Will My Child Grow Out of Psoriasis?

Psoriasis doesn’t just affect adults. This skin condition can affect children, too. In fact, 20,000 children under age 10 develop psoriasis every year. If your child is dealing with scaly, itchy skin patches or any other symptoms linked with psoriasis, you should get the condition diagnosed by board-certified dermatologist David A. Bushore, MD.

Unfortunately, psoriasis is a chronic condition. However, there are treatments that can help reduce symptoms and flare-ups.

At Balcones Dermatology & Aesthetics in Austin, Texas, Dr. Bushore provides comprehensive psoriasis care for people of all ages. In this blog, he explains what psoriasis is and how the condition can be treated.

The basics of psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes skin cells to multiply at an abnormal, rapid rate. This causes excess skin cells to build up on the skin and form scaly patches of thickened skin.

While psoriasis symptoms can worsen during a flare-up, symptoms can also go into periods of remission. In fact, a child may go for months or years without showing any symptoms, only to have flare-ups develop unexpectedly. Because of this, the disease requires lifelong management.

Psoriasis triggers

Common triggers for psoriasis flare-ups include:

• Stress
• Cold weather
• Skin irritation
• Strep throat and other viral infections

Furthermore, skin injuries, such as scrapes, cuts, sunburn, and insect bites, can trigger flare-ups.

Psoriasis symptoms

Psoriasis symptoms in children can range from mild to severe. Scaly skin patches can develop anywhere on their body, but they’re especially common on the face, scalp, and armpits. In addition to thickened skin patches that burn or itch, your child may also experience other psoriasis symptoms, such as:

• Dry skin
• Cracked skin
• Pitted nails
• Swollen, stiff joints

The good news is there are treatments that can help keep your child’s skin as healthy and symptom-free as possible.

Treating psoriasis

When you see board-certified dermatologist David A. Bushore, MD, he’ll evaluate your child and customize a plan for their specific needs. As mentioned, psoriasis symptoms can range from mild to severe, and Dr. Bushore may adjust your child’s treatment over time to provide the best possible care.

For example, Dr. Bushore may suggest home remedies such as gentle exfoliation and moisturizers. He can also review lifestyle changes to help avoid known triggers. 

Furthermore, to help keep your child's skin healthy, Dr. Bushore may recommend over-the-counter high-quality skin care products. He may also recommend prescription topical, oral, or injectable medications.

Dr. Bushore also offers narrow band UVB (nbUVB) phototherapy, which is a drug-free, noninvasive treatment that uses wavelengths of ultraviolet (UV) light to reduce inflammation in the skin. Regular treatments can slow down skin cell reproduction to prevent scaly patches from forming. Dr. Bushore can determine if your child is a candidate for phototherapy after a comprehensive skin assessment.

If your child has psoriasis and you want to get them treatment, or if you want to have your child’s skin condition diagnosed, Dr. Bushore can help. To learn more, call 512-459-4869 or book an appointment online with Balcones Dermatology & Aesthetics today.