Scalp Psoriasis: Among the Many Causes of a Red Scaly Scalp

Scalp Psoriasis as a Cause of a Red Scaly Scalp

Diagnosing hair loss is like detective work. A detective solves mysteries by putting all the pieces of the puzzle together. The same is true for hair loss. A hair specialists comes to understand what diseases fit with certain descriptions and what diseases just don’t. What are the top 20 causes of a red scalp? What if we limit this question to asking about the top causes of a red scalp that bleeds? ... or a red scalp associated with rashes elsewhere on the body? or a red scalp associated with increased daily hair shedding? A specialist must always be able to scribble down a list of suspects and then figure out the actual cause.

This photo below shows a red scalp that is flaky and mildly itchy. It bleeds from time to time. Scalp psoriasis is a top cause but issues like seborrheic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, scarring alopecias and skin cancers must be kept in mind. If a certain disease is suspected but fails to actual respond to the treatment as one hoped it would ... a scalp biopsy should be taken.