Scalp Disorders
Common scalp disorders characterized by scaling, inflammation, or other cutaneous findings.
Summary
What it is
An index page that introduces common scalp disorders and links to key conditions.
Who it affects
Readers researching common inflammatory and scaling scalp conditions.
Key clinical facts
- Several disorders can cause scale and erythema; diagnosis is typically clinical and context-dependent.
- Seborrheic dermatitis/dandruff and psoriasis are common differential diagnoses for scaling disorders.
- This page provides an overview and links to condition pages; it is not diagnostic.
Evidence level
Detailed sections
Background
Scalp disorders include inflammatory and scaling conditions that may overlap in appearance. [1] [2]
Causes / Mechanisms
Mechanisms vary and may include immune-mediated inflammation (psoriasis), microbial ecology and inflammation (seborrheic dermatitis spectrum), and other inflammatory processes. [1] [2] [3]
Symptoms / Presentation
Common symptoms include scale, erythema, and pruritus; severity and distribution vary by condition. [1] [2]
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is typically clinical, with consideration of differential diagnoses based on distribution, scale characteristics, and associated findings. [1] [2]
Treatment Options
Treatment categories are diagnosis-specific; this site describes options and evidence without endorsement. [1] [2]
Prognosis
Several scalp disorders are chronic-relapsing; symptom control and relapse patterns vary by diagnosis. [1] [2]
Citations
References
- Naldi L, Rebora A. Clinical practice. Seborrheic dermatitis. N Engl J Med. 2009. PMID: 19164189.
- Wozel G, Klein E, Mrowietz U, et al. Scalp psoriasis. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2011. PMID: 20374417.
- Borda LJ, Wikramanayake TC. Seborrheic Dermatitis and Dandruff: A Comprehensive Review. J Clin Investig Dermatol. 2015. PMID: 27148560.