About Psoriasis

Please note that we at Sock Monkeys Clothing are not doctors or medical experts.  We are a family-run business with a little loved one who suffers with a severe skin condition.  To help her stay safe from scratching and to help other little itching ones, we did some research and developed Sock Monkeys Clothing . Below are some of our learnings – we hope you find this information useful.

What is baby psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a disease that causes the immune system to send out signals increasing the growth cycle of skin cells. Instead of skin growing and shedding every 3-4 weeks, psoriasis causes new skin cells to develop every few days. These skin cells do not fall off, but pile up and form lesions. There are five types of psoriasis, the most common in children being “plaque psoriasis”. For purposes of this website, we will refer to them as one disease.

Psoriasis usually appears as raised, red patches or lesions covered with a silvery white buildup of dead skin cells, called scales or plaques. It can also look like small red dots. It typically shows up on the knees, elbows, scalp, and lower back. Psoriasis can easily be confused with other skin conditions (e.g. cradle cap, ringworm, eczema). Your pediatric dermatologist can examine and test your baby’s skin for a formal diagnosis. While infant psoriasis is rare, about 10-15% of cases appear before age 10.

Psoriasis is not contagious. However, if your baby is suffering with it, you will almost certainly suffer along with him/her. The intense itching leads to deep, incessant scratching. Many-a-night can be spent trying to keep your little one from scratching themselves to the point of horrific bleeding.

About 2 – 4 percent of the general population (7.5% of Americans) have psoriasis. Annually, 20,000 children are diagnosed with psoriasis. It is a long-life disease, but there are ways to cope with and manage it. Additionally, when psoriasis shows up in infancy, it often gets milder as your baby ages….so there is hope!

What causes psoriasis?

No one knows for sure, but research shows it appears to be a combination of genetic and immune system factors. Certain genes must be present for psoriasis to occur, followed by specific triggers. These triggers are not yet known, but are believed to include certain medications, infections and illness (e.g. strep throat, bronchitis, respiratory infection) and stress. Areas where the skin has been injured (including scratching and rubbing) are most likely to show signs of psoriasis.

How can I treat my baby’s psoriasis?

Treating psoriasis is primarily about managing flare-ups and maximizing comfort for your baby. Here are a few tips to discuss with your doctor.

• Moisturization! Try to keep your baby’s skin from becoming too dry. This can be accomplished with frequent (daily, 10-minute) bathing. There are emollient bath oils and soap substitutes available to assist with moisturization. Also consider adding oilated oatmeal, Epsom salts or Dead Sea salts to remove scaling. Use lukewarm water to prevent over-drying.
• Use mild, fragrance-free soaps and shampoos, or those made for sensitive skin.
• Apply baby oil and then massage the affected areas with a gentle rag.
• After bathing, promptly apply a liberal amount of moisturizer or emollient — an ointment, cream, or lotion that “seals in” the body’s own moisture (e.g. Vaseline).
• Allow your baby’s skin to breathe (and not become overheated) by dressing him/her in smooth natural fabrics, like cotton. Avoid wool and other scratchy materials. Sock Monkeys Clothing is made of organic cotton and designed to be loose and breathable.
• Avoid sunburns, but a little bit of natural sun catch actually help.
• Help your baby avoid scratching. He/she may try to get relief by scratching. But scratching and rubbing can further irritate or inflame the skin and make matters much worse. Sock Monkeys Clothing is designed specifically for this purpose!
• Keep his/her nails short.

Are there medications for psoriasis?

Ask your doctor about the following:

• Coal tar
• Vitamin D analogues (e.g. Calcipotriol, Tacalcitol)
• Topical steroid treatments (hydrocortisone)
• Antihistamines
• Dithranol
• Ultraviolet therapy

For more information (and the source of some of our findings), check out these sites:
National Psoriasis Foundation
Mayo Clinic
Livestrong.com
babycenter.com