Psoriasis, Picking, and Maybe Even Traction Alopecia?

First, I have to say what an amazingly informative site this is! I am a female in my mid-twenties. On and off for the past 10 years I have suffered psoriasis on my scalp. It gets scaly and itchy. Usually I am able to avoid picking it; however over the past 8 months I went through a very difficult period and was under tremendous stress. Unconsciously, I began to pick at my scalp and it has now turned into a persistent bad habit. I have noticed that as a result my hair is thinning. I have always had thinner hair at this point the hair loss is not blaringly obvious but it is getting to the point that I have to avoid certain hair styles all together and harder and harder to hide. I had assumed that this was a result simply from pulling at the scalp and playing with my hair. Now after reading more on your site I am concerned that I am suffering traction alopecia in addition to the psoriasis. I know that controlling the picking is the first step and I am assuming this is a psychological issure but I have not found anyone to help with this. I saw a Dr. who prescribed me Fluocinonide, which helps moderately with the irritation. Is there another course of action you recomend? A way to help the scalp heal and perhaps prevent traction alopecia?
Thanks!!!!

You are right. You must first treat your obsessive disorder and stop picking at your hair (trichotillomania). Without that, nothing is going to work, because even if you help your hair grow by other treatments, you will most likely continue to pull the hair out. If you could stop picking at your hair, your hair will grow in 4 to 6 months provided that you did not do so much picking that you have developed true traction alopecia.

Also see: I Am Pulling My Hair Out and Need Advice