Managing Psoriasis in Kids: Treatment and Care

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that affects both adults and children alike. While it is more common in adults, nearly 1 percent of children worldwide may suffer from this inflammatory skin disease, according to a report released by the National Psoriasis Foundation. The condition worsens if it starts to flare up, which can impact the kids. 

Psoriasis often presents as red, scaly patches on the skin, which can appear anywhere but are most common on the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back. In children, psoriasis may also be mistaken for other common skin conditions, such as eczema or cradle cap. As opposed to eczema, psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy skin cells, leading to rapid turnover and resulting in the telltale red, inflamed patches.

Read below this article to learn about psoriasis in kids, its symptoms, causes, and treatment.

Primarily, there are four kinds of psoriasis that children might experience.

It is the most common form of psoriasis experienced by kids and is recognized by raised, red patches with silvery scales.

It is typically triggered by bacterial infection and is marked by small, drop-shaped sores.

This is a less common yet serious form and is characterized by pus-filled blisters. 

Inverse psoriasis appears in skin folds, including under the arms or around the groin.

While psoriasis is largely triggered by genetics, which contributes to nearly one-third of the overall cases. Besides genetics, other factors that trigger psoriasis in kids are as follows:

When it comes to psoriasis in kids, it is important to control the symptoms and aid in reducing flare-ups. The treatment is recommended by your healthcare provider depending on the severity of the condition.

To treat mild to moderate psoriasis in kids, topical treatments, including corticosteroids and vitamin D analogues, are used to help reduce redness and swelling and slow down skin cell growth. Besides, moisturizing the skin is also recommended to help alleviate itchiness and flakiness.

In some cases, UV light therapy is an effective treatment that involves exposing the skin to controlled amounts of natural sunlight or artificial UV light. According to a study, phototherapy can reduce psoriasis symptoms in 70–90% of children after regular sessions.

For mild cases, home remedies can also be effective in alleviating the symptoms. These home remedies for psoriasis include

In severe cases, the healthcare provider may prescribe oral or injectable medications to suppress the immune system and are used when topical treatments and light therapy are ineffective. And most importantly, up to 44% of children with psoriasis report feelings of anxiety or depression due to bullying or low self-confidence. Therefore, it is important for parents to provide emotional support to kids suffering from psoriasis.

Psoriasis in kids contributes to nearly one percent of overall cases worldwide. Managing this condition in kids can be overwhelming. However, with proper treatment, psoriasis in kids can be managed effectively. If you suspect the condition is worsening, reach out to your healthcare provider at the earliest.