If your child has psoriasis, marked by irritated red patches of skin--commonly on the elbows, knees and scalp--chances are she needs healing emotionally as well as physically. Though it's not contagious, and doesn't spread from one part of the body to another, children tend to get sad, angry or embarrassed about psoriasis. While psoriasis may never completely go away, there are several steps you can take to make her feel better, inside and out.
Step 1
Take your child to a dermatologist to have her skin condition evaluated and properly diagnosed. If it is psoriasis, she'll probably be prescribed a moisturizer, a steroid cream such as hydrocortisone, or a coal tar preparation, all of which work well for mild rashes. If it's more serious, she might be given a topical treatment derived from vitamin D, such as calcipotriol or tacalcitol. A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology in 1997 proved that calcipotriol was safe and effective for children ages 2 to 14. Pediatrician Alan Greene, founder of DrGreene.com, says that tacalcitol may be better tolerated than calcipotriol. Another topical treatment option is the vitamin A-derived tazarotene gel. According to a study published in the Archives of Dermatology in 1998, applying the gel once or twice a day resulted in significant improvement within a week. Whichever type you use, apply the cream or ointment as often as directed to best treat the irritated skin.
Step 2
Tell your child that getting psoriasis is not his fault and is nothing to be ashamed of. Let him know that millions of people have it, so he's not alone; that it's not life threatening; and that his friends won't catch it from him. Make sure he understands that the rash goes through cycles, so that while it may disappear for a while, it's bound to reappear in the future. Above all, make sure he knows that you love and support him, and that you understand if he's feeling bad about it. Children often take some time to come to come to terms with having the disease, so be prepared to reassure him throughout the treatment process.
Step 3
Bathe your child daily in lukewarm water to keep her skin moist. Avoid drying soaps, and moisturize her skin well when she gets out. This seals in water that gets absorbed into the skin during a bath, and can cut down on psoriasis breakouts, which tend to occur more often when the skin is dried out.
Step 4
Dress your child in cotton sleepwear and underwear, which is more comfortable for children with irritated skin, especially when the weather is hot.
Step 5
Allow your child exposure to the sun, which sometimes helps clear up psoriasis; however, be sure he doesn't get sunburned. If he's sensitive to the sun or has pale skin, be especially cautious, but implement the treatment slowly in any case. Start by letting him go outside for five minutes in the midday sun, without sunscreen, and add a few minutes each day for about a week.
Step 6
Get a new prescription if the cream you're using stops working well; sometimes this happens as the skin adapts to the treatment. Also look into a cover-up cream for special occasions, which come in a variety of colors to match skin tones.
Things You'll Need
- Cream or ointment prescribed for psoriasis
- Moisturizer
- Cotton sleepwear and underwear
