“ Recently , uncontrolled psoriasis has been associated with other issues in the body like hypertension and metabolic syndrome ,” said K . Adam Braun , M . D ., adding that metabolic syndrome involves glucose and cholesterol-control issues . “ It is supposed that proper treatment of psoriasis will have a positive impact on the body as a whole , not just the skin .”
According to a study published in The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology and posted on the National Institute of Health ’ s website , more than 40 percent of all psoriasis cases start before the age of 18 , with a median diagnosis age of 10.6 years . The same study states that “ even mild forms of psoriasis can affect childhood psychosocial functioning and quality of life .”
“ Psoriasis is a disease that primarily affects the skin , but also has some wholebody implications ,” Braun said . “ There is a complex interaction occurring where inflammation from the immune system drives the skin to multiply quickly , leading to redness , itchiness and scale .”
According to Braun , there is a common misconception that psoriasis is contagious but the condition is not . It is , however a chronic condition , that may have to be treated for the rest of the patient ’ s life . Braun also said that the condition does have genetic factors but is not necessarily passed from generation to generation . There also are no age parameters for when one might get the condition .
“ I ’ ve seen new diagnoses in toddlers , as well as 70- to 80-year-olds ,” Braun said .
The most common sign of psoriasis is itch . Braun said that about 70 percent of patients with psoriasis have this symptom .
“ Less commonly the lesions are painful . Frequently they are asymptomatic ” he said . “ One of the lesser known but very important signs that a patient may have psoriasis or be predisposed to skin lesions of psoriasis are tiny pits in the fingernails .”
Braun said that the fingernail pits can also be accompanied by a yellowish discoloration and / or a whitish separation of the end of the nail plate from the skin in the nail bed .
“ If there are concerns about psoriasis developing in a child , the first step is to see the child ’ s pediatrician ,” Braun said , adding that if the skin condition is causing symptoms , spreading or doesn ’ t go away it ’ s time to have a medical professional take a look . “ Oftentimes treatment is straightforward , at other times , consultation with a dermatologist may be helpful .”
New psoriasis treatments are being touted in television commercials , but many children and teens might be hesitant to get their psoriasis treated because sometimes it does involve shots but Braun said this isn ’ t always the case .
“ There are many different treatment approaches from creams to pills and even light-based treatments , where a patient may get concentrated doses of [ ultraviolet ] light in a safe manner to help control psoriasis ,” he said .
There are a few different types of psoriasis . The two most common types found on children are plaque psoriasis and small round spot psoriasis . Plaque
Dr . K . Adam Braun and his staff of professionals work to give patients the best possible care for their dermatological issues . Photos by Gina Story
August 2023 SEKY - Life in Southeast Kentucky • 33