When it comes to psoriasis in children and teens, early identification and understanding are key to managing this complex condition. Psoriasis symptoms may be challenging for kids, but with the right information and treatment approach, parents can help their children lead a comfortable, active life. This guide will walk you through the basics of psoriasis in teens and kids, from symptoms to treatment options, and other details parents should know.
What is Psoriasis?
When you first learn your child may have psoriasis, you’ll probably find yourself overwhelmed by the number of responses to your search, ‘What is psoriasis?’ In short, it’s a skin disorder that causes skin cells to multiply faster than necessary, which leads to bumpy red patches with scaly white skin.
Doctors still aren’t able to pinpoint what the causes of psoriasis in children and teens are, but it’s thought that psoriasis is linked to a compromised immune system. We do, however, know common triggers for pediatric psoriasis flare ups, which include injury to the skin and strep infections. Other things that increase your child’s risk of developing psoriasis include being obese, cold weather, certain medications, and high stress levels.
While psoriasis may not yet have a cure, many treatment options can help manage the symptoms and improve your child’s comfort. With the right care, kids with psoriasis can lead active, confident lives.
An Overview of 2 Types of Psoriasis
In general, there are five types of psoriasis: plaque psoriasis, inverse psoriasis, guttate psoriasis, pustular psoriasis, and erythrodermic psoriasis. However, the common types of psoriasis in children and teens are plaque psoriasis and guttate psoriasis.
1. Plaque Psoriasis
Plaque psoriasis is the most common type of psoriasis in children, teens, and adults. In fact, more than 8 million people in the US alone have been diagnosed with plaque psoriasis. For some people with psoriasis, affected areas can look like dandruff, while for others, red, dry patches called plaques can affect large areas of the body. Smaller spots are more common in cases of pediatric psoriasis.
2. Guttate Psoriasis
Guttate psoriasis is also known as “drop-like” psoriasis because it forms as small red dots. This type of psoriasis is most commonly triggered by an untreated case of strep, though only 8% of people with psoriasis have guttate psoriasis, making it relatively uncommon. But, many children who develop guttate psoriasis eventually develop plaque psoriasis.
Whether it’s plaque or guttate psoriasis, understanding the condition is the first step toward providing relief for your child.
When Does Psoriasis Start?
Up to 40% of people with psoriasis develop symptoms before they’re 16 years old, while 10% will develop symptoms before they’re 10 years old. It can take time to make a correct diagnosis of psoriasis in children as it can often be confused with other skin conditions like diaper rash.
Some type of event often triggers a change in the immune system that causes the development of psoriasis symptoms. For many children, this is a bacterial infection, like strep throat. Up to 50% of children with psoriasis experience their first symptoms up to six weeks after strep throat, bronchitis, tonsillitis, an earache, or a respiratory infection.
Psoriasis is a lifelong condition, but it is not considered a fatal disease. Psoriasis can be managed, with symptoms often going away completely but at times coming back in events called flare ups throughout your child’s life.
What are Early Symptoms of Psoriasis?
An early symptom of psoriasis in children and teens is small bumps. These small bumps eventually grow into raised, thick plaques of skin, which can be pink, red, gray, or another type of discoloration based on your child’s skin tone. The plaques eventually become covered in silvery-white, flaky scales and can become itchy or feel as if they’re burning. Other symptoms to look out for include dry, cracked skin around your child’s joints and nails that have become ridged, pitted, thick, or discolored.
Early symptoms of psoriasis can occur on any part of your child’s body, but they are most likely to occur on their trunk, scalp, or folds of skin like the elbows or behind their knees. Plaques can affect a small or large area of the body and can affect more than one area of the body at a time.
Psoriasis symptoms can be distressing for both you and your child, but recognizing early symptoms of psoriasis makes managing the condition much easier.
What is the Best Treatment for Psoriasis in Children?
The goal of psoriasis treatment, whether you’re treating psoriasis in teens, children, or adults, is to remove scales and stop skin cells from growing so quickly to prevent more plaques and scales from forming. There are a number of treatment options available for pediatric psoriasis and symptoms that develop as your child ages, and your dermatologist will work with you to determine the best treatment plan for your child as they grow.
Topical steroids are often used to decrease or stop inflammation. If your child’s psoriasis affects their face, your dermatologist is likely to recommend a calcineurin inhibitor rather than a topical steroid, though this type of cream cannot be used long term.
Light therapy can be used to treat psoriasis in children and teens if their symptoms are mild to severe. Excessive exposure to light can actually trigger psoriasis symptoms, so it’s important to follow the dermatologist’s instructions for light therapy to be effective.
In some cases, your dermatologist may prescribe oral medications to help manage symptoms. What works for one person, may not work for another. So your dermatologist may change your child’s treatment or combine treatment methods to find a treatment plan that best manages your child’s psoriasis symptoms.
As a parent, you want to know what else you can do to help your child. Finding the right doctor is an important step. You’ll want to find a dermatologist trained in treating pediatric psoriasis, like our own pediatric dermatologist, Elizabeth Froelich, MD, FAAD. Not only is Dr. Froelich highly experienced and trained in the novel therapies offered to patients in our Psoriasis Treatment Center, but she’s trained to perform skin exams and procedures efficiently and gently on even the youngest children and babies.
Navigating psoriasis in children and teens can be challenging, but there is hope for managing symptoms effectively. With expert guidance from a dermatologist trained in pediatric psoriasis, you and your child can find effective ways to manage flare-ups, reduce discomfort, and build confidence. If you suspect your child may have psoriasis, you can reach us at 412-429-2570 or visit our contact page to book your appointment in the greater Pittsburgh, PA area. You can also follow us on Facebook to see what’s new in the world of dermatology.