Pediatric Psoriasis

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Los Angeles and Santa Monica, CA

Pediatric psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition that affects about 1% of children. It causes cells to grow too fast, leading to thick, raised patches or red spots on the face, scalp, and skin folds. Without effective treatment, it can lead to worsening skin conditions, intense discomfort, and psychosocial distress.

The expert dermatologists and staff at the Dermatology Institute and Skin Care Center rely on groundbreaking research, clinical experience, and a shared dedication to patient care to help every patient, even the youngest, improve their skin health.

If you or your child are struggling with psoriasis, our team can assist with our deep understanding of dermatology. Contact us online or call our office at (310) 829-4104 to schedule a consultation and explore psoriasis treatment options.

About Pediatric Psoriasis

Psoriasis can appear suddenly, often for no particular reason. Some children with psoriasis have family members who also have psoriasis, or in some cases, it may appear after an illness. Psoriasis can also be triggered by upper respiratory infections, earaches, and strep throat, as well as minor scratches, sunburns, and irritated skin. Psoriasis in children typically appears smaller, thinner, and less scaly. (1) The most common types are plaque psoriasis, which presents itself as red and dry patches; guttate psoriasis, which appears as small, drop-like spots; and inverse psoriasis/diaper rash, smooth and bright red patches in skin folds or near the diaper area. Many children become frustrated or bothered emotionally and physically as a result of psoriasis.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Psoriasis?

Psoriasis causes skin cells to multiply up to ten times faster than normal cells, resulting in thick, raised, and scaly patches that are often itchy and uncomfortable. Psoriasis first appears as a rash on the skin, often in areas such as the scalp, behind the ears, the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, and finger/toenails. This condition is not contagious, although it is lifelong and requires ongoing management. (2) Psoriasis differs from normal rashes, as it arises when an overactive immune system sends signals that accelerate cell growth cycles, which forces new skin cells to the surface in a span of 4 days. As the body quickly sheds skin cells, a rash with stinging or burning sensations appears. Psoriasis plaques have distinct and well-defined borders; on light skin, they appear pink or red, and on dark skin, they appear dark brown or purple. Psoriasis most often forms on specific, bony areas like the outer elbows, knees, lower back, and scalp, while other rashes can appear anywhere.

How is Psoriasis Treated?

Psoriasis can be treated using topical medications such as corticosteroids, vitamin D analogs, and calcineurin inhibitors. For more severe cases, oral medications such as apremilast and acitretin can help. Non-steroidal topical medications help reduce inflammation and are appropriate for children under two years old. These medications aim to ease itching, soften thick scales, and restore skin moisture in dry and affected areas. Oral medications help decelerate rapid skin cell growth, clear severe rashes, and reduce joint pain.

Benefits of Treating Psoriasis

Managing psoriasis is essential for maintaining optimal skin health. By clearing skin plaques, you can prevent cracking or bleeding and reduce the risk of more serious complications. Among both children and adults, treating psoriasis also significantly boosts self-esteem and confidence, helping to increase quality of life.

Candidates

If you or your child experiences symptoms such as red, dry patches, or small drop-like bumps on the surface of the skin that itch and burn, psoriasis treatment may be beneficial. Psoriasis treatment becomes especially important when the condition significantly affects skin quality and self-confidence. (3) To qualify for treatment, you or your child must also be in relatively good health and must be willing to commit to a treatment schedule to optimize results.

Personal Consultation

Your or your child’s psoriasis treatment begins with a personal consultation. Here, one of our dermatologists will review medical history and examine the skin. They will carefully inspect the type of psoriasis present, its severity, distribution, and more to gather the necessary information to form a treatment plan. Following this, they will prescribe topical or oral medication (at times both), provide dosage information, and give a detailed set of instructions to follow. This meeting is an opportunity to address any questions or concerns you may have regarding your or your child’s condition. Contact us online or call our office directly at (310) 829-4104 to schedule a personal consultation!

