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20 Remedies for Scalp Psoriasis Itch and Irritation
Home remedies can sometimes soothe scalp psoriasis, an autoimmune, inflammatory condition marked by itching, irritation, and flaky, scaly skin.
Still, research on the safety and effectiveness of home remedies for scalp psoriasis is limited, and prescription medication may be what you really need.
“While you might try one of these home treatments alone for mild disease, it is best to use them alongside medical management for more moderate or severe disease,” says dermatologist Victoria Barbosa MD, MPH, associate professor at University of Chicago Medicine.
Always talk to your doctor before trying any new treatment, even a home remedy or over-the-counter product, and be sure to do a patch test first to ensure you’re not allergic and won’t experience negative side effects.
1. Olive Oil
Emollients can also increase the effectiveness of scalp psoriasis treatments, such as topical steroids, by making it easier for the medicine to penetrate the skin.
To use olive oil:
- Massage the oil into your scalp, trying to avoid your hair.
- Wrap your head in a towel, shower cap, or plastic cling wrap and leave the oil on the scalp for 30 to 60 minutes.
- Wash out the oil with shampoo.
- Massage or use a fine tooth comb flat against your scalp to very gently loosen skin flakes. (Vigorous scraping can cause a flare.)
- Comb out the flakes and wash your hair.
2. Coconut Oil
Like olive oil, coconut oil can soften skin flakes and help skin retain moisture. It also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Some research suggests extra virgin coconut oil may improve psoriasis lesions, without problematic side effects.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has antifungal, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties, and studies have shown it can help heal certain skin infections.
Research hasn’t shown that apple cider cider vinegar can help scalp psoriasis, but it could be worth trying, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation.
To use it:
- Choose organic apple cider vinegar, widely available at grocery stores.
- Apply directly to the scalp or, if it causes a burning sensation, dilute it one-to-one with water.
- When the vinegar dries, rinse your scalp.
Note that vinegar can sometimes burn skin and may not be safe to use, especially if you have diabetes. Never apply it to wounds or broken skin.
4. Oatmeal
Colloidal oatmeal (oatmeal that is finely ground into a powder) has approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a safe and effective over-the-counter remedy for itchy skin, with some research showing it can help ease symptoms of scalp psoriasis.
Colloidal oatmeal products you can buy at the drugstore for scalp psoriasis include creams, lotions, and shampoos.
Alternatively, you can try making your own colloidal oatmeal paste with water and apply it to your scalp:
5. Salt and Epsom Baths
Salt on the skin seems to encourage wound healing and may support hydration. Some people use it to soothe scalp psoriasis.
In a study published in 2022, 18 people with psoriasis participated in a treatment called Dead Sea climatotherapy. This involved intensive sun exposure and bathing in the Dead Sea, which is high in mineral salts.
Afterwards, participants had significantly less inflammation, at least in the short term. (Obviously not everyone can get to the Dead Sea, and intense sun exposure is never recommended due to skin cancer risk.)
Other research combined indoor salt baths with controlled exposure to artificial ultraviolet B (UVB) light for a safer option, but the results were inconclusive.
To give this home remedy a try, soak your scalp for about 15 minutes in a bath of warm water with Epsom or Dead Sea salts or even table salt; moisturize afterwards.
6. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that may make it suitable for treating psoriasis, although more studies are needed.
Shampoos and creams containing tea tree oil may help soothe scalp pain and irritation.
Be sure to do a patch test before trying this treatment, as tea tree oil allergies are not uncommon. Never apply undiluted tea tree oil directly to skin. Always dilute with a light “carrier” oil like avocado, argan, or jojoba, at a ratio of 1 part tea tree oil to 10 parts carrier oil.
7. Capsaicin
Capsaicin is the compound that makes chili peppers spicy. Over-the-counter creams and ointments containing capsaicin may help relieve itching due to scalp psoriasis.
Capsaicin works by blocking nerve endings that transmit pain. It also has anti-inflammatory properties.
More research is needed to show that capsaicin is safe and effective.
If you use any products containing capsaicin, be sure to do a patch test first. It can cause a burning sensation where you apply it.
8. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a promising remedy for psoriasis, although its benefits haven’t yet been scientifically confirmed. Aloe gel contains active ingredients that fight microbes, reduce inflammation, and break down skin plaques.
