How to Tell If You May Have Scalp Psoriasis vs. Dandruff
Psoriasis and dandruff can both cause itchiness and flaky skin on the scalp.
Psoriasis is a long-term autoimmune condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body, leading to thick, dry, and flaky patches on the scalp. Dandruff is often caused by an overgrowth of yeast on the scalp and is usually a common issue that comes and goes depending on how you take care of your hair and scalp, what irritants you’re exposed to, and how much stress you’re under.

1.
Appearance
Both psoriasis and dandruff can result in flaky skin on the scalp.
Dandruff usually looks like general flaking without clear edges. Psoriasis, on the other hand, forms distinct, thick patches of skin called plaques. These plaques can be white, grey, or turn pink, red, purple, or dark brown when irritated.

2.
Location
Dry skin can appear anywhere on the body.
If you notice dry, flaky skin only on your scalp, it’s more likely to be dandruff. Psoriasis can affect multiple areas of the body, including the elbows, knees, lower back, and scalp.

3.
Symptoms
Flaking and itching are common in both conditions.
With dandruff, you’ll see loose flakes of skin on your head and in your hair, but not a single, solid patch. With psoriasis, the flakes form a thick, scaly patch, and you may have similar patches on other parts of your body.

4.
Condition Associations
Dandruff is usually a separate issue but can be influenced by stress or other factors.
It often doesn’t lead to bigger health problems unless it’s very stubborn. However, it can affect your confidence and self-esteem. Psoriasis is a more serious condition because it’s an autoimmune disease. It can affect more than just your skin and increase the risk of other health issues such as anxiety, depression, heart disease, high blood pressure, inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, and psoriatic arthritis. If you have one autoimmune disease, you have a 25% chance of developing another.

5.
Potential Causes
Dandruff is often caused by irritation, like using hair products, or by dryness and poor hygiene habits.
Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks your own cells. There’s no cure for psoriasis, but