title: Current management of scalp psoriasis.
abstract: The scalp is involved in up to 80% of individuals with psoriasis. Eighty percent of those with scalp psoriasis experience a negative impact on quality of life. Topical treatment with corticosteroids with or without vitamin D3 analogues is the mainstay of treatment. Topical therapy most suitable for the scalp is formulated as a solution, lotion, gel, foam, spray, oil, or shampoo. Twice weekly maintenance in frequent relapsers may decrease the time to first relapse. Intralesional steroids, phototherapy and the excimer laser are occasionally used for resistant cases. In patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis, apremilast, adalimumab and etanercept have been shown to significantly improve scalp psoriasis. They should be considered in patients who have failed topical therapy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Dermatology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada; The Guenther Dermatology Research Centre (GDRC), London, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guenther
mesh_terms: D000068879:Adalimumab / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002762:Cholecalciferol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D019468:Disease Management; D000068800:Etanercept / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D054018:Lasers, Excimer / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000379:methods; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012536:Scalp Dermatoses / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D002762:Cholecalciferol; D013792:Thalidomide; D000068879:Adalimumab; D000068800:Etanercept; C505730:apremilast