Treating scalp psoriasis provides symptom relief for individuals dealing with this inconvenient and often painful condition. It is estimated that about half of the people diagnosed with psoriasis have it on their scalp. This type of psoriasis is caused by skin cells that grow too quickly, resulting in thick, powdery scales called plaques. This condition can cause mild to severe scaling, with crusting that can extend onto the forehead, nose, and around the ears. The newest treatments for treating scalp psoriasis relieve itching, flakes, and crusting around the head and face, and involve pill that are taken orally. Many patients see positive results within days or a few weeks! Called biologics, three of the newest treatments for scalp psoriasis are called Otezla, Xeljanz, and Xeljanx XR. Read more to discover how these treatments help with scalp psoriasis.
These medicines target specific parts of the immune system that cause the overactive inflammation in people with psoriasis. Biologics bind to proteins that cause inflammation, curb white blood cells, and block chemical messengers that mistakenly believe that something is wrong with the skin.
This medication inhibits inflammation on a cellular level by blocking the enzyme known as phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4). This medication is taken orally, and the recommended dose is 30 milligrams twice a day.
This medication inhibits the enzyme known as Janus kinase (JAK), which controls a lot of the inflammatory action in cells. This medication is taken as a 5 milligram tablet twice a day.
Like Xeljanz, this medication inhibits the enzyme known as Janus kinase (JAK), which controls a lot of the inflammatory action in cells. This medication is an 11 mg tablet taken once a day.
Common side effects of taking this medication include headache, upper respiratory infection, nausea, cold and flu-like symptoms, and diarrhea.
In clinical trials, biologics have been found to lower psoriasis symptoms by as much as 75%.
This type of medication can be expensive when compared with other scalp psoriasis treatment options. While biologics are safe for most people, they can increase the chances of cancer and infection.
These new medications to treat scalp psoriasis can be used with topical and phototherapy treatments, but patients need to tell their healthcare professionals when they are taking biologics.