Tea tree oil has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that may make it suitable for treating psoriasis, although more studies are needed.
Shampoos and creams containing tea tree oil may help soothe scalp pain and irritation.
Be sure to do a patch test before trying this treatment, as tea tree oil allergies are not uncommon. Never apply undiluted tea tree oil directly to skin. Always dilute with a light “carrier” oil like avocado, argan, or jojoba, at a ratio of 1 part tea tree oil to 10 parts carrier oil.
7. Capsaicin
Capsaicin is the compound that makes chili peppers spicy. Over-the-counter creams and ointments containing capsaicin may help relieve itching due to scalp psoriasis.
Capsaicin works by blocking nerve endings that transmit pain. It also has anti-inflammatory properties.
More research is needed to show that capsaicin is safe and effective.
If you use any products containing capsaicin, be sure to do a patch test first. It can cause a burning sensation where you apply it.
8. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a promising remedy for psoriasis, although its benefits haven’t yet been scientifically confirmed. Aloe gel contains active ingredients that fight microbes, reduce inflammation, and break down skin plaques.
“Aloe vera may play a role in soothing inflamed skin,” says Aleta Simmons MD, a board-certified dermatologist and member of the Skin of Color Society who runs the Simmons Skin Center in Nashville, Tennessee, noting that more research is needed.
Aloe vera creams and ointments are available over the counter. Look for those containing 0.5 percent aloe and apply it directly to the skin up to three times a day.
9. Mahonia Aquifolium (Oregon Grape or Barberry Bark)
Mahonia is an herb containing berberine, which has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Scientists say it shows promise for treating psoriasis.
Creams containing 10 percent mahonia bark can provide relief from mild to moderate psoriasis, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation.
10. Turmeric
Applying turmeric products to the scalp may help manage psoriasis, some research suggests. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties that can improve how the immune system works.
In a study published in 2018, people with scalp psoriasis who used a turmeric tonic twice daily for nine weeks saw improvements in discoloration, scaling, and depth of lesions.
In a study published in 2023, scientists made a paste combining turmeric and tea tree oil. As well as combining the benefits of both substances, the paste offered emollient properties that could also make it easier for its active ingredients to enter the skin.
11. Peppermint Oil
There’s some evidence that peppermint oil could be helpful for wound healing, and mouse studies have suggested it might help manage psoriasis. However, more studies are needed to confirm that peppermint oil treatments are safe and effective for humans.
Always check with a doctor before using essential oils as it can be risky to apply these oils to your skin. You’ll likely need to dilute any oil first with a neutral “carrier” oil, such as almond oil. Don’t forget to do a patch test, too.
12. Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Some people turn to omega-3 fatty acids, present in fish oil, for psoriasis and other skin conditions, as it has anti-inflammatory properties.
However, you’d need to get this through diet or supplements. It’s not a topical application (meaning you wouldn’t apply it directly to skin) and it won’t bring instant relief.
Dietary sources of omega-3 include:
Oily fish, such as sardines
Flaxseed and flaxseed oil
Chia seeds
Walnuts
You can also get omega 3 in fish oil supplements, but check with your doctor before using. Note that the FDA does not evaluate supplements for safety or effectiveness.
13. Neem Oil
People in India have long used neem oil for health purposes, including applying a neem oil paste to areas of psoriasis.
But research on neem oil for this purpose is very limited. In one small study, 45 people who took neem oil capsules found it “useful” for managing psoriasis, possibly due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
14. Sunlight and Phototherapy
Sunlight can help manage psoriasis, but too much sun exposure can increase your risk of sunburn and skin cancer.
Ask your doctor how much sun exposure is healthy for you, and what protection you need while in the sun. If you have thick hair, sunlight might not be worth trying at all, as the rays won’t make it to your scalp.
Or, you can ask about light therapy such as phototherapy or excimer laser therapy. In phototherapy, a qualified professional will expose your scalp to safe levels of ultraviolet B (UVB) light. Excimer laser therapy uses laser beams to deliver UVB light.
