Scalp Psoriasis Home Remedies and How to Remove Scale
How to soften and remove psoriasis scale safely at home, which oils and descaling products help, what the evidence says about natural remedies, and when you need treatment.
Part of our scalp psoriasis health guides.
Key fact: Softening thick scale with an oil or ointment before treatment is part of NICE's advice for scalp psoriasis, because scale stops treatments reaching the skin. Picking or scraping scale off can damage the skin and pull out hair.
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See scalp psoriasis treatments →What helps scalp psoriasis at home?
Good self-care can make your scalp more comfortable, reduce scale and help treatments work better. The things that help most are removing scale gently, using a medicated or gentle shampoo, avoiding scratching, and knowing your triggers.
Home remedies won't control moderate or severe scalp psoriasis on their own. If you have thick, raised patches, or they're spreading, a treatment such as a steroid scalp lotion usually works far better, and you can use self-care alongside it.
How to remove psoriasis scale safely
This method is based on NHS hospital advice for scalp psoriasis:
1
Soften the scale
Massage an oil (such as olive or coconut oil) or an emollient ointment into the scaly patches, a section at a time, trying not to put too much on your hair.
2
Leave it on
Cover your head with a shower cap or towel and leave it for at least an hour, or overnight. A shower cap also protects your pillow.
3
Wash it out
Wash your hair with a coal tar or normal shampoo. Applying the shampoo before wetting your hair can help lift the oil.
4
Comb gently
While your hair is still damp, hold a fine-toothed plastic comb flat against your scalp and move it in small circles to loosen the softened scale. Don't scrape or force it off.
5
Wash again and dry gently
Shampoo again to remove the loose scale and any remaining oil, then dry your hair on a cool or low setting.
Don't pick: removing scale too forcefully can damage the skin, make psoriasis flare in that spot and pull out hair. If the scale won't lift, soften it again another day.
Once the scale is off, apply any scalp treatment you've been prescribed to the clean skin, as the leaflet directs.
Descaling products: salicylic acid and coal tar
If oils aren't enough, products made to lift scale can help. NICE suggests using salicylic acid, emollients or oils to remove scale before applying a steroid, if the first treatment hasn't worked.
| Product | What's in it | How it helps | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cocois Ointment | Coal tar, salicylic acid and sulphur in a coconut oil base | Softens and lifts thick scale; usually left on for about an hour, then shampooed out, as the leaflet directs | General sale; available online from us for adults |
| Psoriderm Scalp Lotion Shampoo | Coal tar | Loosens scale and eases itching | Pharmacy medicine; available online from us for adults |
| Capasal Shampoo | Coal tar, salicylic acid and coconut oil | Shampoo that helps lift scale | Not yet available through our online service |
| Diprosalic Scalp Application | Betamethasone (a potent steroid) with salicylic acid | Treats inflammation and lifts scale in one product | Prescription-only; not yet available through our online service |
Coal tar can stain hair, skin, clothes and bedding, has a strong smell and can make skin more sensitive to sun. Our service supplies adults only, including for coal tar products.
Natural remedies: what the evidence says
Many natural remedies are suggested for scalp psoriasis. Some are useful for softening scale; for most, there's little good evidence that they treat psoriasis itself.
| Remedy | What we know |
|---|---|
| Coconut oil and olive oil | Useful for softening scale before washing it out, as in the steps above. They don't treat the inflammation. |
| Emollient ointments | Soften scale and soothe dry skin. Keep fabrics that have soaked up emollient away from flames, because they can catch fire more easily. |
| Apple cider vinegar | Little good evidence. It can sting or burn cracked or broken skin, so don't use it on raw or bleeding patches. |
| Tea tree oil | Little good evidence for psoriasis, and it can irritate the skin or cause an allergic reaction. |
| Aloe vera | Little good evidence; it may feel soothing for some people. |
| Sunlight | Light therapy can help psoriasis, but hair shades the scalp, and sunburn can trigger a flare. Light therapy is given by specialists. |
| Diet | No diet cures psoriasis, but keeping to a healthy weight, cutting down on alcohol and stopping smoking are linked with less severe psoriasis. See our psoriasis diet guide. |
If you try a remedy, test it on a small patch first and stop if your scalp becomes more red or sore.
