Doctors often have to diagnose psoriasis in children. This disease occupies one of the leading positions among childhood dermatitis, which have a chronic form. The signs of psoriasis can appear in a child of any age. This pathology is often observed even in newborns.
Reasons for appearance
Modern medicine is not yet able to name the exact causes affecting the appearance and development of the disease. In the course of numerous studies, experts have been able to discover that heredity plays an important role in this process. The following statistics were found:
- If one of the child's parents has psoriasis, there is a 50% chance that they will show signs of a painful condition;
- If both parents have psoriasis, the likelihood increases to 70%.
The development of clinical symptoms of psoriasis in a child is usually observed as a result of exposure to the child's body of such factors:
- Psycho-emotional experiences;
- physical overload;
- infectious diseases;
- Allergic reactions.
Any negative effect on the fragile body of the child leads to such unpleasant consequences.
In a healthy person, there is a natural exfoliation of dead cells that have already passed their life cycle. If an error occurs in this process, the particles of skin simply begin to accumulate on its surface. As a result, peculiar plaques are formed, which are able to increase in size and grow.
Symptoms
Psoriasis in children is recognized by the characteristic symptoms of this disease. First, redness appears on the skin. It is located in the crease area. Subsequently, the swelling of the layers of the epidermis and their exfoliation is observed. As a rule, in children over 2 years of age, they begin to peel off strongly.
If psoriasis has appeared on the nails, the child will have small depressions in the plastic of the nail. Similar bodily injuries occur in one third of children who are ill with this pathology.
A psoriatic skin lesion seen on the head causes severe redness. The plates cover the forehead, cheeks, ears and eyelids. Peeling of the skin on the hairline is not excluded. If the disease continues to progress, gray scales will appear under the hair. However, their loss is not observed. This painful symptom is absent even in severe psoriasis.
In some children, psoriasis is detected on the mucous membrane of the mouth and tongue. This area is covered with unsightly spots, which from time to time change color and shape.
Skin plaques always cause pain and severe itching. The rashes can peel off and crack, causing sores and bleeding. This is a very dangerous condition, as the infection easily penetrates the cracks. After about 10 years, psoriasis in a child, in its symptoms, begins to look like signs of the disease in adults.
Stages of development
With a standard course, a skin disease always goes through several stages of its development:
Initial
It is characterized by the appearance of primary rashes on the skin. Quite often, adults mistake it for a common allergy or diathesis. In children under the age of two, the initial stage is accompanied by redness. The rash is easily recognized because it resembles limited pimples of a reddish hue. In a few days, the rashes are smooth. After they are gradually covered with gray scales;
progressive
At this stage, there is a rapid growth of a rash on the baby's head and other parts of the body. They begin to merge into one. Peeling is observed only on the central elements of the rash. The lateral zones, meanwhile, grow. The skin gradually becomes inflamed and itchy. At this stage, the disease usually lasts from 2 weeks to several months;
Stationary
Psoriasis in children continues to progress. Its symptoms become more pronounced. The old plaques stop growing. They are replaced by new rashes. Peeling intensifies. The duration of this phase is not indicated by timing;
Regressive
The signs of peeling partially disappear in the baby. The plaques become much smaller. They leave visible scars behind. With a positive outcome, areas with pigmentation that differ from the natural color of the skin begin to form. Over time, they completely disappear.
The duration of a separate stage of psoriasis development in young children depends on how the disease progresses and whether measures are taken to eliminate it.
types
Psoriasis in children can be of different types. On the thematic photos you can see the features of the manifestation on the skin of each of them. The disease is classified according to the symptoms and the location of the scales.
Film psoriasis
It is diagnosed in children who are not yet 1 year old. The rash usually affects the buttock region. They arise due to constant contact of the skin with the natural secretions of the baby and from rubbing with a diaper. The skin in this area is very irritated, so doctors can hardly recognize psoriasis. Some parents do not even pay attention to this problem, as they take the rash for ordinary dermatitis.
Plaque psoriasis
This is a common form of skin disease. Its characteristics are the red spots that cover different parts of the baby's body. At first they are small in size. These spots grow very fast. After they start peeling off.
From above, the rashes are covered with a layer of scales, which easily separate from the skin. Most often they appear on the head, knees and in the crook of the elbows.
Guttate psoriasis
With this form of the disease, the child's body is covered with numerous rashes, which in their form resemble droplets. They are small and have a rounded shape. The formed papules are above the surface of the skin. They are characterized by strong flaking. A rash can occur anywhere on the body. In the absence of a favorable factor for its further development, psoriasis ceases to progress and disappears. In other circumstances, it develops into a different form of the disease.
Generalized pustular psoriasis
Psoriasis in children of this form occurs suddenly. In a short time it affects large areas of the skin. They become very inflamed and covered with painful ulcers. The child is constantly tormented by pain in the area of accumulation of rashes.
This form of the disease is considered one of the most dangerous, as it can cause serious complications. This type of psoriasis can also cause damage to internal organs. The kidneys and heart are the most affected by its negative influence.
Pustular psoriasis
It is diagnosed in children who are already 7 years old. In young children, this form of psoriasis is observed only in rare cases.
