Scalp psoriasis and dandruff are two common skin conditions that affect the skin of the head. While both can cause itchy, flaky skin, they have their differences. For instance, dandruff is a non-serious condition that around half the population of the United States reports having. Psoriasis is a chronic condition that is much rarer. If you’re wondering if you have one of these conditions, it’s essential to consider their differences. 

Appearance Differences

First, scalp psoriasis and dandruff look different from each other. While both can cause red irritation, people suffering from psoriasis tend to have scaly, silvery patches on their skin. These patches will often be visible under the hair, as they’ll almost look like fish scales. This scaly skin is incredibly uncomfortable, with itching, burning, and hair loss being some of the most common symptoms. While you can’t lose your hair directly from scalp psoriasis, constantly scratching and rubbing at the sore spots on your scalp will eventually lead to hair loss. 

Dandruff looks much different than scalp psoriasis. Rather than forming in silvery scales, dandruff will appear in small white flakes of dead skin. These flakes are easily disturbed, and will often fall out from brushing, styling, and adjustment of the hair. In extreme conditions, dandruff can also lead to hair loss, as repeated scratching and damage to the scalp prevent healthy hair from growing. While dandruff isn’t a serious medical condition, it can be inconvenient and embarrassing. If you feel like you may have either one of these conditions, talk to a doctor or dermatologist for further testing. 

Causes Of The Condition

Another large difference between psoriasis and dandruff is in their respective origins. While the exact cause of psoriasis is unknown, many doctors believe that it is an immune disorder. A small flaw in the immune system can cause inflammation in the skin, leading to an overproduction of faulty skin cells. These defective cells become the scaly patches that are stereotypical of psoriasis. One thing that medical researchers have found is that psoriasis seems to run in families. Because it’s an immune deficiency, this condition could be passed down genetically between family members. If one of your parents has psoriasis, talk to your doctor about diagnostic testing to see if you also have it. 

There are many known causes of dandruff. One of the most prevalent causes of this condition is a dry scalp. If you have sun damage or chemical damage from hair dyes, you may see an increase in dandruff. The more the skin on your scalp dries out, the easier it’ll be for it to crack and flake away. Dandruff can also be caused by improper shampooing. When you shower, make sure you thoroughly wash your scalp to get any dead skin cells and harmful oils away from your skin. When these materials build up on the surface of your skin, it can cause irritation that leads to dandruff. While some of these issues are unavoidable, taking care to wash your hair properly can help lower your risk of these conditions. 

Treatment Options

Fortunately, both of these conditions are treatable. Because psoriasis is an immune disorder, the majority of the treatments will be done with a doctor’s help. Nowadays, there are many medications and oils that are designed to reduce the symptoms of scalp psoriasis without causing latent side effects. Many topical corticosteroids have proven to be highly effective in treating scalp psoriasis, most of which can be found in your local drug store. If you got diagnosed with psoriasis, there’s no need to worry. You have plenty of treatment options.

Treating dandruff can be a bit of a trial and error process, as there are so many causes for the condition. One of the best forms of treatment is hydrating shampoo and a scalp massager. By massaging your scalp in the shower, you can rid yourself of any dry and damaged skin and allow the hydrating product to soothe the irritated area. In addition to keeping your scalp moisturized, taking vitamins such as biotin and collagen can help improve your skin’s overall health, leading to a decrease in dandruff. Taking care of your scalp can help reduce the symptoms of dandruff and irritation to your scalp. 

Overall, these two conditions are drastically different, but both can be treated. If you feel like you may have either psoriasis or dandruff, don’t be afraid to talk to a doctor or dermatologist for clarification and treatment options. 

What Are the Differences Between Psoriasis and Dandruff?

Scalp psoriasis and dandruff are two common skin conditions that affect the skin of the head. While both can cause itchy, flaky skin, they have their differences. For instance, dandruff is a non-serious condition that around half the population of the United States reports having. Psoriasis is a chronic condition that is much rarer. If you’re wondering if you have one of these conditions, it’s essential to consider their differences. 

Appearance Differences

First, scalp psoriasis and dandruff look different from each other. While both can cause red irritation, people suffering from psoriasis tend to have scaly, silvery patches on their skin. These patches will often be visible under the hair, as they’ll almost look like fish scales. This scaly skin is incredibly uncomfortable, with itching, burning, and hair loss being some of the most common symptoms. While you can’t lose your hair directly from scalp psoriasis, constantly scratching and rubbing at the sore spots on your scalp will eventually lead to hair loss. 

Dandruff looks much different than scalp psoriasis. Rather than forming in silvery scales, dandruff will appear in small white flakes of dead skin. These flakes are easily disturbed, and will often fall out from brushing, styling, and adjustment of the hair. In extreme conditions, dandruff can also lead to hair loss, as repeated scratching and damage to the scalp prevent healthy hair from growing. While dandruff isn’t a serious medical condition, it can be inconvenient and embarrassing. If you feel like you may have either one of these conditions, talk to a doctor or dermatologist for further testing. 

Causes Of The Condition

Another large difference between psoriasis and dandruff is in their respective origins. While the exact cause of psoriasis is unknown, many doctors believe that it is an immune disorder. A small flaw in the immune system can cause inflammation in the skin, leading to an overproduction of faulty skin cells. These defective cells become the scaly patches that are stereotypical of psoriasis. One thing that medical researchers have found is that psoriasis seems to run in families. Because it’s an immune deficiency, this condition could be passed down genetically between family members. If one of your parents has psoriasis, talk to your doctor about diagnostic testing to see if you also have it. 

There are many known causes of dandruff. One of the most prevalent causes of this condition is a dry scalp. If you have sun damage or chemical damage from hair dyes, you may see an increase in dandruff. The more the skin on your scalp dries out, the easier it’ll be for it to crack and flake away. Dandruff can also be caused by improper shampooing. When you shower, make sure you thoroughly wash your scalp to get any dead skin cells and harmful oils away from your skin. When these materials build up on the surface of your skin, it can cause irritation that leads to dandruff. While some of these issues are unavoidable, taking care to wash your hair properly can help lower your risk of these conditions. 

Treatment Options

Fortunately, both of these conditions are treatable. Because psoriasis is an immune disorder, the majority of the treatments will be done with a doctor’s help. Nowadays, there are many medications and oils that are designed to reduce the symptoms of scalp psoriasis without causing latent side effects. Many topical corticosteroids have proven to be highly effective in treating scalp psoriasis, most of which can be found in your local drug store. If you got diagnosed with psoriasis, there’s no need to worry. You have plenty of treatment options.

Treating dandruff can be a bit of a trial and error process, as there are so many causes for the condition. One of the best forms of treatment is hydrating shampoo and a scalp massager. By massaging your scalp in the shower, you can rid yourself of any dry and damaged skin and allow the hydrating product to soothe the irritated area. In addition to keeping your scalp moisturized, taking vitamins such as biotin and collagen can help improve your skin’s overall health, leading to a decrease in dandruff. Taking care of your scalp can help reduce the symptoms of dandruff and irritation to your scalp. 

Overall, these two conditions are drastically different, but both can be treated. If you feel like you may have either psoriasis or dandruff, don’t be afraid to talk to a doctor or dermatologist for clarification and treatment options.