The treatment of psoriasis in children depends on the location, extent, and severity of the lesions. Children should be advised not to scratch or pick the areas involved as this can worsen the skin and lead to new areas of development.
Basic treatments include moisturizers ted baths. Baths can be soothing, especially for itchy areas. Adding a bath oil or tat to the water can be helpful.
Topical Steroids
Topical steroids are very helpful and are frequently prescribed. Low- to mid-potency steroids may be used for short periods on the trunk, scalp, and extremities as instructed by your doctor. Medium- or high-potency steroids can also be used for short periods on the arms and body as instructed by your doctor.
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| Psoriasis Treatment For Children |
Nonsteroidal Creams and Ointments
Calcipotriol
Calcipotriol (Dovonex, Daivonex) decreases redness and scaliness, but can cause burning in some children, particularly on sensitive areas, such as the face.
Anthralin
Anthralin (Psoriatec) can be applied and left, or applied for a short period, then washed off. This is known as short contact anthralin therapy (SCAT). Application time is generally increased with subsequent applications until the psoriasis lesions have improved.
Coal Tar
There are different types of coal tar used to treat psoriasis affected skin (shale, wood, coal, and crude coal tar). Crude coal tar is one of the oldest psoriasis treatment options available, although many children and parents dislike using tar because it may be messy, smelly, and irritating. However; coal tar can provide significant benefit for patients and is available in a topical form and a shampoo form for the treatment of scalp psoriasis.
Topical coal tar is a available as a gel, cream, ointment, liquid, bath solution, or shampoo. Coal tar can stain white or blond hair clothing, towels, and bedding. If you apply treatment before going to bed, use old pajamas and bedding. Coal tar can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight (photosensitizer), so be careful when exposing your skin to sunlight when you have it on and carefully follow your doctor's instructions.
Calcineurin Inhibitors
These are currently under investigation for psoriasis and may be helpful for face, groin, and genital areas. They are available in ointment (tacrolimus [Protopic] 0.1 percent and 0.03 percent) or cream (pimecrolimus [Elide] 1 percent) forms.
Calcineurin inhibitors can cause slight burning with initial application. This burning is mild and tends to last only a few minutes. The burning generally resolves completely after one to two weeks of repeated use.
Tazarotene
Tazarotene (Tazorac) has been used to treat psoriasis, but can cause irritation. It is often necessary to use topical steroids in conjunction with tazarotene to reduce irritation.
Phototherapy
Phototherapy can be considered for older children who fail to respond to topical treatments.
Systemic Medications
Systemic agents such as methotrexate and cyclosporine are used only in children with severe psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis.
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| Psoriasis Treatment For Children |
Biologics
Etanercept has been approved for children with certain types of arthritis (juvenile rheumatoid arthritis), and has been studied in children aged 4-17.
To find out more, you can check out Psoriasis Treatment For Children.