WARNING: The Embarrassing Bodies website contains images of an explicit medical nature and nudity in a medical context.

Embarrassing Bodies, 2:05am Tuesday 7th February 2012 on Channel 4. Catch up for free on 4oD »

Conditions

Scalp Psoriasis

Scalp Psoriasis

Psoriasis affects around 3% of the UK’s population and involves the speeding up of the bodies usual mechanism for replacing skin. Scalp psoriasis involves thick scales and redness that appear around the scalp, normally becoming itchy and inflamed. Other symptoms include tightness and soreness around the head. The normal treatment options include shampoo that can be use at home, but severe scalp psoriasis normally has to be treated by a dermatologist, who may prescribe steroid creams or salicylic acid. Although the condition can return multiple times, it rarely lasts for long periods of time and more generally occurs in flare-ups.

If you think your child has psoriasis, check our condition guide for parents on Embarrassing Bodies: Kids website.

Comments and Questions

You can share your experiences and thoughts with other Embarrassing Bodies site-users below. Comments & Questions are reviewed by moderators, but if you see anything on the site that worries you, please report it and one of our moderators will look at it as soon as possible.
Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.

i have had this for years now and am starting to get very down with it as my head is so sore at times it even hurts to lay on my pillow at night, i have tried every lotion,cream,shampoo,gel, antibiotics, recently had intense course of antibiotics for 2 months but that did not work, then i was given a new gel that made it worse, currently on a 10 day course of antibiotics and can see no improvement. i actually feel like shaving all my hair off in hope to treat it better and if i did not hate my facial features so much (nose and chin) i prob would......please can someone help i am constantly to and thro doctors but they have never refered me to anyone that specialises in it.......as i am typing this my whole scalp is stinging from sores.....i am a desperate 35 yr old mum





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

I have had scalp psoriasis for 2 years now and it is getting rather emmbaressing as I have just moved to Sencondry school. I have tried all of the treatments that the doctor has prescribed and the first time it work then I try it again and it doesn't work it makes it worse and more painful.





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

Hi I have had scalp psoriasis for 5 years now and am fed up of it! Been to doctors and specialists but none of the treatments, ointments, creams and shampoos have worked! Recently watched this episode on the internet and was wondering where to go for the treatment? Thanks





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

I have had scalp psoriasis for many years which seems to be getting worse spreading and no treatment has ever worked. I watched an episode of embarrassing bodies when a lady had her scalp steamed then all the scales were combed out. Can you please let me know where I can get this done.and how i use it. Thank you





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

I have struggled for 20 years+ with this. Have had scalp steamed and 'scraped',- tried EVERY topical lotion going and nothing helps at all. Also tried various supplements etc. I was completely free for 2 years after chinese acupuncture and TCM, it was amazing, but you need to be patient as it takes 6 wks+ to start to see improvements and it's expensive, and the herbs are foul!

i have had this condition for many years and it is getting worse. i have seen the gp and dermatologist and nothing has helped. this is really getting me down.i have tired everything and anything but nothing helps. its worse in winter. please help





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

I have had scalp psoriasis for many years which seems to be getting worse spreading and no treatment has ever worked. I watched an episode of embarrassing bodies when a lady had her scalp steamed then all the scales were combed out. Can you please let me know where I can get this done. Thank you





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your answer.


Please don't swear or be rude in your answers, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting answers. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

Questions submitted to the site will be answered by other site users, not by medical professionals, so if you have a medical concern, please book an appointment with your GP.

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

hi i have had scalp psoriasis for 20 years i have had every treatment going now its at its worse please can any one help thank you





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

Scalpacin liquid works well on scalp areas. It is sold behind the counter at the pharmacy, but no Rx required. I use it on my 12 yr old daughters scalp.





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

I have had guttate and scalp psoriasis since I was 18 years old when I had a first flare up that lasted a couple of years and then another flare up last year from a strep throat (I am now 34), with the odd patch appearing on my stomach in between. I find dovobet is great for patches on the body and xamiol is good for the scalp. However, a natural relief from scalp psoriasis is organic virgin coconut oil (the nutiva brand on amazon is a nice one). Applied regularly (twice a week) is really keeps the psoriasis and the flaking in check. It does take a couple shampoos to get it out of the hair, but is most definitely worth it. I apply the oil before bed or of a weekend, leave it on all day. I am about to try treating with xamiol until the patches reduce then keep on with the organic virgin coconut oil and see if that keeps the patches away...it might just do the trick! I have also started taking extra high strength cod liver oil and also eat a high dose of the organic virgin coconut oil because psoriasis needs treating from the inside as well as the outside (see coconut cures by bruce fife). Let me know your thoughts!





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

Hi, I'm 26, I've had scalp psoriasis just above the nape of my neck for about 2 years now which drives me mad. It started about 6 months after I began my full-time trainee job (full time work with a uni course along side), which has been incredibly stress full. I presume it is this stress which has triggered it to appear!? Its really embarrassing going to the hair-dressers...you feel like they are cringing inside but not telling you. I might have to go see my doctor for this cream/shampoo people have mentioned on here. Good to know I'm not alone anyway (not that I'd wish this on anyone!)





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.



Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

It looks like no one else has asked this question, so please fill in the rest of your details below.





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your answer.



Please don't swear or be rude in your questions, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting questions. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

Questions submitted to the site will be answered by other site users, not by medical professionals, so if you have a medical concern, please book an appointment with your GP.

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines


Important Notice

The information provided on this website (including any NHS Choices medical information) is for use as information or for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. We do not warrant that any information included within this site will meet your health or medical requirements. This Embarrassing Bodies site does not provide any medical or diagnostic services so you should always check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.


If you want to embed our videos in your site, read our embedding T&Cs here


More Information

  1. Episode 2

    In Episodes - Conditions being seen by the doctors in Episode 2 included Psoriasi…

  2. Quick Health Advice: Male Hairloss

    In Videos - Dr Christian explains the causes of male hairloss and the treatment…

  3. Doctor Responses: Excessive Hair

    In Videos - Dr Pixie answers your most frequently asked questions about excessi…

  4. Quick Health Advice: Unwanted Facial Hair

    In Videos - Dr Harper explains the causes of unwanted facial hair and some of t…

  5. Doctor Responses: Penis

    In Videos - Dr Christian answers your most frequently asked questions about the…

  6. Quick Health Advice: Psoriasis

    In Videos - Dr Harper explains the causes of and treatments available for psor…

  7. Consultation: Psoriasis

    In Videos - Dr Dawn Harper examines a patient with psoriasis

  8. Bodies Behaving Badly

    In Episodes - Episode 1 of Embarrassing Teenage Bodies examines conditions includ…

  9. Episode 4 - Feet

    In Episodes - This week's episode includes a podiatry roadshow, a mouthful of man…

  10. Quick Health Advice: Piles

    In Videos - Dr Jessen passes on some advice about the causes of piles and the p…

  11. Quick Health Advice: Penis Spots

    In Videos - Dr Christian discusses how to check for penile spots and what warni…

  12. Quick Health Advice: Bad Breath

    In Videos - Dr McKenna gives out information on how to test for bad breath and…

  13. Body Check: Urine

    In Videos - Dr Christian talks about potential health problems that can be spot…

  14. Quick Health Advice: Excessive Sweating

    In Videos - Dr Pixie discusses the causes of excessive sweating and the treatme…

  15. Consultation: Second Adult Circumcision

    In Videos - Dr Jessen examines a patient in need of a new circumcision


Be On Embarrassing Bodies

The clinic is opening again for a new series.
Apply for Embarrassing Bodies >