Scalp Psoriasis

ABSTRACT

Psoriasis afflicts 1-3% of the general population^1,2 and affects the scalp in about 40% of those suffering from the disease.³ In some patients, the scalp is the only site affected.⁴ In long-standing scalp psoriasis, hair thinning does occur.⁵ For the patient, scalp psoriasis is itchy and uncomfortable, and cosmetically disturbing because of shedding of scales. It is difficult to manage⁶ because treatment is unpleasant, generally produces indifferent results, only partial control and relapse rates are high.⁵ Patient compliance is often poor as currently available medications are often greasy, sticky, odorous, can cause changes in hair color, are difficult to apply, require frequent application, and are expensive.

Key Words:
Coal Tar, Anthralin, Scalp Psoriasis, Corticosteroids, Calcipotriol, calcipotriene, PUVA

Treatment

Psoriasis of the scalp is often a therapeutic challenge. Topical treatment is the favourite treatment approach – systemic treatment is not as effective.⁷ The vehicles for topical scalp preparations are usually clear gels or lotions suitable for easy application and subsequent removal by the patient.⁸

Traditional Preparations of Coal Tar or Anthralin

Tar preparations are disagreeable to use, and both coal tar and anthralin preparations stain. Crude coal tar (2-5%), with 5-10% salicylic acid incorporated in petrolatum, is very messy, but can be useful for treating in-patients’ recalcitrant psoriasis. Purified tar preparations are more suitable for treating out-patients. Note that some patients may require treatment each week for up to two months. Shampoos containing coal tar can be used by patients as frequently as necessary. Anthralin causes skin irritation and great care must be taken to avoid contact with the eyes.⁸

The carcinogenicity of coal tar has clearly been demonstrated by in vitro and animal studies, and appears to be potentiated by concomitant use of ultraviolet radiation. Systemic absorption of mutagens from topically applied tar has been demonstrated in humans. Conclusive evidence for the carcinogenicity of tar used in dermatologic practice is lacking,⁹ and will only be provided by cohort studies involving several thousand patients. Our lead article in the very first issue of this Letter was entitled, “Should coal tar preparations be widely available without prescription.?”¹⁰

Corticosteroids

Various potent topical formulations (i.e. solutions or creams) of corticosteroids are used to treat scalp psoriasis. Prolonged use can cause the usual, well-recognized problems. Once the patient has improved, treatment should be tapered gradually to reduce the chance of relapse.

Intralesional corticosteroids – Stubborn or persistent or treatment-resistant plaques will usually respond to intralesional corticosteroid injections.^7,11 (e.g. 0.1-1 ml of triamcinolone acetonide 2.5-10 mg/ml)

Calcipotriol (calcipotriene)

In a multi-centre, prospective randomized, double-blind, parallel group study in 49 adults, calcipotriol (50 mcg/ml) was well tolerated and significantly superior to its own vehicle used as placebo in reducing redness, thickness, scaliness, and extent of psoriasis.⁶ In another study, betamethasone 17-valerate solution (1 mg/ml) was significantly more effective than calcipotriol (50 mcg/ml) and was associated with statistically significant less local irritation on the scalp and face.¹²

Other Treatments

In severe, recalcitrant scalp psoriasis, it may be necessary to consider systemic therapy with acitretin or methotrexate⁸ combined with topical corticosteroids or vitamin D₃ preparations.⁷ Unfortunately, hair acts as an ultraviolet shield; hence for scalp psoriasis, PUVA therapy is only useful in patients who are significantly bald.⁸ Grenz ray (soft x-rays) therapy has been found to be effective,¹³ but this form of therapy is considered to have unacceptable risks and is no longer used in most countries.

Treatment Regimes

When scaling is thick and adherent, it must be removed by overnight application of a keratolytic. Dr. Kenneth Arndt uses a phenol/saline lotion (P& S liquid).¹¹ Professor Gollnick uses salicylic acid (up to 15%) oil formulations, applied for 12-24 hours under occlusion.⁷ Professor Kragballe prescribes a daily application of 5% tar and 5% salicylic acid in petrolatum.¹⁴ The scalp should be shampooed daily. Once the crust/scale is removed, the keratolytic can be used as necessary to keep the scalp reasonably free from scaling. After shampooing, an appropriate potent corticosteroid formulation should be massaged into the scalp. Dr. Arndt uses clobetasol scalp solution or cream. In order to achieve and maintain a good response, he often finds it necessary to use combination therapy and to substitute topical anthralin or calcipotriene for the corticosteroid.¹¹ If appropriate, other options such as tar preparations or the milder topical corticosteroids can be substituted.⁷

Practice Tips for Treating Scalp Psoriasis

1. Keep the hair cut short5 when appropriate.
2. Thick and adherent scaling must be removed by a keratolytic.
3. Tar or anthralin preparations are unsuitable for patients with white or grey hair.
4. Shampoo daily.
5. Highly potent corticosteroids are often required in the early stages of treatment.
6. Stubborn or treatment resistant plaques will usually respond to intralesional corticosteroids.7,11
7. It is often necessary to rotate various treatments.11
8. Carefully instruct the patient.14 Positive reinforcement is also very important – patients must believe that they can be helped.

References

1. US National Health Survey 1971-74. Vital and Health Statistics. Series II No. 212.
2. Brandrup F, Green A. The prevalence of psoriasis in Denmark. Acta Derm Venereol (Stockh) 1981; 61: 344-346.
3. Farber EM, Nall ML. The natural history of psoriasis in 5,600 patients. Dermatologica 1974; 148: 1-18.
4. Dawber R. Diseases involving the scalp. In Diseases of the hair and scalp (Rook A, Dawber R eds). Oxford: Blackwell Scientific Publications, 1991: 506-509.
5. Christophers E. Personal communication. June 1996.
6. Green C, Ganpule M, Harris D, et al. Comparative effects of calcipotriol (MC903) solution and placebo vehicle of MC903) in the treatment of psoriasis of the scalp. Brit J Dermatol 1994; 130: 483-487.
7. Gollnick H. Personal communication. November 1996.
8. Lowe NJ. Therapy of scalp psoriasis. Derm Clinics 1984; 2: 471-476.
9. Pion IA, Koenig KL, Lim H. Is dermatologic usage of coal tar carcinogenic? A review of the literature. Dermatol Surg 1995; 21: 227-231
10. Should coal tar preparations be widely available without prescriptions? Skin Therapy Letter 1995; 1: 1.
11. Arndt KA. Personal communication. September 1996.
12. Klaber MR, Hutchinson PE, Pedvis-Leftick A, et al. Comparative effects of calcipotriol solution (50 mcg/ml) and betamethasone 17-valerate solution (1 mg/ml) in the treatment of scalp psoriasis. Brit J Dermatol 1994; 131: 678-683.
13. Lindelof B, Johannesson A. Psoriasis of the scalp treated with Grenz rays or corticosteroid combined with Grenz rays. A comparative randomized trial. Brit J Dermatol 1988; 119: 241-244.
14. Kragballe K. Personal communication. June 1996.