Doctors often have to diagnose psoriasis in children. This disease occupies one of the leading places among children's dermatitis, which have a chronic form. Signs of psoriasis can occur in a child of any age. This pathology is often observed even in newborns.
Reasons for occurrence
Modern medicine is still unable to list the exact causes that affect the onset and development of the disease. Through numerous studies, experts have been able to discover that heritage plays an important role in this process. The following statistics were detected:
- If one of the baby's parents has psoriasis, there is a 50% chance that they will show signs of pain;
- If both parents have psoriasis, then the probability increases to 70%.
The development of clinical symptoms of psoriasis in a child is usually observed as a result of exposure of the child's body to the following factors:
- Psycho-emotional experiences;
- Physical overload;
- infectious diseases;
- Allergic reactions.
Any negative effect on the fragile body of the baby leads to such unpleasant consequences.
In a healthy person, there is a natural peeling of dead cells that have already passed their life cycle. If there is a failure in this process, then the skin particles simply start to accumulate on its surface. As a result, distinctive plaques are formed, which can grow and grow.
Symptoms
Psoriasis in children is recognized by the symptoms characteristic of this disease. Redness appears on the skin first. It is localized in the area of the fold. After that, swelling of the epidermal layers and their peeling is noticed. As a rule, in children older than 2 years they begin to peel strongly.
If psoriasis has appeared on the nails, then the child will have small indentations in the nail plastic. Similar lesions on the body occur in one third of babies who suffer from this pathology.
A psoriatic skin lesion, which is observed on the scalp, causes severe redness. Plaques cover the forehead, cheeks, ears and eyelids. Exfoliation 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 was not noticed. 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 unpleasant spots, which change color and shape from time to time.
Skin plaques always cause pain and severe itching. The rash can peel and crack, causing sores and bleeding. This is a very dangerous condition, because the infection easily penetrates into the cracks. After about 10 years, psoriasis in a child by its symptoms begins to look like signs of the disease in adults.
Stages of development
With the standard course, skin disease always goes through several stages of its development:
Initial
It is characterized by the appearance of primary skin rashes. Adults often mistakenly consider it a common allergy or diathesis. In children under the age of two, the initial stage is accompanied by redness. The rash is easily recognizable due to the fact that it looks like limited reddish pimples. Within a few days, the rash is smooth. After they are gradually covered with gray scales;
progressive
At this stage, there is a rapid growth of the rash on the head and other parts of the child's body. They begin to merge into one. Peeling is observed only on the central elements of the rash. The side zones, meanwhile, are only growing. The skin gradually becomes inflamed and begins to itch. 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. Old plaques stop growing. They are replaced by a new rash. Peeling intensifies. The duration of this phase is not indicated by time frames;
Regressive
Signs of peeling partially disappear in a child. Plaques become much smaller. They leave visible scars behind. With a successful outcome, zones with pigmentation different from the natural color of the skin begin to form. Over time, they disappear completely.
The duration of the 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. In the thematic photos you can see the characteristics of the manifestation on the skin of each of them. The disease is classified depending on the symptoms and localization of the scales.
Film psoriasis
It is diagnosed in children who have not yet turned one year old. The rash usually affects the gluteal region. They are caused by constant skin contact with the baby's natural secretions and by rubbing the 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, because they take the rash for ordinary 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 in the beginning. These points are growing very fast. Once they start peeling.
From above, the rash is covered with a layer of scales that are easily separated from the skin. They most often appear on the head, knees and elbows.
Guttate psoriasis
In this form of the disease, the child's body is covered with numerous rashes, which in their shape resemble drops. They are small and rounded. The papules formed are above the surface of the skin. They are characterized by strong peeling. The rash can appear on absolutely any part of the body. In the absence of a favorable factor for its further development, psoriasis stops progressing 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. It affects large areas of skin in a short period of time. They become very inflamed and covered with painful ulcers. The child is constantly tormented by pain in the area of accumulation of the rash.
This form of the disease is considered one of the most dangerous, because 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 impact.
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 quite pronounced signs of psoriasis in children. The pustular form of the disease is accompanied by swelling of the skin and its covering with small blisters filled with non-infectious fluid. Another symptom of this type of psoriasis is inflammation of the lymph nodes.
Erythrodermic psoriasis
Quite a dangerous and unpredictable form of psoriasis. 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. Large areas of the epidermis begin to peel off over time. If the child is very small, then he may not survive this condition.
