Shampoo in the Treatment of Scalp Psoriasis

Psoriasis, affecting 1-3% of the global population, often manifests on the scalp, impacting 50-75% of psoriasis patients at some point. Scalp psoriasis is marked by erythematosquamous lesions and can impair hair growth, cause scarring, and significantly affect quality of life due to pruritus, scaling, and psychological distress. Despite numerous therapies, treatment is challenging due to the scalp's inaccessibility and the unpleasantness of many topical options. Shampoos, containing keratolytics, tars, and corticosteroids, were found to be safe, well-tolerated, and effective, with clobetasol propionate shampoo and tar-blend shampoos being preferred for induction and maintenance therapy, respectively. However, treatment must be individualized as no single preparation was superior in all clinical situations.