If scalp psoriasis leaves you scratching your head (or fighting the urge to itch), you’re in good company: According to the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF), about half of the 7.5 million Americans with psoriasis have it on their scalp.
But good news: There are more treatment options than ever. “We now have so many fantastic ways to treat scalp psoriasis,” says Melodie Young, a nurse practitioner who specializes in chronic skin disease at Mindful Dermatology in Dallas. Options range from topical steroids and medicated shampoos for mild or moderate psoriasis to injectable biologics for severe cases.
In addition to prescription medications, there are home remedies for scalp psoriasis. These natural remedies may provide a measure of relief or even cure scalp psoriasis permanently, particularly if your symptoms are mild. Below are five that may help you thwart flaking, itchiness, or burning caused by scalp psoriasis.
Always check with your dermatologist before trying any home remedy, even the natural kind, to make sure it’s safe for you. You’ll also want to perform a patch test to make sure you don’t have an allergy: Apply the treatment to a small area of skin such as the inside of your forearm, cover with a bandage, then check over the next few days for a rash or other sign of trouble.
Olive Oil Loosens Flakes
Olive oil, a central part of the super-healthy Mediterranean diet, is also a boon for people with scalp psoriasis because it reduces flakiness, says Soheil Simzar, MD, a dermatologist in Santa Clarita, California, and clinical instructor of dermatology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California in Los Angeles.
Simply massage 1 or 2 tablespoons of oil directly into the scalp. Depending on the severity of the psoriasis, you can leave the oil on anywhere from 10 minutes to overnight. (Wear a shower cap to keep your pillowcase clean.)
Use a fine-toothed comb to gently remove the loosened scales, then rinse.
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Apple Cider Vinegar Can Relieve Itchiness
Thanks to its antibacterial properties, apple cider vinegar can ease the irritation of everything from bug bites to blisters. It also makes a great scalp psoriasis treatment, helping to relieve an itchy scalp and remove psoriasis scales.
Prepare a mixture of 1 to 2 parts water and 1 part vinegar, then saturate your scalp several times a week for 10 minutes.
Use a comb to gently remove scales, then shampoo and rinse as usual.
This home remedy is not for everyone: Do not try this treatment if your scalp is cracked or bleeding, Dr. Simzar warns.
Oatmeal Helps Fight Inflammation
Oatmeal isn’t just a great breakfast option — it’s a major skin soother. An oatmeal bath is a popular at-home treatment for alleviating the itch and pain of rashes caused by poison ivy, chicken pox, and sunburn.
Oatmeal can also help with inflammation associated with scalp psoriasis, says Jennifer Burns, NMD, a naturopathic doctor and founder of the Burns Integrative Wellness Center in Phoenix.
Mix uncooked oatmeal with water, adding a few drops of olive oil. Smooth the paste on your scalp and leave it on for at least 10 minutes. Rinse, shampoo, then condition.
Dead Sea Salts Soften Scales
Dead Sea salts are legendarily therapeutic. The ingredient is recommended by the NPF for helping remove scalp psoriasis scales and soothing itch.
For a DIY scalp psoriasis treatment, combine Dead Sea salts or Epsom salts (either the finely grained or slightly coarse kind) with olive or coconut oil. Gently rub a small amount of this paste into your scalp anywhere from once a week to once a day, depending on psoriasis severity, then rinse, recommends Dr. Burns.
Store any leftover scrub in an airtight container for future use.
Tea Tree Oil Keeps the Scalp Infection-Free
Tea tree oil, an essential oil distilled from the leaves of a plant native to Australia, has antibacterial and antifungal properties. It can help keep the scalp free of infection resulting from scratching.
Combine 1 part tea tree oil to 10 parts olive oil, then dab onto areas of scalp psoriasis with a cotton ball. Leave the mixture on for five minutes before rinsing.
Be sure to do a patch test first, as allergies to tree tree oil are not uncommon: Apply a small amount of the tea tree oil to the inside of your forearm, then watch for a day or two to make sure the skin doesn’t react.
Additional reporting by Beth W. Orenstein.
- Scalp Psoriasis. National Psoriasis Foundation. October 28, 2022.
- Over-the-Counter Topicals. National Psoriasis Foundation. March 27, 2023.
Mohiba Tareen, MD
Medical Reviewer
Mohiba Tareen, MD, is a nationally acclaimed board-certified dermatologist. She practices medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology at her Minnesota medical practice, Tareen Dermatology. Dr. Tareen takes joy in providing comprehensive dermatologic care to the entire family — from acne, to skin cancer, hair loss, and anti-aging, she provides her expertise to patients at all stages of their lives. Cosmetically, Tareen believes in subtle and natural aesthetic enhancements.
Personally, she is proud of her husband, a fellow caring physician, and her active brood of five children.
Mikel Theobald
Author
Mikel Theobald is an Indianapolis-based freelance writer who covers a wide range of topics, including early childhood education, home and family, Olympic sports, nutrition, fitness, and health. Her work has appeared in consumer and professional publications such as HealthDay, AOL, Huffington Post, Livestrong, and others.
Her favorite aspect of health writing is providing information to readers that helps them confidently advocate for their health and well-being. She helps readers sort through the complexities of important topics so they walk away with a deeper understanding of the information.
When she isn’t spending time with her family or meeting a writing deadline, you can often find Theobald volunteering for child advocacy organizations. She is the proud mother of 3 humans, 2 dogs, and 1 cat. She loves good books, live music, and Broadway musicals.