Doctors often have to diagnose psoriasis in children. This disease occupies one of the leading positions among inflammatory skin diseases in children, which have a chronic form. Signs of psoriasis can appear in children of any age. This pathology is often observed even in newborns.
The reason for appearing
Modern medicine is still unable to accurately name the causes that affect the occurrence and development of the disease. During the course of many studies, experts were able to discover that genetics plays an important role in this process. The following stats have been revealed:
- If one of the baby's parents has psoriasis, there is a 50% chance that he will show signs of a painful condition;
- If both parents have psoriasis, the probability increases to 70%.
The development of clinical symptoms of psoriasis in children is often observed due to the exposure of the child's body to the following factors:
- Psycho-emotional experience;
- Physical overload;
- infectious diseases;
- Allergic reaction.
Any ill effect on the delicate body of the baby leads to such unpleasant consequences.
In a healthy person, there is a natural process of exfoliation that has passed its life cycle. If there is a failure in this process, then skin particles simply begin to accumulate on its surface. As a result, special arrays are formed, which can increase in size and grow.
Symptom
Psoriasis in children is recognized by the characteristic symptoms of this disease. First, the skin appears red. It is localized in the fold area. Then, swelling of the epidermis layers and their desquamation is observed. As a rule, in children older than 2 years, they begin to peel vigorously.
If psoriasis appears on the nails, the child will have small indentations in the nail resin. Similar physical lesions occur in a third of children with this condition.
Psoriatic skin lesions, visible on the head, cause severe redness. The patches cover the forehead, cheeks, ears, and eyelids. Peeling at the hairline is also not ruled out. If the disease continues to progress, gray scales will appear under the hair. However, their loss was not observed. This painful symptom is absent even in severe psoriasis.
In some children, psoriasis is detected on the mucous membranes of the mouth and tongue. This area is covered with nasty spots, which change color and shape over time.
Patches of skin always cause intense pain and itching. The rash can peel 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 children, in its symptoms, begins to resemble the 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 a primary rash on the skin. Quite often, adults mistake it for a common allergy or diabetes. In children under two years of age, the first stage is accompanied by redness. The rash is easily recognizable because it looks like small red bumps. Within a few days, the rash should be smooth. After they are gradually covered with gray scales;
progressive
At this stage, the child develops a rapid rash on the 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 adjacent areas, meanwhile, just grow. The skin gradually becomes inflamed and begins to itch. At this stage, the disease usually lasts from 2 weeks to several months;
Freeze
Psoriasis in children continues to progress. His symptoms became more apparent. The old arrays stopped growing. They are replaced by new rashes. The flaking is increasing. The duration of this period is not specified by the timeframes;
Draw back
The signs of peeling partially disappeared in the child. The arrays become much smaller. They leave visible scars. With a successful result, areas begin to form with pigmentation that is different from the natural skin color. Over time, they completely disappear.
The duration of an individual developmental stage of psoriasis in 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 thematic photographs you can see the features expressed in the skin of each of them. The disease is classified depending on the symptoms and localization of the scales.
Psoriasis movie
It is diagnosed in children less than 1 year old. The rash usually affects the buttocks area. They arise due to the frequent contact of the skin with the natural secretions of the baby and by rubbing with the diaper. The skin in this area is so irritated that it is difficult for doctors to recognize psoriasis. Some parents don't even notice the problem, because they consider rashes for common dermatitis.
Plaque psoriasis
This is a common skin disease. Its characteristic feature is red spots that cover various parts of the child's body. At first they were small in size. These spots grow very quickly. After they start to peel off.
From above, the rash is covered with a scab, which easily separates from the skin. Usually they appear on the head, knees and in the bend of the elbow.
Intestinal psoriasis
With this form of the disease, the child's body is covered with numerous rashes, which in their form resemble drops of water. They are small and round in shape. Papules form on the surface of the skin. They are characterized by severe flaking. The rash can occur on any part of the body. In the absence of favorable factors for its further development, psoriasis stops progressing and disappears. In other cases, it develops into another form of the disease.
Generalized pustular psoriasis
This form of childhood psoriasis comes on suddenly. In the short term, it affects large areas of the skin. They become very inflamed and covered with painful sores. The child is often tormented by pain in the area where the rash has accumulated.
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 internal organs. The kidneys and heart are 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 has been observed only in rare cases.
There are obvious signs of psoriasis in children. The pustular form of the disease is accompanied by swelling of the skin and covered with small bubbles filled with non-infectious fluid. Another symptom of this type of psoriasis is inflammation of the lymph nodes.
