About psoriasis

Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes thick, scaly patches on the skin.

Psoriasis happens when there’s a lot of inflammation in the skin, which leads to the rapid growth and shedding of skin cells. Thick, scaly patches called plaques develop in the areas where this is happening.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease. Genetics plays a role too – it’s common for several people in the same family to have psoriasis. It can also be triggered by certain medicines or by infections like tonsillitis.

Psoriasis ranges in severity, duration, and spread across the body. For example, sometimes it fades with very little treatment within a few months. Sometimes it’s a lifelong condition that needs treatment with medicine. And some children and teenagers have only a few small areas of psoriasis, whereas others can have large areas of it.

Psoriasis isn’t contagious.

About a quarter of people with psoriasis develop it before the age of 18.

Symptoms of psoriasis

The main symptom of psoriasis is inflamed patches of skin. On children and teenagers with light skin, the patches might look red. On children and teenagers with dark skin, the patches might look brown, purple or grey. Patches have silvery-white scales.

Psoriasis can come up anywhere on the body, but it most often comes up on the scalp, knees, elbows, belly button and between the buttocks. Psoriasis also affects fingernails, genitals and toenails. If you get it on your nails, they might have small dents or look discoloured, thickened or raised.

In young children it might come up in the nappy area, where it can look like nappy rash.

People with psoriasis might also have joint problems like joint pain and swelling, which are often worse in the morning or after rest. But this is rare in children.

Children and teenagers with psoriasis can feel very self-conscious, embarrassed or distressed about their skin. This might affect their school and social activities.

Medical help: when to get it for children and teenagers with psoriasis

If your child has symptoms of psoriasis, see your GP.

Your GP might refer your child to a dermatologist for further assessment.

Diagnosing psoriasis

To diagnose psoriasis, your doctor will look at your child’s skin and talk to you about your child’s medical and family history. In some circumstances, they might need to take a skin sample, but this is rare.

Treatment for psoriasis

There’s no cure for psoriasis, but there are many treatments that can make the rash go away and reduce symptoms.

The right treatment for your child depends on their age, the area of their body that’s affected, and the severity of their symptoms.

Treatment might involve ointments and creams, including corticosteroids, tar preparations and vitamin D creams (calcipotriol).

If your child has widespread psoriasis, a course of targeted ultraviolet-B light might help. This usually needs to be taken 3 times a week for at least 6 weeks. A dermatologist can provide this treatment.

In very severe cases your doctor might prescribe medicines that target the parts of the immune system involved in psoriasis.

If the psoriasis has appeared after a recent bout of tonsillitis, your doctor might prescribe antibiotics. If the tonsillitis and psoriasis keep coming back, your doctor might recommend surgery to remove your child’s tonsils.

It’s essential to moisturise your child’s skin to keep it soft and healthy. Use simple moisturisers like paraffin, petroleum jelly, aqueous cream and sorbolene cream. Most brands will work as long as they don’t contain fragrances.

Psoriasis can affect your child’s health and wellbeing, so it’s important for them to have a healthy lifestyle. This includes eating healthy foods, exercising regularly and avoiding smoking. It’s also important to seek professional support if psoriasis is affecting your child’s mental and emotional health.