Therapeutic approach to psoriasis in children

Psoriasis in children should be considered a multifactorial disease that has different aspects. Lesions are well defined as erythematous, scaly plaques, located in elbows, knees, the sacral area and scalp. They can also affect the entire integument, including palms, soles, semimucosae, nails and joints. Genetic predisposition is clearly demonstrated by familial aggregation (1/3 of patients have an affected family member), concordance in twins, and certain HLA associations. Treatment of psoriasis is difficult, especially in severe, disseminated cases, and particularly in children. Treatments to be used must be carefully considered, and agreed with the family. In many cases, combination therapies and/or rotational therapies are used. The goal of treatment should be symptom control, the induction of long-term remissions, and the achievement of highly effective therapies, while maintaining a high safety profile, as well as allowing a better quality of life for patients.