Pediatric Psoriasis: Linear Psoriasis Versus Plaque Psoriasis

Skin disorders are one of the most common types of ailments in children. For many pediatric patients, the complications of skin disorder are associated with common skin complications that may be difficult to diagnose and treatment. In the case of psoriasis, children are often afflicted but not easily treated. In fact, for most adult sufferers, the skin disorder began before the age of 20 leaving many pediatricians at a loss as to how best to manage the complication before adulthood.

Because there is often some familial connection to the development of psoriasis, if you find that your child has developed an odd skin disorder, it may be prudent to investigate the possibility of a psoriasis complication. While the age at onset will vary from one child to another, it is worth investigating this as a possible diagnosis, especially if you, your child's other parent, also suffers from the skin disorder.

When your child develops psoriasis, the symptoms will initially appear as plaque type lesions. While there are many types of psoriasis developments, the most common is this plaque psoriasis. On your child's skin, the lesions will be well formed and often smaller than what is typically seen on adults. While the size is smaller, the appearance of the plaque psoriasis lesion will essentially be the same. In some cases, however, the lesions may appear less scaly which leads to the frequency of misdiagnosis of psoriasis in children.

In some children, the complication of psoriasis may not be plaque psoriasis but, instead, the development of psoriasis condition known as linear psoriasis. As a very rare form of psoriasis in children, the development of linear psoriasis may occur as early as a few days after birth and will even be mistaken for a typical diaper rash. If you infant is being treated for a persistent diaper rash, ask the pediatrician about a referral to a pediatric dermatologist to determine if the complication could be linear psoriasis. For children with this type of psoriasis, traditional diaper rash creams and treatments will not be effective.