You’ll need to see a dermatologist, but you can take these steps to check that you don’t have dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis instead.
Not sure if it’s psoriasis?
If your scalp is red, itchy, and flaking, it could be dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, or scalp psoriasis. How do you tell the difference?
Scalp psoriasis is much less common than dandruff – it affects only 3% of the population, so it’s important to start by ruling out dandruff before you go to a dermatologist.
First, try swapping your regular shampoo for a Head & Shoulders anti-dandruff shampoo.
If you have dandruff, it will tackle the problem and get rid of it¹.
Use it every time you wash your hair (ideally at least 3 times a week). If you suffer from dandruff, you should start to notice an improvement within the first week.
After two or three weeks, you should be completely free from visible flakes.
If you’ve tried this and are still experiencing problems…
The next step is to rule out seborrheic dermatitis, which is effectively a more severe form of dandruff.
The causes of seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff are the same, so if you have seborrheic dermatitis the anti-dandruff shampoo should have helped reduce flakes, but perhaps not as much as you’d hoped.
Still experiencing problems?
You may be suffering from scalp psoriasis.
Scalp psoriasis is a genetic condition with different causes to dandruff, so anti-dandruff shampoos, however effective, will not be enough. Over-the-counter shampoos containing coal tar or salicylic acid can help manage the flaking of psoriasis.
You will need to see a dermatologist who will advise you on the best method for treating your scalp psoriasis, and they may be able to recommend stronger prescription shampoos.
Find out more about scalp psoriasis
¹ visible flakes, with regular use
