Scalp psoriasis guide

Scalp psoriasis visit, online

For adults whose scalp psoriasis a clinician already diagnosed. A doctor reads your answers and photos and may send a medicated shampoo or a vitamin D foam. We do not order tests.

Start online

Start a $59 online review for Scalp psoriasis.

Psoriasis can make thick, red, scaly patches on the scalp. This visit is for adults who already know they have scalp psoriasis because a clinician told them so. You answer questions and send photos. A doctor may send one medicine: a clobetasol shampoo (a strong steroid) for up to 4 weeks, or a calcipotriene foam (a vitamin D medicine) for up to 8 weeks. We do not order tests. If more than one sign in the list on this page fits, follow the first one.

If treatment is appropriate, your physician can send a non-controlled prescription to your pharmacy and provide portal instructions for the next step.

Start this visit See response times

Quick facts

You must be physically located in Virginia or West Virginia at the time of request.
Starts at $59
No insurance needed
No app download
Physician review around the clock
Non-controlled prescriptions can be sent to your pharmacy when appropriate
A work or school note can be included when medically appropriate
Response times apply 24/7, every day

Common symptoms

Thick, red, scaly patches on the scalp
Patches that a clinician already told you are psoriasis
Patches only on the scalp

May fit online care

Adults 18 and older
Age 18 or older
A clinician already told you that the plaques on your scalp are psoriasis
Psoriasis only on the scalp: none on your face, groin, genitals, or armpits, and not widespread on your body
No joint pain, no change in how the plaques look, and no prescription scalp medicine that you used for the full time and that did not help
Not pregnant, not possibly pregnant, and not breastfeeding
Clear photos of your scalp: one close-up photo and one wider photo
None of the warning signs below

Look for another care setting

Skin that is red or dark over most of your body, skin that peels off in large sheets, or skin that looks burned (call 911 or go to the ER now).
Pus-filled bumps over a large part of your body, or pus-filled bumps with a fever, shaking chills, or a fast heartbeat (call 911 or go to the ER now).
Trouble breathing, swelling of the lips, tongue, face, or throat, or confusion or being very hard to wake (call 911 or go to the ER now).
Do not drive yourself. If you use a medicine from us, stop it.
A sign from the 911 list above that happened in the last 4 weeks (or since your visit with us) and then went away, and no clinician has checked it (go to the ER or urgent care today).
A fever of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher, or shaking chills, while your psoriasis is flaring or your rash is spreading (go to the ER or urgent care today).
Severe weakness, fainting, or vomiting again and again (go to the ER or urgent care today).
Pus, yellow or honey-colored crusts, or oozing (see a doctor in person today).
A scalp that is painful, warm, or swollen (see a doctor in person today).
Open sores, cuts, or bleeding on the scalp (see a doctor in person today).
Patches of hair loss (see a doctor in person within 7 days).
Scalp skin that looks smooth, shiny, or scarred (see a doctor in person within 7 days).
Black dots or broken hairs on the scalp (see a doctor in person within 7 days).
A clinician has not told you that the plaques on your scalp are psoriasis, or you are not sure (see your own doctor).
You are under 18 (see your own doctor).
Joint pain or swelling, stiffness in the morning, or a finger or toe swollen like a sausage (see your own doctor).
Your scalp plaques look different from before, or you are not sure it is still psoriasis (see your own doctor).
A prescription scalp medicine that you used for the full time did not help (see your own doctor).
Psoriasis on your face (including the forehead, eyebrows, eyelids, cheeks, or around the mouth), in your groin or on your genitals, or in your armpits (see your own doctor).
Psoriasis on your body in more than about 10 palm-sized areas (see your own doctor).
You are pregnant, might be pregnant, or are breastfeeding (see your own doctor).
Your scalp is the same or worse after 4 weeks of the shampoo or 8 weeks of the foam (see your own doctor).
A doctor tells you that your blood calcium is high. Stop the foam only (see your own doctor).
You are much more thirsty than usual and pass much more urine than usual (see your own doctor).
You use the shampoo, and your scalp is clear before the form arrives. Stop the shampoo (message us).
Your scalp is the same or worse, and the medicine ran out before the full course (message us).
Your scalp burns, stings, or itches more than before. You get new pimple-like bumps on your scalp. The treated skin gets thin or has stretch marks or small red veins. You get hives or a new itchy rash. Your psoriasis is getting worse. If any of these fits, stop the medicine (message us).
If you use a medicine from us and any line on this page fits, stop the medicine. If a line names the foam or the shampoo, stop only that one.
If more than one fits, follow the first one.

What to have ready

Photos of your scalp: one clear close-up photo and one wider photo. Part your hair so the patches show
Which scalp treatments you have used, how often, for how long, and how your scalp responded
The date you last used any steroid, and how often you wash your hair
Every medicine and supplement you take or use, with the dose

What happens next

Standard

$59

Within 6 hours

Priority

$99

Within 3 hours

Rush

$149

Within 1 hour

Start the request on the website, answer a few questions to check that this visit fits you, and choose how fast you want an answer (the response window). If your concern still fits this service, a physician reviews it and sends you a secure update after you sign in. When appropriate, non-controlled prescriptions can be sent to your pharmacy, and a basic work or school note can be included at physician discretion.

Your physician

Every visit is personally reviewed by Ankur Fadia, MD. He is board-certified, has extra training in heart care (a cardiology fellowship), and is a member of Alpha Omega Alpha, a medical honor society. He is licensed in Virginia and West Virginia, and your care is never handed off to someone else.

About Ankur Fadia, MD Verify Virginia medical license Verify West Virginia medical license Verify board certification

What is the shampoo?

Clobetasol shampoo is a strong steroid for the scalp. It is for moderate to severe scalp psoriasis in adults. You use it once a day on dry hair for up to 4 weeks in a row. You leave it on for 15 minutes, then lather and rinse well. You never use more than 50 mL (1.75 fl oz) in one week, and you get one bottle. Do not use any other steroid at the same time.

What is the foam?

Calcipotriene foam is a vitamin D medicine. It is not a steroid. You use it twice a day for up to 8 weeks. You part dry hair, put a thin layer on the patches, and rub it in gently. You get one can.

Do I get both medicines?

The doctor may send one medicine. If your scalp is clear or much better after the shampoo, the doctor may send the foam to help keep it clear. If the doctor sends the foam, you stop the shampoo the day you start the foam. The two are never used together.

Why do you ask for photos?

A doctor needs clear photos to see your scalp and to send a medicine. Send one clear close-up photo and one wider photo. Part your hair so the patches show. If the photos cannot be read, the doctor sends no medicine.

Why do you not order any tests?

This visit rests on a diagnosis that a clinician already made, on your photos, and on your answers. We do not order tests. If you need a test, we send you to a clinician who can order it.

What is the fire rule for the foam?

The foam can catch fire. Stay away from flames, and do not smoke while you use it or right after. Do not keep it in the fridge or freezer.

What happens after the course?

We send you a short form. It is free. It opens on day 28 if you use the shampoo, and on day 56 if you use the foam. If the doctor sends the foam after the shampoo, you get a second short form 8 weeks after the foam starts. It is also free. After that, your own doctor takes over. If the psoriasis comes back later, you can start a new visit.

When should I get help right away?

Do not wait for our reply if a warning sign on this page starts. Our reply can take up to 6 hours. If more than one warning sign fits, follow the first one.

Other conditions we treat

Not quite what you have? Here are other conditions we treat.

Acne keloidalis nuchae Acne or breakouts Chronic hives Cold sores Dandruff or itchy scalp Diaper rash (age 4 to 17)