There are fairly pronounced signs of psoriasis in children. The pustular form of the disease is accompanied by swelling of the skin and its covering with small bubbles filled with non-infectious fluid. Another symptom of this type of psoriasis is inflammation of the lymph nodes.
Erythrodermal psoriasis
A rather dangerous and unpredictable form of psoriasis. It leads to a violation of the thermoregulation of the body. 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. Large areas of the epidermis begin to flake over time. If the child is very young, he may not survive this condition.
Flexion surface psoriasis
From the name of the variety of the disease, it can be understood that it affects the curved zones of the body. Rashes usually occur in the groin, genitals and 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 disease is recognized by symptoms such as muscle stiffness, swelling and swelling of the fingers. The joints start to hurt a lot. In some cases, the child develops conjunctivitis.
Most types of psoriasis are very similar to each other in the clinical picture. Therefore, without consulting a doctor, it is very difficult to determine what form of the disease a child suffers from.
Diagnostics
If a child has painful rashes on the head or other parts of the body, it should be immediately shown to a specialist. With such symptoms, a consultation with a dermatologist is required. He will be able to make a diagnosis after a thorough examination of the patient and listening to her complaints. The doctor will prescribe a histological examination for the baby. To do this, a small sample of the affected tissue will be taken. The result of the laboratory analysis will help the dermatologist make the correct diagnosis for the baby. After that, he will be prescribed a treatment, which is supposed to relieve the painful condition.
Treatment
Therapeutic therapy, the action of which is aimed at eliminating the signs of psoriasis in a small child, can be carried out at home or in the hospital. The latter option is the most optimal if the patient has a progressive stage of the disease.
It is necessary to learn how to treat psoriasis from a dermatologist who monitors the condition of the child. It can offer a therapy course based on the following drugs:
- Sedative and desensitizer. You will need to take a calcium gluconate solution (5%) or a calcium chloride solution (10%). This needs to be done 3 times a day. The drug is taken in a teaspoon or a spoon, depending on the doctor's recommendation. Intramuscular injections based on a solution of calcium gluconate (10%) are also prescribed. It is necessary to undergo at least 10 procedures;
- Antihistamines. They help get rid of severe itching. These drugs are taken in courses, each of which lasts up to 10 days;
- Vitamins. Usually children are prescribed ascorbic acid, which must be taken 3 times a day up to 0. 1 g A solution of pyridoxine (up to 5%) is also used. They give him injections. The introduction of vitamin B12 intramuscularly is shown. Inside take vitamin B15 and potassium orotate;
- pyrogenic. They are needed to stimulate the body's defense mechanisms. With their help, it is possible to normalize vascular permeability and eliminate the mitotic activity of the skin layers. For best results, approximately 8 injection cycles are required.
Traditional medicine offers children diagnosed with psoriasis to undergo courses of active therapy. With such a diagnosis, ultraviolet radiation and hot baths help. Also, don't neglect topical preparations. Healing ointments and creams help soften the skin and reduce itching.
Folk remedies
Individual drugs that help treat psoriatic disease may be contraindicated in children. So their parents and doctors have to select a safer therapy for young patients, which will get a positive result. In such situations, traditional methods of treatment help well. You can alleviate the condition of the baby in the following ways:
- German chamomile lotions. They need to be applied to places where a large number of painful rashes accumulate;
- Salt baths. They have a healing effect and disinfect wounds formed on the skin;
- Hot tea with the addition of medicinal herbs. Such a drink is best prepared with dandelion root, burdock, grapes, sarsaparilla and lemon balm;
- Activated carbon. It removes harmful substances from the body and thus blocks the formation of new plaques on the head, legs, arms and other parts of the body. The drug solution should be taken 2 hours before meals. The course of such treatment should last at least 40 days;
- Tincture of celandine. It is taken orally. The tool consists of 1 glass of water and 1 tbsp. L. shredded plant. Before drinking, the drink should be infused for about 40 minutes. Take folk medicine 2 times a day.
A child with psoriasis must have a special diet. His diet should include fruit and vegetable juices, fresh herbs, fish and turkey meat.
It is strongly recommended to abandon animal products that are enriched with a large amount of fat. The patient must adhere to the optimal consumption regimen. He should drink about 8 glasses a day.
Prevention
A huge number of people with psoriasis lead completely normal lives. But many are still worried about their appearance. This problem is of particular concern to children. Due to the disease, the child can become depressed and withdrawn. Therefore, parents should take any measures to protect their beloved child from such an unpleasant disease.
Preventing the formation of psoriatic rashes on the skin helps to maintain a correct lifestyle. It is necessary to provide the child with adequate rest, sleep and a balanced diet. It should avoid hypothermia and prolonged exposure to the sun. Contraindicated is also the use of quick-drying soaps and lotions.
As a rule, psoriasis that occurs in a child is rarely severe. Therefore, after timely provision of medical care to the patient, he manages to quickly and permanently get rid of the signs of the pathological process. In order for the child to recover, he should be fully protected from the factors provoking the progression of psoriatic disease.