Washing and caring for your hair
- Wash your hair as often as you normally would; washing doesn't make psoriasis worse
- Use lukewarm rather than hot water
- Use a soft brush or wide-toothed comb, and avoid scraping your scalp
- Avoid tight hairstyles, hot styling tools and very hot hairdryers
- Do a patch test before using hair dye, and avoid dyeing during a flare or on broken skin
Easing the itch at home
Scratching damages the skin and can make patches worse, so try to break the cycle:
- Keep your nails short, and press or pat an itchy patch instead of scratching
- A cool, damp flannel can calm an itchy scalp
- Keep the scale soft with regular oil or ointment treatments
- Stress is a common trigger; anything that helps you relax may help
See our guide to scalp psoriasis symptoms and causes for more on itch and triggers.
When home remedies aren't enough
If your scalp still has thick, raised, itchy patches after a few weeks of self-care, treatment is likely to help. NICE guidance for adults starts with a potent steroid scalp application once a day for up to 4 weeks. Adults can order scalp psoriasis treatment online after a consultation with one of our pharmacist prescribers, or see their GP.
See a GP if: your scalp is weeping, crusted or looks infected; you have patches of hair loss that aren't growing back; you have joint pain or swelling; or you're not sure it's psoriasis.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get rid of scalp psoriasis flakes?
Soften the scale first: massage an oil or emollient ointment into the patches and leave it for at least an hour or overnight. Then wash your hair, comb the softened scale out gently with a fine plastic comb while your hair is damp, and wash again. Don't pick or scrape the scale off. If it keeps building up, a treatment such as a steroid scalp lotion will help.
Is coconut oil good for scalp psoriasis?
Coconut oil can help soften thick scale so it's easier to wash and comb out, and it's included in NHS advice for removing scale. It doesn't treat the inflammation that causes psoriasis, so it works best alongside a treatment rather than instead of one.
Does apple cider vinegar help scalp psoriasis?
There's little good evidence that it does. It can sting or burn cracked or broken skin, so don't put it on raw or bleeding patches.
How long should I leave oil on my scalp for psoriasis?
At least an hour, or overnight under a shower cap. Then wash it out with a coal tar or normal shampoo and gently comb out the loosened scale.
Can I remove psoriasis scale with a comb?
Yes, gently. Soften the scale with oil first, then hold a fine-toothed plastic comb flat against your damp scalp and move it in small circles. Don't scrape or force the scale off, because that can damage the skin and pull out hair.
What is the best natural remedy for scalp psoriasis?
There isn't a natural remedy proven to treat scalp psoriasis. Oils such as olive or coconut oil are useful for softening scale. For thick, itchy patches, a treatment such as a steroid scalp lotion is far more effective.
Can I treat scalp psoriasis at home without a prescription?
For mild scalp psoriasis, yes: coal tar shampoos and descaling products such as Cocois can be bought without a prescription, and oils help soften scale. For thicker patches, the treatments NICE recommends first, steroid scalp applications, are prescription-only.
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Start Scalp Psoriasis Consultation →References
- Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust. Treating scalp psoriasis. guysandstthomas.nhs.uk
- NICE. Psoriasis: assessment and management (CG153), recommendations 1.3.1 and 1.3.4 (scalp psoriasis). nice.org.uk/guidance/cg153
- NHS. Psoriasis. nhs.uk/conditions/psoriasis
- Psoriasis UK (formerly the Psoriasis Association). Scalp psoriasis information. psoriasisuk.org.uk
Medical disclaimer: This page is for information only and isn't a substitute for medical advice. Steroid scalp treatments, Etrivex and Dovobet are prescription-only, so a clinical consultation is needed before they can be supplied. Always follow your prescriber's advice and the leaflet. In a medical emergency, call 999.