Psoriasis in children is more widespread than commonly believed. Small this disease causes a lot of suffering. However, the earlier start treatment, the more effective it will be, and the more stable remission will be achieved. Parents should know about it and to immediately consult the dermatologist, without wasting precious time experimenting with folk remedies.
Kids psoriasis: myth or reality?
Psoriasis in children as in adults, is a chronic non-infectious skin disease. In this disease the skin cells begin to divide much sooner, which is manifested by the appearance of scaly itchy patches, slightly raised above the level of the skin, or rashes, may also be redness, oozing plaques appearance and even ulcers. The signs are very characteristic, but the diagnosis should be put only by a dermatologist since psoriasis in children is often similar in its manifestations to candidiasis or diaper dermatitis, but these diseases require an entirely different treatment.
Out of 100 children who are being diagnosed with "dermatitis", about 15 is suffering from psoriasis. Most often (about 75% of all cases of child psoriasis) first symptoms occur before the age of 5 years. Psoriasis does not spare even infants.
The reasons for the development of the disease
The exact causes of psoriasis are still unknown to science. Maybe it's in the genetic disorders, there is also autoimmune and other theories of the emergence of psoriasis. Anyway, a definite answer to this question no doctors. However, it is known that the risk increases if at least one parent suffers from psoriasis — in this case, the chances that the children will have the same disease are 1: 4. If you suffer with psoriasis and mom and dad, the risk is even higher — about 60%.
But it is not only of heredity, the role played by external factors. Noted that to trigger the development of psoriasis in children infections, diseases of the liver and kidneys, trauma to the skin, as well as stress and fright. As a rule, the exacerbation of the disease in children happen during periods of transition (kindergarten, school), and in the periods of highest loads and stress (exams, performances, etc.).
How to determine that the child has psoriasis: signs of destruction
From infants psoriasis very often is like a regular diaper rash, thrush or eczema. The skin there sharply outlined bright pink sites, sometimes they show very fine skin flakes. In older children the disease begins with itching, and skin rash occurs or the formation of small papules (nodules), covered with grayish flakes of dead skin. The papules tend to increase in size and merge with each other. Often the skin on them gets wet, appear mikrotreschinki, and it is fraught with the accession of infection.
Diagnosis of the disease
Psoriasis in children diagnose a dermatologist. Mainly enough inspection. To rule out other skin diseases, the doctor takes into account the presence of so-called psoriatic triad. Three signs usually associated with psoriasis: a phenomenon stearin spot (peeling resembles stearic chips), the phenomenon of terminal film (skin papules after removing the scales is smooth and shiny) and the phenomenon of a dot bleeding (after scraping scales appear on the skin drops of blood). Count and other characteristics. Typically, plaques are localized on the knees, elbows or scalp. Not rarely, whole body covered with small red plaque. In very rare cases, a blood test and a skin biopsy.
Specifics of treatment of psoriasis in children
In the treatment of child psoriasis doctors especially strictly follow the known principle — "do no harm". Treatment of psoriasis in children should be effective but gentle. For the result of practiced integrated approach that includes physiotherapy (treatment with ultraviolet radiation, plasmapheresis), Spa treatment (numerous mineral springs in our country and abroad has long been known for their effectiveness in psoriasis), and drug treatment, mostly external funds. They can be divided into several categories.
Traditional means
These tools include tar, salicylic acid, urea. They reduce inflammation, but particularly rely on such tools is not necessary. The fact that these drugs are usually used only in the early stages of psoriasis development and take effect in the complex therapy. Like cheese swimming in butter-tar and salicylic ointment can help in cases when the psoriasis is localized on the feet and palms, but they should be applied under the bandage.
Topical steroids
To topicus steroids include betamethasone, hydrocortisone, clobetasol, mometasone and others. Feature of steroid drugs is that, due to the presence of hormones, they show quite rapid effects, but he achieved a very high price — greater risk of complications, such as atrophy of the skin and dermatitis cancellation. Topical steroids belong to the category of potent drugs. In Europe and USA selling them without a prescription is prohibited altogether. In the application of these drugs should strictly follow the recommendations and not to self-medicate is not recommended for prolonged use (longer than 5 days), the application of large areas and frequent use in highly sensitive areas of the body (face, neck, skin folds). The failure of these conditions leads to the development of systemic adverse effects: addictive, frequent exacerbations (when the withdrawal symptoms and the drug, the disease returns with a Bang). Most experts believe that the use of corticosteroids in children is dangerous, because can cause the development of Cushing's syndrome, delayed linear growth, slow weight gain, rise in intracranial pressure, atrophy and Hypo-pigmentation of the skin. If the application of topical steroids could not be avoided, to reduce the risk of unwanted side effects it is recommended to alternate the use of hormonal remedies with no hormonal drugs of similar action: it means, after removal of the severity of the relapse hormonal remedy is to use a non-hormonal drug to cure the disease and restore the integrity of the skin and its protective function. This approach will provide the opportunity for a longer rest period with no exacerbations of the disease.
Hormonal drugs
Today widely used non-hormonal drugs for external use, consisting of zinc pyrithione, of calcipotriol.
Of calcipotriol suppresses the rapid cell division and inhibits specific immune mediators, which are a significant factor in the development of psoriasis. However, drugs based on it do not recommend to apply on sensitive skin areas of the face, neck, folds and use for the treatment of extensive lesions, because this can lead to overdose and the development of adverse events. Usually means with calcipotriol used for psoriasis in children older than 6 years.
Not the most optimal hormonal remedy for the treatment of psoriasis in children given the drugs based on pyrithione zinc is a substance also called active zinc. Compared to known preparations containing zinc oxide (zinc talker, zinc ointment, etc.), active zinc has a wide spectrum of action: anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, and helps to cope with itching and dry skin (when applied as a cream) and contributes to the restoration of the integral covering of the skin and its protective function. Numerous studies have proven that zinc pyrithione has a performance comparable with hormonal therapy, but it safe — almost not absorbed from the surface of the skin, non-irritant and damaging effect. The use of drugs on its basis for the treatment of psoriasis in children the most preferably zinc pyrithione has no restrictions on the area of application (it can be used on extensive areas of destruction, including on sensitive face, neck, pleats). Duration and frequency of application of medicinal preparations based on zinc pyrithione approved for use children from 1 year.
What is the likelihood of full recovery of the child and how to increase the chances of a favorable outcome of the disease?
Psoriasis is a chronic disease, but if you start treatment in a timely manner and to choose the right products, you can achieve a stable remission — perhaps in the future manifestations of this disease generally will not disturb the baby.
80% of the success of the treatment is the right choice of drugs local action.