Psoriasis Symptoms in Babies
Skin conditions affect babies just as much as adults, and if your child is showing a rash on their body you might be wondering what it is and whether it is eczema or psoriasis. Psoriasis is actually not that common in babies as it more appears in the teen to young adult stages of life but it is still possible that your baby might have it.
The two most common types of psoriasis in children is plaque psoriasis which looks like a raised red sore that has a flaky silver white centre and shows up usually in folds of skin like elbows and knees (although can be also found on the scalp), or guttate psoriasis that is much smaller and usually appears on arms and legs.
Is it Psoriasis or Eczema?
Many people often misdiagnose their baby’s rash thinking that it may be psoriasis when in actuality it’s eczema, cradle cap, ringworm or diaper rash so it’s important to get your doctor or paediatrician to diagnose the symptoms correctly.
Psoriasis often looks worse than eczema as it is rougher and scalier. It is often much redder as well, while eczema is usually more pink.
Both can be incredibly itchy and if scratched can crack and bleed.
Why Do People Get It?
While there isn’t any clinical evidence to suggest why one child would get it and another wouldn’t, it is though that most symptoms first appear after some sort of trauma to the skin such as a scratch, cut or insect bite.
Unlike eczema, psoriasis isn’t thought to be hereditary.
Treating Psoriasis
If it is psoriasis, your doctor will usually prescribe a steroid cream to help clear it up and also possibly an oral antibiotic to clear up any bacterial infection present.
There are also things that you can do at home to help your child. Adding oils to the bathwater can be a good way to moisturise the skin, as well as using a gentle and fragrance free body moisturiser. The ones marketed to eczema in babies are good options to use.
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