Psoriasis and beard hair
I'm writing to ask about a psoriasis symptom that I haven't seen discussed online. I have been diagnosed with psoriasis, and I have patches on my scalp, chest, and elbows. But I have also noticed that I appear to have psoriasis in my beard as well. Not the skin underneath my beard, the beard hair itself.
Unfortunately I cannot attach photos here, but I can describe it to you. It looks like split ends all along the hair, but it's not actually split. There are a few reasons why I think it's psoriasis.
I take good care of my beard with shampoo and beard oils, and don't use lots of friction, so the likelihood of it being split ends or another poor hair condition is small. Also, it's symmetrical as psoriasis often is. I have it on the ends of my moustache and a little in the beard underneath the ends of my moustache.
I went to the pharmacist today to ask for advice on how to treat it, and he said that he'd never heard of it before, but recommended that I email you.
Do you have any advice?
Should I use Capasal (the shampoo I use on my hair) on it?
Should I use any other topical treatment?
Any help on this, or any indication of what it might be, would be much appreciated.
Thanks for contacting PAPAA. The pathophysiology of psoriasis is multifactorial and involves epidermal hyperproliferation, abnormal differentiation of epidermal keratinocytes, and inflammation with immunologic alterations in the skin. This is a rather technical sounding definition, but the essential point is that it is a disease affecting skin cells. Hair, on the other hand, is made of dead cells which have turned into a protein called keratin, compacted together with water and binding material. It follows, that whatever is wrong with the hair on your beard, it cannot – by definition – be psoriasis. In your original description it initially sounded as though it could be psoriatic skin cells collecting around the hairs, but you are quite clear that it isn’t this. So I wonder if it’s a problem with the cuticle of the hair itself – I really couldn’t say. I would suggest you see a trichologist who will likely be able to help. You can find their professional organisation here: https://trichologists.org.uk/ Whatever it turns out to be, I hope you find a solution!
- Name: Dr David Ashton
- Topic: Psoriasis
Thank you for your interesting question. I have to say we’ve also not heard of this either, as you may know hair once its grown out of the root is actually made up of dead cells so any changes in theory would perhaps happen at the ‘live’ root as it emerges from the skin. As seen in nail psoriasis, the damage is often an indication of changes at the nail bed under the skin. Most shampoos for psoriasis are aimed at treating the skin of the scalp, not the hair, treatments for hair generally add something that make it look shinny or glossy or for styling. The condition of peoples' hair can indicate other health issues, but it’s only once it’s emerged from the scalp/skin, so very much a view of a past event. Perhaps you could have a chat with your GP, who may be able to take a wider view for you
- Name: PAPAA
- Topic: Psoriasis