Scalp psoriasis continues to be one of the most socially embarrassing of conditions, affecting as much as three per cent of the population.

"People stare at you, and mistakenly think psoriasis is contagious," says one sufferer. "I feel so self-conscious."

Contagious it is not. Unsightly without doubt however, a non-infectious inflammatory skin condition which typically develops as patches or 'plaques' of red skin topped by thick silver-white scales

Once developed it tends to come and go throughout life. A flare-up can occur at any time with varying frequency and there may be times when the psoriasis clears for long spells.

The severity of psoriasis -   often misspelled psorasis, psorisis, psoriosis, or psoraisis -   - also varies greatly. For some it is mild with a few small patches that develop but are barely noticeable. In others there are numerous patches of varying size. For perhaps the majority the severity is somewhere between these two extremes.

Scalp Psoriasis:

This may occur in isolation or in association with any other form of psoriasis. It may not trigger any symptoms at all, or may be extremely itchy.

The most common area is the back of the head, but it can occur in other and sometimes far more extensive areas. It tends to be a chronic problem lasting many years.

It affects about half of all people who succumb to plaque psoriasis. A strong hereditary link has been noted. Scalp psoriasis can also occur alone without any other part of the skin being affected, and can sometimes look like severe dandruff.

Psoriasis is a growing and chronic condition - there are five recognized types - and no known cure, although there are numerous ways to treat it. It continues to be one of the more difficult skin conditions to treat and no one treatment will work for everyone. Regardless of which type you have, treating and controlling psoriasis should be your primary objective.

The Natural Method

There are a number of ways to deal with the condition including both traditional medical as well as all-natural alternatives. Fortunately, the majority of cases can benefit from natural treatments and bypass the need for medications that often produce unwanted side effects.

As with many chronic conditions, it is advisable to approach treatment naturally, and from a number of angles. Start by dealing with psoriasis in a holistic manner by making changes that affect your entire body and lifestyle. In other words address the problem from the 'inside'.

But since your immediate concern is the external outbreak of skin lesions, you should also deal with the condition topically to reduce the severity of the symptoms you are experiencing.

Some of the best-known natural psoriasis treatments are remarkably effective. In fact, natural treatments are increasingly recognized as suitable solutions with more and more commercial psoriasis treatments incorporating natural ingredients in the formulations.