereol. 1992;72:141-142.
- Blakely K, Gooderham M. Management of scalp psoriasis: current perspectives. Psoriasis (Auckl). 2016;6:33-40.
- Krueger G, Koo J, Lebwohl M, et al. The impact of psoriasis on quality of life: results of a 1998 National Psoriasis Foundation patient-membership survey. Arch Dermatol. 2001;137:280-284.
- Merola JF, Li T, Li WQ, et al. Prevalence of psoriasis phenotypes among men and women in the USA. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2016;41:486-489.
- Frez ML, Asawanonda P, Gunasekara C, et al. Recommendations for a patient-centered approach to the assessment and treatment of scalp psoriasis: a consensus statement from the Asia Scalp Psoriasis Study Group. J Dermatol Treat. 2014;25:38-45.
- van de Kerkhof PC, Franssen ME. Psoriasis of the scalp. diagnosis and management. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2001;2:159-165.
- Chan CS, Van Voorhees AS, Lebwohl MG, et al. Treatment of severe scalp psoriasis: from the Medical Board of the National Psoriasis Foundation. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2009;60:962-971.
- Aldredge LM, Higham RC. Manifestations and management of difficult-to-treat psoriasis. J Dermatol Nurses Assoc. 2018;10:189-197.
- Dopytalska K, Sobolewski P, Blaszczak A, et al. Psoriasis in special localizations. Reumatologia. 2018;56:392-398.
- Papp K, Berth-Jones J, Kragballe K, et al. Scalp psoriasis: a review of current topical treatment options. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2007;21:1151-1160.
- Kircik LH, Kumar S. Scalp psoriasis. J Drugs Dermatol. 2010;9(8 suppl):S101-S105.
- Wozel G. Psoriasis treatment in difficult locations: scalp, nails, and intertriginous areas. Clin Dermatol. 2008;26:448-459.
- Sampogna F, Linder D, Piaserico S, et al. Quality of life assessment of patients with scalp dermatitis using the Italian version of the Scalpdex. Acta Dermato-Venereologica. 2014;94:411-414.
- Crowley J. Scalp psoriasis: an overview of the disease and available therapies. J Drugs Dermatol. 2010;9:912-918.
- Shah VV, Lee EB, Reddy SP, et al. Scalp psoriasis with increased hair density. Cutis. 2018;102:63-64.
- George SM, Taylor MR, Farrant PB. Psoriatic alopecia. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2015;40:717-721.
- Shuster S. Psoriatic alopecia. Br J Dermatol. 1972;87:73-77.
- Wyatt E, Bottoms E, Comaish S. Abnormal hair shafts in psoriasis on scanning electron microscopy. Br J Dermatol. 1972;87:368-373.
- Schoorl WJ, van Baar HJ, van de Kerkhof PC. The hair root pattern in psoriasis of the scalp. Acta Derm Venereol. 1992;72:141-142.
The Case
A 19-year-old man initially presented for evaluation of a rash on the elbows and knees of 2 to 3 months’ duration. The lesions were asymptomatic. A review of symptoms including joint pain was largely negative. The patient’s medical history was remarkable for terminal ileitis, Crohn disease, anal fissure, rhabdomyolysis, and viral gastroenteritis. Physical examination revealed a well-nourished man with red, scaly, indurated papules and plaques involving approximately 0.5% of the body surface area. A diagnosis of plaque psoriasis was made.
Treatment
The patient was prescribed topical corticosteroids for 2 weeks and as needed thereafter.
Patient Outcomes
The patient remained stable for 5 years before again presenting to the dermatology clinic for psoriasis that had now spread to the scalp. Clinical examination revealed a very thin, faintly erythematous, scaly patch associated with increased hair density of the right frontal and parietal scalp (Figure). The patient denied any trauma or injury to the area or application of hair dye.
Clobetasol solution 0.05% twice daily was prescribed for application to the affected area of the scalp for 2 weeks, which resulted in minimal resolution of the psoriatic scalp lesion.
