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Understanding and Coping with Psoriasis in Children |
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Written by Webmaster
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Sunday, 13 July 2008 |
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For however hard it is for adults to deal with their psoriasis, and millions do on a daily basis, psoriasis in children can prove even more difficult. It is an ordeal of teaching the children to accept the skin disorder and help them move on with their lives in a positive manner. The parents and medical professionals must also deal with medications. The available drugs are suited for adult consumption but are they safe for children? Plus, there are also psychological issues that must be addressed as the child gets older.
Psoriasis in children affects more than just their physical health. Children can have a tough time adjusting and coping with this chronic skin condition. They may not understand what causes psoriasis and it is up to the adults in their life to help them understand this disease. The first step is explaining that the disease is not contagious. Many children fear "catching" psoriasis from a friend but in reality this is completely untrue. You cannot catch psoriasis from contact with another person. The skin may resemble "chicken pox" at times but it is not communicable.
The main issue with psoriasis in teens and children is the psychological aspect of being "different" than the other children. These affected patients may develop severe self-esteem issues that need to be discussed with a counselor. Even adults face depression with this skin disease but the manifestations of depression in children may present themselves in a different manner.
The next step is finding the right psoriasis medication for the job of helping combat the symptoms and help heal the skin. Most medications currently on the market are not tested for a child's safety. A child is expected to use a medication meant to work on an adult. This can prove problematic for some children because the psoriasis medication is too strong and could cause harmful side-effects. There is legislation in place now for new drugs to be tested to ensure safety for children but that only applies to new drugs. You still have to be concerned about the drugs that are already on the market.
It is the parents, doctors and counselors job to help the child become educated. Psoriasis in children faces many of the same issues that adults face but with the added complication of a child trying to grow up into an adult. The best place to start a search for helping a child deal with his or her new diagnosis is to visit The National Psoriasis Foundation at www.psoriasis.org.
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