15. Vitamin D
People with psoriasis often have lower vitamin D levels than those without. In the past, doctors have commonly prescribed vitamin D supplements for psoriasis.
However, experts don’t really understand the link between vitamin D and psoriasis, and it’s not clear if vitamin D supplementation makes a difference to symptoms.
Still, boosting vitamin D levels can benefit your overall health.
Ways of doing this without supplements include:
Including oily fish in your diet
Eating fortified dairy products and cereals
Safe sun exposure, as the UVB rays in sunlight enable your body to make vitamin D
Ask your doctor before taking supplements or increasing your sun exposure, however. Too much sun can increase your risk of skin cancer.
Vitamin D is also available in a synthetic form known as calcipotriene. It helps treat psoriasis by changing the way your body makes skin cells.
Calcipotriene comes as a cream, solution, ointment or foam that you apply to your scalp before bedtime.
16. Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that seems to improve psoriasis symptoms, although how it works is unclear.
Two ways of getting vitamin E are through diet and topical applications.
Dietary sources include:
Nuts
Spinach
Whole grains
Olive oil
Sunflower oil
Vitamin E supplements have also shown promise for improving psoriasis symptoms.
However, more research is needed to prove vitamin E products are worth using.
17. Coal Tar
Coal tar reduces inflammation and itching. It comes in soaps, lotions, shampoos, and other over-the-counter remedies.
Ask your doctor if coal tar is suitable for you and, if so, which form.
Note that coal tar can cause a burning sensation in some people, and it may not be suitable for children. Always do a patch test first.
18. Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid comes in various over-the-counter forms. It breaks down the outer levels of skin and can reduce the thickness of psoriasis plaques, helping relieve symptoms.
As with coal tar, salicylic acid can cause skin discomfort. Check with your doctor before using products containing salicylic acid, and do a patch test first.
19. Medicated Shampoos
Medicated shampoos for scalp psoriasis often include clobetasol propionate or coal tar.
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) notes that you can use clobetasol propionate for up to four weeks to help get a flare under control and then once or twice a week for maintenance.
To prevent hair loss when using these shampoos, the AAD recommends:
Alternating between medicated and nonmedicated shampoos to avoid drying out your hair
Letting your hair dry naturally rather than blow drying
Using a conditioner after every wash
Patch testing any new hair products before using
How Often Should You Wash Your Hair When You Have Scalp Psoriasis?
There’s no specific recommendation for how often to wash your hair if you have scalp psoriasis.
Dr. Barbosa says, “How frequently each person should shampoo varies and depends on several factors, including how much sebum your hair produces, how much scale you are experiencing, and how curly your hair is, with a range of anywhere from every day to every two weeks being reasonable.”
20. Diet and Lifestyle Choices
Diet
A varied and nutritious diet may help prevent inflammation, a key symptom of psoriasis.
Barbosa recommends an anti-inflammatory diet. “While diet does not cause psoriasis, it might contribute to a flare,” she says. In conjunction with any needed medication, you might want to try minimizing processed foods and sugar and focusing more on plant-based foods such as vegetables, fruits, beans, and nuts.
Lifestyle
“Quitting smoking, managing stress and weight, and decreasing alcohol consumption can all reap numerous health benefits, as can increasing exercise,” Barbosa says.
Walking, swimming, and yoga are some ways to get started with exercise.
Regarding swimming, Barbosa notes that while you can swim in a pool with scalp psoriasis, “You do have to be careful … because the chlorine can be drying to the scalp and can exacerbate the condition.”
To reduce this risk, she advises wearing a swim cap, keeping swim time brief, and rinsing chlorine from your hair and scalp immediately.
In Barbosa’s view, “Taking a dip in the ocean is a better choice than swimming in a pool because the salt water can help to decrease irritation and flaking and hence can improve the psoriasis.”