“Aloe vera may play a role in soothing inflamed skin,” says Aleta Simmons MD, a board-certified dermatologist and member of the Skin of Color Society who runs the Simmons Skin Center in Nashville, Tennessee, noting that more research is needed.
Aloe vera creams and ointments are available over the counter. Look for those containing 0.5 percent aloe and apply it directly to the skin up to three times a day.
9. Mahonia Aquifolium (Oregon Grape or Barberry Bark)
Mahonia is an herb containing berberine, which has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Scientists say it shows promise for treating psoriasis.
Creams containing 10 percent mahonia bark can provide relief from mild to moderate psoriasis, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation.
10. Turmeric
Applying turmeric products to the scalp may help manage psoriasis, some research suggests. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties that can improve how the immune system works.
In a study published in 2018, people with scalp psoriasis who used a turmeric tonic twice daily for nine weeks saw improvements in discoloration, scaling, and depth of lesions.
In a study published in 2023, scientists made a paste combining turmeric and tea tree oil. As well as combining the benefits of both substances, the paste offered emollient properties that could also make it easier for its active ingredients to enter the skin.
11. Peppermint Oil
There’s some evidence that peppermint oil could be helpful for wound healing, and mouse studies have suggested it might help manage psoriasis. However, more studies are needed to confirm that peppermint oil treatments are safe and effective for humans.
Always check with a doctor before using essential oils as it can be risky to apply these oils to your skin. You’ll likely need to dilute any oil first with a neutral “carrier” oil, such as almond oil. Don’t forget to do a patch test, too.
12. Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Some people turn to omega-3 fatty acids, present in fish oil, for psoriasis and other skin conditions, as it has anti-inflammatory properties.
However, you’d need to get this through diet or supplements. It’s not a topical application (meaning you wouldn’t apply it directly to skin) and it won’t bring instant relief.
Dietary sources of omega-3 include:
- Oily fish, such as sardines
- Flaxseed and flaxseed oil
- Chia seeds
- Walnuts
You can also get omega 3 in fish oil supplements, but check with your doctor before using. Note that the FDA does not evaluate supplements for safety or effectiveness.
13. Neem Oil
People in India have long used neem oil for health purposes, including applying a neem oil paste to areas of psoriasis.
But research on neem oil for this purpose is very limited. In one small study, 45 people who took neem oil capsules found it “useful” for managing psoriasis, possibly due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
14. Sunlight and Phototherapy
Sunlight can help manage psoriasis, but too much sun exposure can increase your risk of sunburn and skin cancer.
Ask your doctor how much sun exposure is healthy for you, and what protection you need while in the sun. If you have thick hair, sunlight might not be worth trying at all, as the rays won’t make it to your scalp.
Or, you can ask about light therapy such as phototherapy or excimer laser therapy. In phototherapy, a qualified professional will expose your scalp to safe levels of ultraviolet B (UVB) light. Excimer laser therapy uses laser beams to deliver UVB light.
15. Vitamin D
People with psoriasis often have lower vitamin D levels than those without. In the past, doctors have commonly prescribed vitamin D supplements for psoriasis.
However, experts don’t really understand the link between vitamin D and psoriasis, and it’s not clear if vitamin D supplementation makes a difference to symptoms.
Still, boosting vitamin D levels can benefit your overall health.
Ways of doing this without supplements include:
- Including oily fish in your diet
- Eating fortified dairy products and cereals
- Safe sun exposure, as the UVB rays in sunlight enable your body to make vitamin D
Ask your doctor before taking supplements or increasing your sun exposure, however. Too much sun can increase your risk of skin cancer.
Vitamin D is also available in a synthetic form known as calcipotriene. It helps treat psoriasis by changing the way your body makes skin cells.
Calcipotriene comes as a cream, solution, ointment or foam that you apply to your scalp before bedtime.
16. Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that seems to improve psoriasis symptoms, although how it works is unclear.
Two ways of getting vitamin E are through diet and topical applications.
Dietary sources include:
- Nuts
- Spinach
- Whole grains
- Olive oil
- Sunflower oil
Vitamin E supplements have also shown promise for improving psoriasis symptoms.
However, more research is needed to prove vitamin E products are worth using.
