Doctors often have to diagnose psoriasis in children. This disease occupies one of the leading positions among children's dermatitis, which have a chronic form. Signs of psoriasis can appear in a child of any age. This pathology is often observed even in newborn babies.
Reasons for the appearance
Modern medicine is not yet able to name the exact causes that affect the appearance and development of the disease. In the course of numerous studies, experts were able to find out that heredity plays an important role in this process. 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 of the child's body to such factors:
- psychoemotional experiences;
- Physical overload;
- infectious diseases;
- Allergic reactions.
Any adverse effect on the fragile body of the baby 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 there is a flaw in this process, the skin particles simply begin to accumulate on its surface. As a result of this, peculiar plaques are formed, which can 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 area of the fold. After that, the swelling of the layers of the epidermis and their exfoliation are observed. As a rule, in children older than 2 years, they begin to peel off strongly.
If psoriasis appeared on the nails, then the child will have small depressions on the plastic of the nails. Similar bodily injuries occur in a third of babies who are sick with this pathology.
A psoriatic skin lesion, seen on the head, causes intense redness. The plates cover the forehead, cheeks, ears, and eyelids. Peeling of the skin at the hairline is not excluded. If the disease continues to progress, gray scales will appear under the hair. However, its 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 unpleasant spots, which change color and shape from time to time.
Plaques on the skin always cause pain and severe itching. The rashes can 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, 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 primary rashes on the skin. Very often, adults confuse it with a common allergy or diathesis. In children under two years of age, the initial stage is accompanied by redness. The rash is easily recognized because it looks like limited pimples of a reddish hue. Within a few days, the rashes are smooth. After that they are gradually covered with gray scales;
progressive
At this stage, there is a rapid growth of a rash on the head and other parts of the child's body. They begin to merge into one. Peeling is observed only in the central elements of the rash. The lateral zones, meanwhile, do nothing but 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. Your symptoms become more pronounced. Old plaques stop growing. They are replaced by new eruptions. Peeling intensifies. The duration of this stage is not indicated by deadlines;
Regressive
The signs of desquamation partially disappear in the child. The plates become much smaller. They leave visible scars. With a successful result, areas with pigmentation different from the natural color of the skin begin to form. Over time, they completely disappear.
The duration of a separate stage of development of psoriasis in young children depends on how the disease develops 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 according to the symptoms and the location of the scales.
movie psoriasis
It is diagnosed in children who are not yet 1 year old. The rash usually affects the gluteal region. They arise from the constant contact of the skin with the baby's natural secretions and from rubbing against the diaper. The skin in this area is so irritated that doctors can barely recognize psoriasis. Some parents do not even pay attention to this problem, taking 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. At first they are small in size. These spots grow very fast. After they start to peel off.
From above, the rashes are covered with a layer of scales, which are easily separated 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 drops. They are small and round in shape. The papules formed are above the surface of the skin. They are characterized by severe scaling. A rash can occur 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. In a short period of 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 even lead to internal organ damage. The kidneys and the 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 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 bubbles that fill with non-infectious fluid. Another symptom of this type of psoriasis is swollen lymph nodes.
Erythrodermic psoriasis
Quite a dangerous and unpredictable form of psoriasis. It leads to a violation of the thermoregulation of the body. The disease is recognized by severe scaling 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 slough off over time. If the child is very young, they may not survive this condition.
Psoriasis of the flexural surfaces
From the name of the variety of the disease, it can be understood that it affects the curved zones of the body. Rashes typically occur in the groin, genitals, and inner thigh. The skin is covered with red spots. They are soft 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 and swelling of the fingers. The joints begin to hurt a lot. In some cases, the child develops conjunctivitis.
Most types of psoriasis are very similar to each other in their clinical picture. Therefore, without consulting a doctor, it is very difficult to determine which form of the disease a child suffers from.
Diagnosis
If a child has painful rashes on the head or other parts of the body, you should immediately show it to a specialist. With such symptoms, a consultation with a dermatologist is required. You will be able to make a diagnosis after a thorough examination of the patient and listen 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 removed. The result of the laboratory analysis will help the dermatologist make the correct diagnosis for the child. After that, you will be prescribed a treatment that should ease 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 the most optimal if the patient has a progressive stage of the disease.
It is necessary to learn how to treat psoriasis with a dermatologist who monitors the child's condition. He can offer a course of therapy based on the following medications:
- Sedative and desensitizing. You will need to drink a calcium gluconate solution (5%) or a calcium chloride solution (10%). This should 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 of which lasts up to 10 days;
- vitaminsUsually 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 necessary to stimulate the body's defense mechanisms. With its help, it is possible to normalize vascular permeability and eliminate mitotic activity of the skin layers. For optimal results, about 8 injection courses are required.
Traditional medicine offers children diagnosed with psoriasis to undergo active therapy courses. 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.
Home remedies
Individual drugs that help cure psoriatic disease may be contraindicated in children. Then their parents and doctors need to select a safer therapy for young patients, which will achieve a positive result. In such situations, traditional methods of treatment help well. You can relieve the baby's condition in the following ways:
- German chamomile lotions. They should 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 from dandelion root, burdock, grapes, sarsaparilla and balsam 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 from 1 glass of water and 1 tbsp. crushed plant. Before drinking, the drink must be infused for about 40 minutes. Take folk medicine 2 times a day.
A child with psoriasis must follow a special diet. Her 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 drinking regimen. He should drink about 8 glasses a day.
Prevention
A large number of people infected with psoriasis lead completely normal lives. But many are still concerned about their appearance. This problem especially worries children. Because of the disease, the child can become depressed and withdrawn. Therefore, parents must take any measures to protect their beloved child from such an unpleasant disease.
Preventing the formation of psoriatic skin rashes helps to maintain a proper lifestyle. It is necessary to provide the child with adequate rest, sleep and a balanced diet. You should avoid hypothermia and prolonged exposure to the sun. The use of quick-drying soaps and lotions is also contraindicated.
As a general rule, psoriasis that develops in a young child is rarely serious. Thus, subject to the timely provision of medical care to the patient, he manages to quickly and permanently get rid of the signs of the pathological process. For the baby to recover, he must be completely protected from the factors that cause the progression of psoriatic disease.