The key difference between scalp psoriasis and dandruff is that scalp psoriasis is a severe scalp condition that produces thick, silvery sheen scales and plaques on the scalp, while dandruff is a mild scalp condition that produces dry and greasy scales on the scalp.
There are different types of medical conditions that affect the scalp. They can cause some very irritating symptoms. However, scalp conditions do not normally cause any major complications, and most of them are not even contagious. Scalp psoriasis and dandruff are two such scalp conditions.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Scalp Psoriasis
3. What is Dandruff
4. Similarities – Scalp Psoriasis and Dandruff
5. Scalp Psoriasis vs Dandruff in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Scalp Psoriasis vs Dandruff
What is Scalp Psoriasis?
Scalp psoriasis is a common skin disorder. It often occurs as raised, reddish- or salmon-colored patches with white scales. In the case of darker skin, the patches may be purple, and the scales may be gray. There can be a single patch or several patches affecting the entire scalp. Moreover, scalp psoriasis can spread to the forehead, the back of the neck, or behind and inside of the ears. People can’t catch scalp psoriasis from another person. It is believed that it comes from something wrong with the immune system, which causes skin cells to grow very quickly and build up into patches. The possible symptoms may include scaly, red, purple bumpy patches, silvery white or gray scales, dandruff-like flaking, dry scalp, itching, burning or soreness, and hair loss.
Scalp psoriasis can be diagnosed through physical examination and skin biopsy. Furthermore, the treatment options for scalp psoriasis include corticosteroids, medicated shampoos (containing clobetasol propionate), scale softening agents, calcipotriene, tazarotene, and systematic medications such as injected corticosteroids, biologic medications, cyclosporine, acitretin (oral retinoid), and apremilast.
What is Dandruff?
Dandruff is a common and mild condition that causes the skin on the scalp to flake off. This is not contagious or serious. Signs and symptoms of dandruff include dry or greasy skin flakes on the scalp, hair, eyebrows, beard, mustache, and shoulders, itchy scalp, and scaly, crusty scalp in infants with cradle caps. These signs and symptoms may be more severe if people are stressed. The causes of dandruff may include irritated, oily skin, dry skin, a yeast-like fungus that feeds on the scalps, sensitivity to hair care products (contact dermatitis), and other skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema.
Dandruff can be diagnosed through physical examination, clinical evaluation, allergy test, or skin biopsy. Furthermore, dandruff treatments include over-the-counter antidandruff shampoos (containing ketoconazole, selenium sulphide, salicylic acid, coal tar, or zinc pyrithione), corticosteroid lotion, and mineral oils for infants with cradle cap.
What are the Similarities Between Scalp Psoriasis and Dandruff?
- Scalp psoriasis and dandruff are two types of scalp conditions.
- Both conditions are chronic conditions.
- They are not contagious.
- They can be treated through corticosteroid lotions.
What is the Difference Between Scalp Psoriasis and Dandruff?
Scalp psoriasis is a severe scalp condition that produces thick, silvery sheen scales and plaques on the scalp, while dandruff is a mild scalp condition that produces dry and greasy scales on the scalp. Thus, this is the key difference between scalp psoriasis and dandruff. Furthermore, scalp psoriasis is caused by an issue in the immune system that causes skin cells to grow very quickly and build up into patches. On the other hand, dandruff is caused by irritated, oily skin, dry skin, a yeast-like fungus that feeds on the scalps of most adults, sensitivity to hair care products (contact dermatitis), and other skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema.
The below infographic presents the differences between scalp psoriasis and dandruff in tabular form for side by side comparison.
Summary – Scalp Psoriasis vs Dandruff
Scalp conditions are common skin conditions. Most scalp conditions are hereditary. They can also be caused by malnutrition or infections. Scalp psoriasis and dandruff are two types of scalp conditions. Scalp psoriasis is a severe scalp condition that produces thick, silvery sheen scales and plaques on the scalp, while dandruff is a mild scalp condition that produces dry and greasy scales on the scalp. So, this is the key difference between scalp psoriasis and dandruff.
Reference:
1. “Scalp Psoriasis.” WebMD.
2. “Dandruff.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Woman showing serious hair loss problem” By Marco Verch Professional Photography (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr
2. “Excessive dandruff” By Hmochoa95 – I photographed a boy suffering from severe dandruff inside east valley high school.Previously published: 2013-02-19 (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia