Doctors often have to diagnose psoriasis in children. This disease occupies one of the leading places among children with chronic dermatitis. Signs of psoriasis can appear in children of any age. This pathology is often observed even in neonates.
Reasons for appearance
Modern medicine is still unable to name the exact causes that influence the onset and development of the disease. Numerous studies have shown that inheritance plays an important role in this process. The following statistics have been released:
- If one of the baby’s parents has psoriasis, there is a 50% chance of showing signs of a painful condition;
- If both parents suffer from psoriasis, the probability of this increases to 70%.
The development of clinical signs of psoriasis in children is usually observed as a result of exposure to the following factors:
- Psycho-emotional experiences;
- Physical overload;
- infectious diseases;
- Allergic reactions.
Any adverse effects on the baby’s fragile body can lead to such unpleasant consequences.
In a healthy person, there is a natural exfoliation of dead cells that have already passed through their life cycle. If this process fails, the skin particles will simply start to accumulate on its surface. As a result, specific plaques are formed that are able to grow and grow.
Symptoms
Psoriasis in children is recognized by the symptoms of the disease. First, redness appears on the skin. It is localized in the area of the drive. Thereafter, swelling and exfoliation of the epidermal layers are observed. They are usually severely detached in children older than 2 years.
If psoriasis has appeared on the nails, the child will have small depressions in the plastic of the nail. Similar body lesions occur in one-third of infants with this pathology.
Psoriatic skin lesions on the head cause severe redness. Plaques cover the forehead, faces, ears, and eyelids. Exfoliation of the skin on the hairline is not excluded. As the disease progresses, gray scales appear under the hair. However, their loss is not observed. This painful symptom does not occur even with severe psoriasis.
In some children, psoriasis is found on the mucous membranes of the mouth and tongue. This area is covered with unpleasant spots that change color and shape from time to time.
Skin plaques always cause pain and severe itching. The rash can peel and crack, causing ulcers and bleeding. This is a very dangerous condition as the infection easily penetrates the cracks. After about 10 years, psoriasis in children, symptoms, and adults begin to resemble signs of the disease.
Stages of development
With a standard course, a skin condition always goes through several stages of development:
The initial
It is characterized by the appearance of primary rashes on the skin. Adults are often confused with a common allergy or diathesis. In children under two years of age, the initial stage is accompanied by redness. The rash is easily recognizable as it looks like a limited reddish tinge to acne. Within a few days, the rash is smooth. After they are gradually covered with gray scales;
advanced
At this stage, the rash on the child's head and other parts of the body increases rapidly. They are starting to melt into one. Exfoliation is observed only in the central elements of the rash. The side zones, meanwhile, are only growing. The skin gradually becomes inflamed and itchy. At this stage, the disease usually lasts from 2 weeks to several months;
Stationary
Psoriasis continues to develop in children. His symptoms are becoming more pronounced. The growth of old plaques stops. They are being replaced by new rashes. Exfoliation intensifies. The duration of this section is not indicated by the time frames;
Decreasing
The signs of exfoliation partially disappear in the child. The plaques will be much smaller. They leave visible scars. With successful results, zones begin to form with pigmentation different from the natural color of the skin. Over time, they will completely disappear.
The duration of a distinct developmental stage of psoriasis in young children depends on how the disease progresses and whether measures are taken to eradicate it.
Types
There can be different types of psoriasis in children. In the thematic photos, you can see the characteristics of the manifestation on the skin of each of them. The disease is classified according to the symptoms and the localization of the scales.
Psoriasis film
It is diagnosed in children under 1 year of age. The rash usually affects the gluteal region. They are caused by the skin’s constant contact with the baby’s natural secretions and rubbing with the diaper. The skin in this area is severely irritated, so doctors barely recognize psoriasis. Some parents do not even pay attention to this problem as the rash is taken for normal dermatitis.
Plaque psoriasis
This is a common form of skin pathology. Its characteristic features are red spots that cover different parts of the child’s body. They are small at first. These spots grow very quickly. After they start to detach.
From the top, the rash is covered with a layer of scales that can be easily separated from the skin. They most commonly appear on the head, knees, and elbows.
Guttate psoriasis
With this form of the disease, the child's body is covered with a number of rashes that resemble drops in their form. They are small and rounded in shape. The formed papules are located above the surface of the skin. They are characterized by strong exfoliation. The rash can occur in any part of the body. If there is no advantage for further development, the scaling will stop and go away. Under other conditions, the disease develops into another form.
Generalized pustular psoriasis
Psoriasis occurs suddenly in children in this form. It affects large areas of the skin in a short time. They become very inflamed and covered with painful ulcers. The child is constantly tormented by pain in the area where the rash builds up.
This form of the disease is considered one of the most dangerous as it can cause serious complications. This type of psoriasis can even lead to damage to the internal organs. Its negative effects mostly affect the kidneys and heart.
Pustular psoriasis
It is diagnosed in children as young as 7 years old. In young children, this form of psoriasis is rare.
There are quite pronounced signs of psoriasis in children. The pustular form of the disease is accompanied by swelling of the skin and is covered with small bubbles filled with non-infectious fluid. Another symptom of this type of psoriasis is inflammation of the lymph nodes.
Erythrodermic psoriasis
Psoriasis is a rather dangerous and unpredictable form. This leads to a violation of the body's thermoregulation. The disease is recognized by severe peeling and inflammation of the skin. The child is constantly tormented by itching and pain in the affected area. Most parts of the epidermis become detached over time. If the child is very small, they may not survive this condition.
The bending surfaces are psoriasis
From the name of the type of disease, it is understood that it affects the zones of flexion of the body. The rash usually occurs in the groin, genitals and the inside of the thigh. The skin is covered with red spots. They are smooth and do not peel off.
Arthropathic psoriasis
This form of the disease affects the joints. Psoriatic pathology is recognized by symptoms such as muscle stiffness, swelling of the fingers, and swelling. The joints start to hurt a lot. In some cases, the child develops conjunctivitis.
Most psoriasis is very similar in its clinical picture. Therefore, it is very difficult to determine which disease a child is suffering from without consulting a doctor.
Diagnostics
If painful rashes occur on the child's head or other parts of the body, they should be reported to a specialist immediately. In case of such symptoms, a dermatologist should be consulted. After a full examination of the patient and listening to his or her complaints, he or she will be able to make a diagnosis. The doctor will prescribe a histological examination for the baby. To do this, a small sample is taken from the affected tissue. The results of the laboratory analysis will help the dermatologist make the correct diagnosis for the child. Thereafter, treatment is prescribed, which should alleviate the painful condition.
Treatment
Therapeutic therapy, which has the effect of eliminating the symptoms of psoriasis in a young child, can be performed at home or in a hospital. The latter option is most optimal if the patient has a progressive stage of the disease.
The treatment for psoriasis should be learned from a dermatologist who will monitor the child's condition. You can offer a therapeutic course based on the following drugs:
- Soothing and desensitizing. You should take calcium gluconate solution (5%) or calcium chloride solution (10%). This should be done 3 times a day. The medicine should be taken in a teaspoon or a tablespoon, depending on your doctor's recommendation. Intramuscular injections based on a solution of calcium gluconate (10%) are also prescribed. You must go through at least 10 procedures;
- Antihistamines. They help get rid of severe itching. These medications are taken in courses, each lasting up to 10 days;
- Vitamins. Children are usually prescribed ascorbic acid, which should be taken three times a day, up to a maximum of 0. 1 g. Pyridoxine solution (up to 5%) is also used. They give him injections. Intramuscular administration of vitamin B12 is shown. Take vitamin B15 and potassium orotate inside;
- Pyrogenic. They are needed to stimulate the body's defense mechanisms. They can be used to normalize vascular permeability and eliminate mitotic activity in the skin layers. Approximately 8 courses of injection are required to achieve optimal results.
Traditional medicine offers children diagnosed with psoriasis to take active therapy courses. In such a diagnosis, ultraviolet radiation and hot baths help. Do not ignore local preparations either. Healing ointments and creams soften the skin and reduce itching.
Folk remedies
Individual medications to help cure psoriasis are contraindicated in children. Then, their parents and doctors need to choose safer therapy for young patients that achieves positive results. In such situations, traditional treatment methods work well. You can alleviate your baby's condition in the following ways:
- German chamomile creams. It should be used in places where a large number of painful rashes accumulate;
- Salt baths. They have a healing effect and disinfect wounds on the skin;
- Hot tea with the addition of herbs. Such a drink is best made from dandelion root, burdock, grapes, sarsaparilla, and pear balm;
- Activated carbon. It removes harmful substances from the body and thus prevents the formation of new plaques on the head, legs, arms and other parts of the body. The medicine-based solution should be taken 2 hours before a meal. Such treatment should last for at least 40 days;
- Celandine tincture. It should be taken orally. The tool is made of 1 glass of water and 1 tablespoon. l. shredded plant. The drink should be infused over approximately 40 minutes before drinking. Take folk medicine 2 times a day.
Children with psoriasis should follow a special diet. Your diet should include vegetable and fruit juices, fresh herbs, fish and turkey.
It is strongly recommended to omit products of animal origin enriched with a large amount of fat. The patient should follow the optimal drinking regimen. You should drink about 8 glasses a day.
Prevention
A large number of people infected with psoriasis live completely normal lives. But many are still worried about their appearance. This problem particularly affects children. Due to the illness, the child may become depressed and close to himself. Therefore, parents should take all measures to protect their beloved child from such an unpleasant illness.
Preventing the development of rashes caused by psoriasis on the skin helps maintain a proper lifestyle. Adequate rest, sleep and a balanced diet for the child should be ensured. Hypothermia and prolonged sun exposure should be avoided. The use of quick-drying soaps and body lotions is also contraindicated.
Psoriasis in young children is usually rare. Therefore, depending on the timely medical care of the patient, it quickly and permanently gets rid of the signs of the pathological process. In order for the baby to recover, it must be completely protected from the factors that cause the progression of the psoriatic disease.