- With Mayo Clinic dermatologist
Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.
Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.
Dr. Lawrence Gibson likens bad health information on the Internet to food poisoning.
Consumers, he said, need to be aware, and will find reliable information at MayoClinic.com.
Dr. Gibson, a Covington, Ky., native, has been with Mayo since 1986 and is board certified in dermatology, dermatopathology and immunodermatology. He is a professor of dermatology at Mayo Medical School and a consultant in the Department of Dermatology.
Dr. Gibson has been director of the Dermatopathology Laboratory since 1998 and chair of the Laboratory Division in the Department of Dermatology since 2000. He is especially interested in inflammatory disorders of the skin and lymphoma affecting the skin.
"Electronic information is becoming a staple in the diet of a health conscious society," he said. "It's important to avoid misinformation and provide a credible source for health information. Using this analogy, it's critical to avoid 'indigestion' or worse yet, 'food poisoning' by the ingestion of tainted information."
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Question
Scalp psoriasis vs. seborrheic dermatitis: What's the difference?
How does a doctor tell the difference between scalp psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp?
Answer
from Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.
Scalp psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp can be difficult to differentiate. Both are common conditions that affect the scalp. In addition, they share similar symptoms, such as itchy, red, scaly skin. Fortunately, they also share some similar treatments, such as medicated shampoos. However, scalp psoriasis tends to be more resistant than does seborrheic dermatitis to these treatments.
Most often, the scales of psoriasis are thicker and somewhat drier in appearance than are the scales of seborrheic dermatitis. In addition, psoriasis usually affects more than one area of the body. So if you have scalp psoriasis, you may also have mild psoriasis on your elbows, knees, buttocks or fingers.
There is no single test to confirm a diagnosis of psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis. A diagnosis is usually made with a visual examination of the affected skin. In rare cases, a skin biopsy may be needed to differentiate between the two disorders.
| Scalp disorder | Signs and symptoms | Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Scalp psoriasis |
|
|
| Seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp |
|
|
