If your scalp is itchy, flaky, and irritable due to psoriasis, here’s some much-needed help from a dermatologist.

You know how sometimes your scalp just breaks into a terrible type of dandruff that you just cannot seem to bring under control? Perhaps, it goes on to become itchy, scaly, or even painful, where the skin from your scalp literally starts peeling off due to dryness, giving all your t-shirts a full-fledged snow-fall feel.

You probably know it in your heart that this problem is way more serious than dandruff, but you just can’t seem to figure out what it is. Well, here’s some clarity on the matter: The flakiness, itchiness, and irritation on the scalp could be a result of a condition known as scalp psoriasis. 

“Psoriasis is an immune-mediated, genetically-determined skin condition which can affect skin, scalp, nails, and joints. When it involves the scalp, we call it scalp psoriasis. It is characterised by thick purple-red plaques with white scaling on them commonly described by patients as excessive dandruff,” says Dr. Bhawna Bhuraria, consultant dermatologist, Kaya Skin Clinic, Gurgaon.

“It can affect any age group but is most common in young adults and can get aggravated by factors like throat infection, selected medications, fever, variety of emotional and physical stress, diabetes, hypertension, obesity,” she adds.

While a lifestyle change involving healthy eating habits and regular exercise along with professional treatment prescribed by an expert is the best way to combat this problem, these home remedies for scalp psoraisis recommended by Bhuraria can help you a great deal as well. Check ‘em out:

1. Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil has antifungal and antibiotic properties. It also helps in the removal of scales or flakes caused due to dryness of the scalp. You can thus, mix a few drops of tea tree oil with a base oil like coconut or olive oil and massage it into your scalp. Leave it on for 10 minutes before washing it out with a mild shampoo.

2. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is known for its anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties that can help reduce skin irritation. Hence, apply aloe vera gel topically on the scalp, leave it on for 15 minutes, and then wash it off with a mild shampoo for a softer, well-nourished scalp.

3. Yogurt
Yogurt has soothing properties and can also be used as an exfoliating agent and help you get rid of the dead skin and flakes on the scalp that can prevent it from breathing. So, mix 2-3 tablespoons of plain yoghurt into a mashed banana or with an egg, massage it into your hair and scalp, leave it on for 15 minutes before washing it out thoroughly, again, using a mild shampoo that suits you.

4. Apple cider vinegar
According to several studies including the one published in the journal Science Reports, apple cider vinegar possesses anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. It can, thus, help you get rid of the flakes and any fungal or bacterial accumulation on the scalp.

You can try this remedy if your scalp psoriasis hasn’t gone out of whack because apple cider vinegar can sometimes backfire and spark off irritation in the scalp as well. The best way to use it is to dilute it in almost 3-4 parts of water and rinse your scalp with it after shampooing, followed by washing it off with water.