Psoriasis in children often needs to be diagnosed. This disease occupies one of the leading positions among children's dermatitis, which has a chronic form. Signs of psoriasis can appear in a child of any age. This pathology is often observed even in newborns.
Reasons for appearing
Modern medicine still cannot name the exact causes that affect the occurrence and development of the disease. Experts have been able to find out in numerous studies that heredity plays an important role in this. The following statistics were revealed:
- If one of the baby's parents has psoriasis, there is a 50% chance that they 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 a child is usually observed as a result of exposure to the child's body by such factors:
- psycho-emotional experiences;
- physical overload;
- infectious diseases;
- Allergic reaction.
Any adverse effect on the baby's fragile body leads to such unpleasant consequences.
In a healthy person there is a natural exfoliation of dead cells that have already completed their life cycle. When this process fails, skin particles simply start accumulating on its surface. As a result, peculiar plaques are formed, which can increase in size and grow.
symptoms
Psoriasis in children is recognized by the symptoms characteristic of this disease. First, redness appears on the skin. It is localized in the fold area. After that, swelling of the layers of the epidermis and their detachment are observed. As a rule, in children over 2 years old, they begin to severely peel off.
If psoriasis has appeared on the nails, the child will have small indentations in the plastic of the nails. Similar body lesions occur in a third of babies suffering from this pathology.
A psoriatic skin lesion observed on the head causes intense redness. Plaques cover the forehead, cheeks, ears, and eyelids. Peeling of the skin at the hairline is not excluded. As the disease progresses, gray scales appear under the hair. However, their loss is not observed. This painful symptom is absent even in severe psoriasis.
In some children, psoriasis is found on the mucous membrane of the mouth and tongue. This area is littered with unsightly spots that change color and shape over time.
Skin plaques always cause pain and severe itching. The rashes may peel and crack, causing sores and bleeding. This is a very dangerous condition, since the infection easily penetrates the cracks. After about 10 years, psoriasis in a child begins to look like signs of the disease in adults in its symptoms.
stages of development
In 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. Very often adults confuse it with an ordinary allergy or diathesis. In children under two years old, the initial stage is accompanied by redness. The rash is easy to spot because it looks like circumscribed reddish pimples. Within a few days, the rashes are smooth. After gradually being covered with gray scales;
progressive
At this stage, a rash quickly grows on the child'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 side zones, on the other hand, simply grow. 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. His symptoms become more pronounced. Old plaques stop growing. They are replaced by new rashes. The peeling intensifies. The duration of this phase is not specified by time frames;
Regressive
The signs of peeling partially disappear in the child. The plaques become much smaller. They leave visible scars. With a successful result, zones with pigmentation deviating from the natural color of the skin begin to form. Over time, they disappear completely.
The duration of a separate stage of development of psoriasis in young children depends on how the disease progresses and whether measures are taken to eliminate it.
species
Psoriasis in children can be of different types. On thematic photos you can see the features of the manifestation on the skin of each of them. The disease is classified depending on the symptoms and the location of the scales.
film psoriasis
It is diagnosed in children who are less than 1 year old. The rash usually affects the buttocks region. They are formed as a result of the constant contact of the skin with the baby's natural secretions and rubbing with a diaper. The skin in this area is severely irritated, making it difficult for doctors to identify psoriasis. Some parents don't even pay attention to this problem, mistaking the rash for ordinary dermatitis.
plaque psoriasis
This is a common form of skin pathology. Its distinctive features are red spots covering various parts of the child's body. At first they are small. These spots grow very quickly. After they start to separate.
From above, the rashes are covered with a layer of scales that are easily detached from the skin. They most commonly appear on the head, knees, and crook of the elbow.
guttate psoriasis
With this form of the disease, the child's body is covered with numerous rashes that resemble droplets in shape. They are small and have a rounded shape. Formed papules are located above the skin surface. They are characterized by strong peeling. A rash can appear in 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 another form of the disease.
Generalized pustular psoriasis
Psoriasis in children of this form appears suddenly. In a short time it affects large areas of the skin. They become very inflamed and covered with painful sores. The child is constantly tormented by pain in the area of \u200b\u200bthe accumulation of rashes.
This form of the disease is considered one of the most dangerous, as it can cause serious complications. This form of psoriasis can even damage internal organs. The kidneys and heart are most affected by its negative influence.
