Tips for helping your child deal with psoriasis

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Tips for helping your child deal with psoriasis

Most toddlers and kids deal with skin irritations such as diaper rash and eczema, however children can also have various forms of psoriasis. Psoriasis can be a difficult skin condition to manage for children as well as adults. Although it is not infectious or contagious, it can cause significant skin inflammation and discomfort. Psoriasis causes itchy patches of red, scaly skin that can feel uncomfortable. Following are 4 tips for helping your child deal with his or her psoriasis:

1. Speak with a professional
It is important to consult with a dermatologist if you are concerned that your child might have psoriasis. Since skin irritations are typical in children, psoriasis may be mistaken for another skin condition and vice versa. If you are looking for a New York dermatologist or a New Jersey dermatologist, Advanced Dermatology offers expert skin assessments for patients in the NY and NJ areas. Once a proper diagnosis is made, treatment for psoriasis can begin to help your child manage his or her psoriasis as best as possible.

2. Home remedies
If your child is experiencing mild psoriasis then it is possible that his or her dermatologist may prescribe a topical ointment to treat the condition. However, there are certain home remedies you can try in an attempt to alleviate or prevent the symptoms. For example, adding natural oil to your child’s bathwater may help moisturize the skin and reduce inflammation. Your doctor may also recommended using a good moisturizer on the skin after a bath or shower in order to help treat or prevent symptoms.

3. Light therapy
In some cases where the psoriasis is diagnosed as severe, it may be recommended to treat it using light therapy. It is possible that the doctor recommends using natural sun light in brief, small doses. However, beware that too much sunlight or sunburn can make psoriasis worse so it is important to wear sunscreen and keep exposure to sunlight to a limited basis. In addition, your dermatologist may suggest artificial ultraviolet (UV) light sessions as a potential treatment for severe psoriasis.

4. Healthy food, healthy skin
Another way to help your child manage psoriasis is to make sure to serve healthy food at home. Eating lots of fruits and vegetables can help your child avoid certain illnesses that can trigger psoriasis. In addition, a balanced diet will help your child remain at a healthy weight, which lowers the risk of inverse psoriasis.

5. Emotional support
Psoriasis can cause children to have low self-esteem or emotional difficulties. It can make them feel alienated amongst their peers at school and in social situations. Giving your child emotional support can be a crucial aspect of the success of his or her treatment. Furthermore, your child might gain a lot from speaking with a therapist or joining a support group. This would allow him or her to share and express the challenges of managing psoriasis in a supportive environment.

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