Flexion surface psoriasis
From the name of the type of disease it can be understood that it affects the bending zones of the body. The rash usually occurs in the groin, genitals and inner thighs. The skin is covered with red spots. They are smooth and do not peel.
Arthropathic psoriasis
This form of the disease affects the joints. Psoriatic pathology 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 in their clinical picture. Therefore, it is very difficult to determine which form of the disease the child is suffering from without consulting a doctor.
Diagnosis
If a child has a painful rash on the head or other parts of the body, it should be shown to a specialist immediately. A dermatologist should be consulted with such symptoms. He will be able to make a diagnosis after a complete examination of the patient and hearing his complaints. The doctor will prescribe a histological examination for the baby. To do this, a small sample of the affected tissue will be taken from it. The result of the laboratory analysis will help the dermatologist to make the correct diagnosis for the child. After that, he will be prescribed treatment that should alleviate the painful condition.
Treatment
Therapeutic therapy, whose action is aimed at eliminating the signs of psoriasis in a young child, can be carried out at home or in hospital. The latter option is most optimal if the patient has a progressive stage of the disease.
How to treat psoriasis needs to be learned from a dermatologist who monitors the condition of the child. It can offer a course of therapy based on the following drugs:
- Sedative and desensitization. You will need to take a solution of calcium gluconate (5%) or a solution of calcium chloride (10%). This must be done 3 times a day. The medicine is taken in a teaspoon or a teaspoon, depending on the doctor's recommendation. Intramuscular injections based on calcium gluconate solution (10%) are also prescribed. At least 10 procedures need to be performed;
- Antihistamines. They help to get rid of severe itching. These drugs are taken in courses, each lasting up to 10 days;
- Vitamins. Usually children are prescribed ascorbic acid, which must be taken 3 times a day to 0, 1 g. Pyridoxine solution (up to 5%) is also used. They give him injections. Intramuscular administration of vitamin B12 has been shown. Take vitamin B15 and potassium orotate inside;
- Pyrogen. They are necessary for stimulating the body's defense mechanisms. With their help, it is possible to normalize vascular permeability and eliminate the mitotic activity of skin layers. About 8 courses of injections are needed for optimal results.
Traditional medicine offers children diagnosed with psoriasis to undergo courses of active therapy. Ultraviolet radiation and warm baths help with such a diagnosis. Also, do not neglect local preparations. Medicinal ointments and creams help soften the skin and reduce itching.
Folk remedies
Individual medications that help treat psoriasis may be contraindicated in children. Then their parents and doctors must choose a safer therapy for young patients, which will achieve a positive result. Traditional methods of treatment help well in such situations. You can alleviate your baby's condition in the following ways:
- German chamomile lotions. They must be applied to 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 prepared from the roots of dandelion, burdock, grape, sarsaparilla and pear;
- Activated carbon. It removes harmful substances from the body and thus stops the formation of new plaques on the head, legs, arms and other parts of the body. The drug-based solution should be taken 2 hours before meals. The course of such treatment should last at least 40 days;
- Celandine tincture. It is taken orally. The tool is made of 1 cup of water and 1 tbsp. l. chopped plant. Before drinking, the drink should stand for about 40 minutes. Take folk medicine 2 times a day.
A child with psoriasis must adhere to a special diet. His diet should include vegetable and fruit juices, fresh herbs, fish and turkey.
It is advisable to abandon animal products that are enriched with a large amount of fat. The patient must adhere to the optimal drinking regime. He should drink about 8 glasses a day.
Prevention
A huge number of people infected with psoriasis lead a completely normal life. But many are still worried about their appearance. This problem is of particular concern to children. Due to the disease, the child may become depressed and close in on himself. Therefore, parents should take all measures to protect their beloved child from such an unpleasant disease.
Preventing psoriatic skin rashes helps maintain a proper lifestyle. It is necessary to provide the child with proper rest, sleep and a balanced diet. Hypothermia and prolonged sun exposure should be avoided. The use of quick-drying soaps and lotions is also contraindicated.
As a rule, psoriasis that manifests itself in a young child is rarely severe. Therefore, with timely provision of medical care to the patient, he manages to quickly and permanently remove the signs of the pathological process. In order for the baby to recover, it should be completely protected from the factors that cause the progression of psoriasis.