Pustular psoriasis
It is diagnosed in children as young as 7 years old. In young children, this form of psoriasis is seen 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 vesicles filled with non-infectious fluid. Another symptom of this type of psoriasis is inflammation of the lymph nodes.
Erythrodermic 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 off over time. If the child is very small, they may not survive this condition.
Psoriasis of the flexor surfaces
From the name of the type of the disease one can understand that it affects the zones of the bends of the body. Rashes usually appear on the groin, genitals, and inner 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. Psoriasis pathology is recognized by symptoms such as muscle stiffness, swelling and swelling of the fingers. The joints start to hurt badly. In some cases, the child develops conjunctivitis.
Most forms of psoriasis are very similar in their symptoms. Therefore, without consulting a doctor, it is very difficult to determine what form of the disease a child has.
diagnosis
If a child has painful rashes on the head or other parts of the body, they should be shown to a specialist immediately. With such symptoms, a consultation with a dermatologist is required. He can make a diagnosis after a complete examination of the patient and listening to his complaints. The doctor will prescribe a histological examination for the baby. A small sample of the affected tissue is taken from him. The result of the laboratory analysis will help the dermatologist to make the correct diagnosis for the child. After that, he will be prescribed a treatment designed to relieve the painful condition.
treatment
Therapeutic therapy, the action of which is aimed at eliminating the signs of psoriasis in a young child, can be carried out at home or in a hospital. The latter option is 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 will monitor the condition of the child. He can offer therapy based on the following drugs:
- Calming and desensitizing. You must take a calcium gluconate (5%) solution or a calcium chloride (10%) solution. This must be done 3 times a day. The drug is taken in a teaspoon or a tablespoon, 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 lasting up to 10 days;
- vitamins. As a rule, children are prescribed ascorbic acid, which must be taken up to 0. 1 g three times a day, a solution of pyridoxine (up to 5%) is also used. They give him injections. Intramuscular introduction of vitamin B12 is shown. Inside, take vitamin B15 and potassium orotate;
- pyrogen. They are necessary to stimulate the body's defense mechanisms. With their help, it is possible to normalize vascular permeability and eliminate the mitotic activity of skin layers. Approximately 8 injection cycles are required for optimal results.
Traditional medicine offers active therapy courses to children who are diagnosed with psoriasis. With such a diagnosis, ultraviolet radiation and hot baths will help. Don't neglect topical preparations either. Healing ointments and creams help soften the skin and relieve itching.
home remedies
Individual drugs that help cure psoriatic disease may be contraindicated in children. Then their parents and doctors have to choose a safer therapy for young patients that will give a positive result. In such situations, traditional methods of treatment help well. You can alleviate the baby's condition in the following ways:
- German chamomile lotions. They need to be applied to places where a lot of painful rashes accumulate.
- salt baths. They have a healing effect and disinfect wounds formed on the skin;
- Hot tea with added medicinal herbs. Such a drink is best prepared from dandelion root, burdock, grapes, sarsaparilla and pear balm;
- activated charcoalIt removes harmful substances from the body, thereby stopping 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 is 1 glass of water and 1 tbsp. l. crushed plant. Before drinking, the drink should steep for about 40 minutes. Take folk remedies 2 times a day.
A child with psoriasis needs to follow a special diet. His diet should include vegetable and fruit juices, fresh herbs, fish and turkey meat.
It is strongly recommended to avoid animal products that are enriched with a lot of fat. The patient must adhere to the optimal drinking regime. He should drink about 8 glasses a day.
prevention
Very many people who are infected with psoriasis lead completely normal lives. But many still worry about their appearance. This problem mainly affects children. Because of the illness, the child may become depressed and close himself off. Therefore, parents should take all measures to protect their beloved child from such an unpleasant disease.
Preventing the formation of psoriasis rashes on the skin helps maintain a decent lifestyle. It is necessary to provide the child with adequate rest, sleep and a balanced diet. He should avoid hypothermia and prolonged exposure to the sun. Also contraindicated is the use of quick-drying soaps and lotions.
As a rule, psoriasis that manifests itself in a young child is rarely serious. Therefore, subject to the timely medical care of the patient, he manages to quickly and permanently eliminate the signs of the pathological process. In order for the baby to recover, it should be fully protected from the factors that provoke the progression of the psoriasis disease.