Skin psoriasis
A rather dangerous and unpredictable form of psoriasis. It 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 damaged area. Large areas of the epidermis begin to slough off over time. If the child is very young, he may not survive the condition.
Psoriasis of curved surfaces
From the names of many diseases, one can understand that it affects the flexural areas of the body. The rash usually occurs on the groin, genitals, and inner thighs. The skin is covered with red spots. They are smooth and do not peel.
Arthritis psoriasis
This form of the disease affects the joints. Psoriasis is recognized by symptoms such as muscle stiffness, swelling of the fingers. The joints started to hurt a lot. In some cases, children develop conjunctivitis.
Most types of psoriasis are very similar in their clinical picture. Therefore, without consulting a doctor, it is difficult to determine what form of disease the child has.
Diagnose
If your child has an itchy rash on the head or other parts of the body, take the child to a specialist immediately. With such symptoms, it is necessary to consult a dermatologist. He will be able to make a diagnosis after examining the entire patient and listening to his complaints. The doctor will order a histological examination of the baby. To do this, a small sample of the affected tissue will be taken from him. The results of laboratory analysis will help the dermatologist make an accurate diagnosis for the child. He will then be prescribed treatment to ease the pain.
Treatment
Therapeutic therapy, the action of which is aimed at eliminating the signs of psoriasis in young children, can be done at home or in a hospital. The latter option is optimal if the patient has an advanced stage of the disease.
It is necessary to learn how to treat psoriasis from a dermatologist, who monitors the child's condition. He may recommend a course of treatment based on the following drugs:
- Sedation and desensitization. You will need a solution of calcium gluconate (5%) or a solution of calcium chloride (10%). This must be done 3 times a day. The drug is taken in the form of a teaspoon or a tablespoon, depending on the doctor's recommendations. Intramuscular injections based on calcium gluconate solution (10%) are also prescribed. It is necessary to undergo at least 10 procedures;
- Antihistamines. They help to get rid of severe itchiness. These drugs are given in series, each lasting up to 10 days;
- Vitamin. 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 injected him. The introduction of vitamin B12 intramuscularly is shown. Inside has 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 optimal results, approximately 8 injections are required.
Traditional medicine offers children diagnosed with psoriasis to participate in intensive treatment courses. With such a diagnosis, ultraviolet radiation and hot baths will help. Also, don't skip topical preparations. Healing ointments and creams help soften the skin and relieve itching.
Folk remedies
Individual medications that help with psoriasis may be contraindicated in children. Then, parents and their doctors have to choose safer therapies for younger patients, which will achieve positive results. In such situations, traditional treatments will be of great help. You can ease your baby's condition in the following ways:
- German chamomile skin care cream. They must be applied to the places of accumulation of a large number of painful rashes;
- Salt bath. They have a healing and disinfecting effect on wounds formed on the skin;
- Hot tea with the addition of medicinal herbs. Such a drink is best prepared from dandelion root, burdock, currant, sarsaparilla and pear oil;
- Activated carbon. It removes harmful substances from the body and thus prevents the formation of new patches on the head, legs, hands and other parts of the body. Drug-based solutions should be taken 2 hours before meals. Such a course of treatment should last at least 40 days;
- Coniferous royal lien. It is taken orally. This utensil is made from 1 glass of water and 1 tbsp. l. chopped tree. Before drinking, the drink should be allowed to infuse for about 40 minutes. Take folk medicine 2 times per day.
A child with psoriasis must follow a special diet. His diet should include vegetable and fruit juices, fresh herbs, fish and turkey meat.
We strongly recommend giving up animal products that are enriched with large amounts of fat. The patient must adhere to an optimal oral regimen. He should drink about 8 glasses a day.
Prevent
A large number of people infected with psoriasis lead completely normal lives. But many people still worry about their appearance. This issue is of particular concern to children. Because of this disease, the child can become depressed and live a secluded life. Therefore, what measures should parents take to protect their beloved children from such an unpleasant disease.
Preventing the formation of psoriatic rashes on the skin helps maintain a consistent lifestyle. It is necessary to provide children with a proper rest, sleep and eating regimen. He should avoid hypothermia and prolonged exposure to the sun. Also contraindicated is the use of soaps and quick-drying lotions.
As a rule, psoriasis manifested in young children is rarely serious. Therefore, depending on the timely provision of medical care to the patient, he manages to get rid of the signs of the pathological process quickly and permanently. In order for the baby to recover, it needs to be completely protected from the factors that provoke the progression of psoriasis.