This image displays knees affected by psoriasis. This image displays the thick, white, scaling area typical to psoriasis. This image displays dry, scaly areas of the scalp typical of psoriasis. This image displays a nail that is lifting up (onycholysis) due to psoriasis. This image displays a large, red, scaly, slightly elevated lesion of psoriasis in the armpit. Psoriasis often has white, thick scale that comes off in "plates" when picked, causing bleeding. This image displays a knee affected by psoriasis. Redness and silver-looking scaling often affect the scalp and hairline with psoriasis. Psoriasis can be displayed as smaller, scattered patches. This image displays psoriasis affecting the knees due to excess friction from play and sports. Redness and thick scaling of the slightly elevated lesions is common with psoriasis. In darker skinned people, new areas of psoriasis are pink, while older areas are displayed as lighter, flat marks. This image displays a close-up of the scaly, slightly elevated lesions of psoriasis, which often appear to come off in plates. This image displays typical slightly elevation lesions of psoriasis with thick, white scale and redness. Typical redness and scaling of external ear canal psoriasis. This image displays an extensive case of psoriasis that has been triggered by a strep infection. This image displays an uneven, pitted nail separated from the nail bed due to psoriasis. This image displays psoriasis that affects only the patient's palms and soles (palmoplantar psoriasis). This image displays a forehead and scalp affected by psoriasis. This image displays a nail affected with psoriasis. This image displays cracks in the skin of hands typical of psoriasis. Psoriasis on the bottoms of feet may affect the instep of the sole as well as areas of friction. This image displays dry, cracked skin typical of psoriasis. This image displays small pits and discoloration of the nail surface typical of psoriasis of the nail. Psoriasis may be evident in the nails with multiple tiny, pit-like depressions of the nail plate surface. Psoriasis frequently is more severe on the buttocks. When psoriasis involves body fold areas (known as psoriasis inversus), there is not as much scaling due to moisture.
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Psoriasis:
A parent's guide to condition and treatment information

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Picture of Psoriasis: This image displays knees affected by psoriasis. Divider line
This image displays knees affected by psoriasis.
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Self-Care Guidelines
For mild and moderate psoriasis:
  • Have your child bathe daily to help remove scale and moisten the skin. Avoid harsh soaps; soap-substitutes are milder for your skin.
  • Apply moisturizers to all scaly psoriasis patches after any water exposure or bathing. Heavier, oilier moisturizers help to retain water in the skin better than lighter moisturizers. 
  • Apply hydrocortisone cream (0.5 or 1%), available over the counter, to help reduce itch and redness.
  • Use coal tar products, available over the counter as a shampoo, oil, gel, or cream. This is an old form of therapy, which can help, but it has a mild odor.
  • Use products with salicylic acid (shampoos, cleansers, and ointments) to help with removal of heavy scale.
  • Be sure your child follows a healthy diet and stays at the right weight. (Being overweight may make psoriasis worse.)
Small doses of natural sunlight may be helpful, such as 10–15 minutes 2 or 3 times a week. Avoid too much sun, however, and protect your child's healthy skin from sun exposure.
When to Seek Medical Care
See your child's doctor for evaluation if he or she has severe psoriasis or if self-care measures are not helpful. Also, see your child's doctor if his or her psoriasis worsened or appeared after a sore throat; psoriasis can be triggered by a strep infection.
Last Modified: 29 Jan 2008

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