Psoriasis Shampoo

Coal tar is actually an industrial byproduct that when mixed with the right chemicals, turns into an effective psoriasis shampoo. What exactly makes up coal tar is actually unknown as only 400 of the 10,000 different compounds that make up coal tar have been identified. Colored black or dark brown, coal tar is highly viscous and unfortunately not pleasant to smell as the name would imply. However, its ability to treat scalp skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, and dandruff has turned it into a popular treatment.

Like dandruff and seborrhea, psoriasis of the scalp carries similar symptoms including flaky skin, scaly skin plaques, and irritating lesions. The head can become itchy and even orange-red like pink salmon meat. The problem is compounded with these skin problems because regular shampoo does not work well to clean the skin and in some cases can even cause more irritation (like dry scalp). Traditional shampoo is formulated to clean hair follicles and for this reason does not work well for scalp conditions like psoriasis.

This is where coal tar shampoos come in. Coal tar packs a triple punch when it comes to treating skin disorders. Firstly, coal tar is a keratolytic and is therefore able to loosen and soften skin buildup of scales and crusts. The compounds’ effect on skin is the ability to diminish keratin growth and reduce scaling. It is also effective at stopping fungal and bacterial growths which, in additional to inflammation, are also known to cause psoriasis. Finally, coal tar has antipruritic properties that serve to alleviate itchiness and offer relief to users.

Coal tar shampoo is available without prescription in many OTC shampoos that you can buy at any drug store or online. Popular brands include Denorex, Zetar, and Pentrax. Be sure to read the shampoo bottle before application and protect your eyes, ears, and mouth. You will ideally want to keep the shampoo in your hair for five to ten minutes to give it time to set in and then you can rinse it away. You may also need to use a second application. After that, it’s important to go through with a regular hair washing using normal shampoo and conditioner as psoriasis shampoos do not clean hair, just the scalp. Usually only a couple treatments a week are required.

After using the shampoo, be sure to stay out of direct sunlight as coal tar is known to cause increased sensitivity to the sun. Other side effects can also include burning, sensitive skin, redness, and itching. These are considered mild alternatives to more medicated shampoos. As far as psoriasis shampoos go, coal tar is always the first and safest treatment to try before advancing to subscription creams or even oral medication from your doctor. Shampoo is much cleaner than a heavy or greasy ointment and has less severe side effects than oral medicine.

Coal tar has been used for decades to treat common skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, and dandruff. Though it has an industrial origin, its natural properties make it particularly well-suited for the skin. It is widely available, safe, and a relatively low-cost hassle-free treatment to combat scalp psoriasis.

For those who suffer from the irritating skin condition known as psoriasis, about half will have some form of psoriasis of the scalp. Treatments for scalp psoriasis include ointments, liquids, foams, thick creams, and of course a good psoriasis shampoo. Shampoos are a very popular method of treatment for the scaly red lesions that develop on the scalp as a result of psoriasis. In terms of topical treatments, shampoos offer a clean and convenient method of application since hair washing is a common part of regular hygiene. Other topical treatments like heavy creams or ointments can be greasy and messy, leaving hair with an unhealthy look. Oral medications for psoriasis treatment can be effective but come at the risk of dangerous or unwanted side effects. For these reasons, psoriasis shampoos are heavily favored over other alternative treatments.

The magic ingredients in a shampoo clinically designed for psoriasis will target the skin scales on top of the head. By softening and then loosening these spots, they are more effectively washed away. Shampoos can be split into two main categories: coal tar and medicated. Coal tar shampoo for psoriasis uses coal tar, which is derived from coal, to perform its job. On the other hand, medicated shampoos use active ingredients like ketoconazole, salicylic acid, and zinc pyrithione. These ingredients are all known to treat common skin ailments.

Knowing how to properly apply a psoriasis shampoo will make huge improvements in the treatment’s effectiveness. Be liberal with portions and start by gently massaging the shampoo into the scalp and avoid irritating any active lesions. Make circular motions with the hands to really drive in the product and take good care to do so during this initial step. If the fingernails are long, make sure they are trimmed to avoid aggravating the skin. After massaging the shampoo it is critically important to leave the foam in the hair for at least five to ten minutes, or as otherwise directed on the bottle. Then rinse the shampoo thoroughly from the hair and scalp with water.

Since psoriasis shampoo is designed specifically to treat the skin and not the hair, be sure not to forget a regular shampoo and conditioner washing cycle immediately following application. This will also help to cover up the strong smell from a psoriasis shampoo. As more over-the-counter shampoo treatments have crowded the market, some have evolved into pleasantly smelling shampoos in order to stand out next to competitors. Going through a variety of psoriasis shampoos is common and even advised and as each shampoo contains different active ingredients in different concentrations. For example, shampoos with salicylic acid share the same active ingredient as many acne creams, while a shampoo using ketoconazole takes an anti-fungal approach to treating psoriasis.

Depending on the severity of the scalp psoriasis, it may be necessary to use the shampoo daily. This may also depend on the concentration or prescription, if it is doctor prescribed. Though the side effects are not as severe as oral medications, using a psoriasis shampoo frequently over a long period of time is known to irritate the scalp. Once the lesions subside after frequent use, reduce the usage slowly until the psoriasis is manageable or gone.