Often the biggest challenge that children with psoriasis face is the reaction of their peers. Unfortunately, other children might tease your child because of the appearance of his or her skin. Therefore, it is important that you support your child, listen to his or her concerns, and teach him or her about the disease. If other children are persistently teasing, it might be helpful to meet with your child's teacher to discuss the condition. It is vital that teachers and students understand psoriasis is not contagious. You can discuss your child's condition with teachers at the beginning of the school year and follow up with them during the year. If necessary, you might discuss with the teacher how best to educate classmates about the condition.
Embarrassment about the appearance of psoriasis can cause low self-esteem, make your child self-conscious about his or her appearance, and could lead the child to avoid taking part in social or physical activities.
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| Managing Your Child's Psoriasis |
The National Psoriasis Foundation has a Web site with a section for children and teens that allows them to chat online with similarly affected kids, which helps them to both cope with their disease and feel less isolated. The American Academy of Dermatology has a summer camp (for children and teens) that enables kids to meet other children with skin disorders and to learn about and understand these diseases.
Here are some practical tips for treating and coping with psoriasis in older children and teens, and for discussing psoriasis with your child:
- Educate yourself and your child about the disease.
- Be direct and open about the condition.
- Reassure your child that feeling angry, sad, and frustrated is normal so she or he can learn to accept the disease and not let the condition have a negative impact.
- Help your child become comfortable talking about psoriasis, not only with you but also with doctors and others who can offer support.
- Emphasize that you can't give psoriasis to people by touching them or sitting next to them.
- Listen to your child's concerns.
- Indicate that there are good treatments to help control the condition and reduce itchiness.
- Assure your child that his or her general health will not be affected, and that the condition is not life-threatening.
- Comfort your child by explaining that she or he is not alone. Many other children have this condition.
- Your child can continue to do all activities (sports/hobbies) that other children do.
- Help your child understand that by following your doctor's routine to treat psoriasis, the condition can be kept under control.
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| Managing Your Child's Psoriasis |
To find out more, you can check out Managing Your Child's Psoriasis.