Scalp psoriasis is an autoimmune condition. It causes raised, discolored plaques on your scalp or on the skin around your scalp that may be dry, itchy and irritating. Prescription and over-the-counter medications can alleviate your symptoms.
Seborrheic (seb-o-REE-ik) dermatitis is a common skin condition that mainly affects your scalp. It causes scaly patches, inflamed skin and stubborn dandruff. It usually affects oily areas of the body, such as the face, sides of the nose, eyebrows, ears, eyelids and chest.
They're not as common, but other conditions can cause head and scalp sores. They include viruses like chickenpox, and a group of rare autoimmune diseases called pemphigus, which happen when your immune system attacks healthy cells. A couple of other caused are lichen planus and cutaneous lupus.
Scabs on the scalp can emerge due to folliculitis, dermatitis, psoriasis or an allergic reaction to chemical products, like hair dye or or hair treatments. It is rare for scabs to form due to severe health conditions, like skin cancer.
“Discoid” refers to the round shape of the sores or lesions that develop. These are thick, raised, scaly patches that are often pink and may flake or form a crust on the surface of the skin. Lesions most often appear on the face, ears, scalp, neck, and hands.
The clinical presentation of scalp sarcoidosis consists of indurated verrucous plaques and nodular lesions, often accompanied by alopecia, and can resemble that of discoid lupus erythematosus, necrobiosis lipoidica, organoid nevus, and cicatricial alopecia.
Scalp Psoriasis. Scalp psoriasis is an autoimmune condition. It causes raised, discolored plaques on your scalp or on the skin around your scalp that may be dry, itchy and irritating. Prescription and over-the-counter medications can alleviate your symptoms.
Dermatillomania is a mental health condition where a person compulsively picks or scratches their skin, causing injuries or scarring. Also known as excoriation disorder or skin-picking disorder, this condition falls under the category of obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCDs).
It is advisable to contact a doctor about sores and scabs that do not resolve on their own, keep reoccurring, or are very painful or itchy. People should seek prompt medical attention if they suspect the scabs or sores may be infected.
The biggest difference between a scab and cancer comes down to its behavior. Cancerous skin lesions will cause recurring scabbing and never seem to heal properly. However, a non-cancerous scab will eventually heal and fade. It's also a good idea to try and remember if you ever had a cut or abrasion in that area.
The most common type of lupus, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), can cause dry, coarse hair to develop along the hairline. These dry, coarse hairs break off easily, causing the sparse-looking hair known as lupus hair. Other types of hair loss also develop.
Autoimmune encephalitis is a collection of related conditions in which the body's immune system attacks the brain, causing inflammation. The immune system produces substances called antibodies that mistakenly attack brain cells.
Vitamin D has anti-inflammatory properties, and inflammation in the scalp can contribute to hair loss. Adequate levels of vitamin D may help reduce inflammation in the hair follicles and scalp. Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium, which is important for hair structure and strength.
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that causes patchy hair loss anywhere on your body, but it most commonly affects the hair on the skin that covers your head (scalp). “Alopecia” is a medical term for hair loss or baldness, and “areata” means that it occurs in small, random areas.
Head scab affects wheat and other small grains and is most common in wheat crops planted after corn crops. Corn residue is a major source of the disease, which poses the biggest threat during high moisture conditions when the wheat head develops.
Actinic keratosis is usually found on the face, scalp, back of the hands, chest, or places that are often in the sun. The skin changes begin as flat and scaly areas. They often have a white or yellow crusty scale on top. The growths may be gray, pink, red, or the same color as your skin.
If you think any of your wounds are healing too slowly, or could be infected, see your doctor for treatment, as well as to rule out any more serious health issues that may need to be checked. And you should always speak with your physician before altering your medication regimen.
Plaque (plack) psoriasis
Patches of thick raised skin covered with silvery scale form. These patches usually appear on the scalp, elbows, knees, or lower back — but they can develop anywhere on the skin.
Excoriation Disorder
It is also known as dermatillomania. People with this condition will pick their skin to the point where it can cause bleeding or other damage to the skin.
A regular exfoliation will help lift away build up. Try using a pre-wash scalp brush, and your fingertips (but not your nails) to massage in your shampoo. This will further help to physically remove any lingering build up. A clarifying shampoo two or three times a month can work wonders.
Try not to scratch or pick at the affected area. This increases your risk of infection.
In alopecia areata, the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, causing inflammation. Researchers do not fully understand what causes the immune attack on hair follicles, but they believe that both genetic and environmental (non-genetic) factors play a role.
A discoid lupus rash typically appears on your face and scalp, but it can affect any part of your body. Discoid lesions on your scalp may cause temporary or permanent hair loss. A discoid lupus rash typically: Has circular, coin- or disk-shaped red patches that are thick and scaly.