Dandruff & Psoriasis

There are lots of anti-dandruff shampoos to choose from, and you may find one will work better than the other.

This is because they contain different ingredients, so it’s important to find the one right for you.

Some of the key ingredients in anti-dandruff shampoo include pyrithione zinc, coal tar, salicylic acid and ketoconazole. 

When you’re next shopping for anti-dandruff shampoo, bear these ingredients in mind - but if you’re still unsure, speak to a doctor or pharmacist for advice.

There are lots of different causes of dandruff, and they can differ depending on the type of dandruff you have.

For example, it could be caused by a dry skin condition like eczema, dermatitis, or psoriasis, or you could get dandruff as a result of a fungal infection like ringworm.

In babies, cradle cap is a common cause of dry, crusty skin on the scalp, which can easily be mistaken for dandruff.

Both dandruff and scalp psoriasis can cause dryness, itchiness, and a flaky scalp, so you should see your doctor if you’re not sure what you’re dealing with.

The difference with scalp psoriasis, compared to dandruff, is that it’s long-lasting (chronic), more scaly than flaky, and it can spread past your hairline to your forehead or the back of your neck.

Dandruff is a harmless skin condition, whereas scalp psoriasis is an autoimmune disease caused by white blood cells attacking your skin cells.

Scalp psoriasis is a common condition that causes raised, red, scaly patches on the scalp, forehead or the back of the neck.

Symptoms include red patches, silvery scales, dandruff-like flaking, itching, dryness, burning, pain and hair loss.