Preparation

To effectively prepare for and optimize psoriasis treatment, your dermatologist will provide detailed instructions. A key component of these instructions is establishing a soothing skincare routine, such as applying thick, fragrance-free creams immediately after baths to lock in moisture, limiting bath times to about 15 minutes and showers to 5 minutes using lukewarm water, and using mild, fragrance-free soaps, shampoos, and laundry detergents to prevent skin irritation. Breathable and non-irritating fabrics (such as 100% cotton), managing stress through calm activities, and engaging in light exercises also help to prevent any potential flare-ups. Our dermatologists also recommend that you create a list of practices that trigger your or your child’s psoriasis to assist in creating an efficient treatment plan.

Procedure

Your or your child’s psoriasis treatment will be highly personalized, involving topical and/or oral medications. Topical medications must be applied once or twice daily to the affected areas, where they will soothe the skin, alleviate itching and redness, and stimulate healing. Prescribed oral medications will need to be taken as instructed. Because each psoriasis treatment plan is highly personalized, specific instructions may vary.

To learn more about psoriasis treatments, you can enroll in our psoriasis clinical study.

Recovery

Psoriasis medications do not require any downtime, meaning treatment does not require any activity restrictions. However, you must be cautious (or caution your child) to avoid rubbing off any topical products. We recommend letting the solution seep into the skin for at least five minutes. Throughout your treatment, it will be vital to wear sun protection and practice good skincare habits. We also recommend staying hydrated. Throughout your or your child’s psoriasis treatment, you will return for regular follow-up visits, where your dermatologist will evaluate the progress of the therapies and make any necessary adjustments.

Results

Results from psoriasis treatment will gradually appear after two weeks of topical medication, with clearer skin developing between 4 and 8 weeks of consistent use. If you or your child are taking an oral medication, you will begin to see improvements after 8 to 16 weeks. (4) Final results appear as reduced inflammation, redness, and itching after medications slow or halt excessive cell growth. With your or your child’s psoriasis managed, you/they will enjoy enhanced comfort, little to no irritation, better overall skin quality, and significantly enhanced confidence.

Cost of Pediatric Psoriasis Treatments in Santa Monica

The cost of psoriasis treatment varies depending on several factors, including the severity of the case, the type of psoriasis present, the selected treatment protocol, and more. After creating a treatment plan at the consultation, your dermatologist will provide a comprehensive cost estimate. Certain patients may be able to save on treatment costs by participating in our psoriasis study if they qualify. Contact us online or call our office directly at (310) 829-4104 to schedule a consultation and explore the cost of pediatric psoriasis treatment!

FAQ

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a condition that affects about 1% of children (although it can occur in teenagers and adults as well) wherein the immune system makes cells grow too fast, leading to red spots on the face, scalp, and skin folds.

How is psoriasis in children different from adults?

In children, psoriasis often appears as thinner and smaller lesions on faces and skin folds. Psoriasis in adults appears as thick and inflamed patches on the skin.

What can alleviate psoriasis?

Generally, prescribed topical or oral medications alleviate psoriasis best. These require daily or weekly care, reapplication, and commitment to produce the best outcomes.

Is psoriasis different from eczema?

Yes, although both psoriasis and eczema are inflammatory conditions, eczema is a reaction to environmental triggers or allergens, while psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes rapid skin cell buildup.

What are the symptoms of psoriasis?

Psoriasis causes red, raised, and dry skin patches that result in intense itching, burning, or soreness. These concerns may also affect your nails and cause joints to swell and hurt.

References

  1. Branisteanu D, Georgescu S, Serban I, et al. Management of psoriasis in children (Review). Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine. 2021;22(6). doi:10.3892/etm.2021.10864
  2. NIAMS. Psoriatic Arthritis. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Published April 14, 2017. Accessed July 10, 2026. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/psoriatic-arthritis
  3. Children with Psoriasis. www.psoriasis.org. Accessed July 10, 2026. https://www.psoriasis.org/children-with-psoriasis/https://www.psoriasis.org/children-with-psoriasis/
  4. Felbo S, Terslev L, Sørensen I, Skov L, Zachariae C, Østergaard M. Musculoskeletal Pain in Patients with Psoriasis and its Influence on Health-related Quality of Life: Results from a Danish Population-based Survey. Acta Dermato Venereologica. 2021;101(9):adv00553. doi:10.2340/00015555-3906