17. Coal Tar
Coal tar reduces inflammation and itching. It comes in soaps, lotions, shampoos, and other over-the-counter remedies.
Ask your doctor if coal tar is suitable for you and, if so, which form.
Note that coal tar can cause a burning sensation in some people, and it may not be suitable for children. Always do a patch test first.
18. Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid comes in various over-the-counter forms. It breaks down the outer levels of skin and can reduce the thickness of psoriasis plaques, helping relieve symptoms.
As with coal tar, salicylic acid can cause skin discomfort. Check with your doctor before using products containing salicylic acid, and do a patch test first.
19. Medicated Shampoos
Medicated shampoos for scalp psoriasis often include clobetasol propionate or coal tar.
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) notes that you can use clobetasol propionate for up to four weeks to help get a flare under control and then once or twice a week for maintenance.
To prevent hair loss when using these shampoos, the AAD recommends:
- Alternating between medicated and nonmedicated shampoos to avoid drying out your hair
- Letting your hair dry naturally rather than blow drying
- Using a conditioner after every wash
- Patch testing any new hair products before using
How Often Should You Wash Your Hair When You Have Scalp Psoriasis?
There’s no specific recommendation for how often to wash your hair if you have scalp psoriasis.
Dr. Barbosa says, “How frequently each person should shampoo varies and depends on several factors, including how much sebum your hair produces, how much scale you are experiencing, and how curly your hair is, with a range of anywhere from every day to every two weeks being reasonable.”
20. Diet and Lifestyle Choices
Diet
A varied and nutritious diet may help prevent inflammation, a key symptom of psoriasis.
Barbosa recommends an anti-inflammatory diet. “While diet does not cause psoriasis, it might contribute to a flare,” she says. In conjunction with any needed medication, you might want to try minimizing processed foods and sugar and focusing more on plant-based foods such as vegetables, fruits, beans, and nuts.
Lifestyle
“Quitting smoking, managing stress and weight, and decreasing alcohol consumption can all reap numerous health benefits, as can increasing exercise,” Barbosa says.
Walking, swimming, and yoga are some ways to get started with exercise.
Regarding swimming, Barbosa notes that while you can swim in a pool with scalp psoriasis, “You do have to be careful … because the chlorine can be drying to the scalp and can exacerbate the condition.”
To reduce this risk, she advises wearing a swim cap, keeping swim time brief, and rinsing chlorine from your hair and scalp immediately.
In Barbosa’s view, “Taking a dip in the ocean is a better choice than swimming in a pool because the salt water can help to decrease irritation and flaking and hence can improve the psoriasis.”
Here’s a recap of tips to help manage or reduce the discomfort of scalp psoriasis:
- Wash your hair gently, without scrubbing.
- Use warm water, not hot.
- Be gentle when loosening and removing scale.
- Keep your nails short to stop harsh scratching.
- Cover your ears before applying treatment to the scalp.
- Make central and side partings to your hair to apply treatment.
- Lift your hair up and away when applying treatments to reach the scalp more easily.
- Ask your doctor how to treat scalp psoriasis in the morning and evening, as the approaches may differ.
- Ask your doctor before trying any new treatment and follow all their instructions.
- Do a patch test before trying any new substance.
- Apply an emollient or other softening agent before applying medication, so the skin absorbs it more effectively.
- Wash your hands after applying medication.
Home remedies can help with mild symptoms, but more severe symptoms may require medication.
Seek medical advice if your symptoms:
- Are severe or worsening.
- Are causing you pain or discomfort.
- Are affecting your overall well-being, quality of life, or both.
- Aren’t responding to treatment.
As well as stronger versions of over-the-counter remedies, your doctor can prescribe biologics and other oral medications that target your immune system to manage psoriasis symptoms.
Scalp psoriasis is more than an annoyance; it is an autoimmune inflammatory disease that can increase the risk of other serious conditions such as heart disease, Dr. Simmons notes — making it vital to get timely diagnosis and the right treatment.
- Home remedies for soothing scalp psoriasis include olive oil, coconut oil, and colloidal oatmeal.
- Other therapies may help, such as aloe vera, but they aren’t supported by research and may have adverse effects.
- Speak with your doctor before trying a new remedy or if your symptoms get worse. You may need prescription medication.
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