Psoriasis in 5 year-old?

A few months ago, I noticed skin-colored bumps on my then 4 year-old's arms.  I didn't think much of it, he's always had various skin issues.  They went away.

Fast forward to recently, when I noticed multiple pink spots that looked almost welt-like and inflammed, but very circular.  I thought maybe he had warts or an allergic reaction.  He had about 9 spots on one elbow, and maybe 5 on the other.

A couple of days later, it looked very inflammed, more like an allergy to something - but nothing had changed in his food or environment.  And just three more days later, the dots had sort of spread together and there was a scaly surface on top of it all.  I was diagnosed with plaque psoriasis at age 8, but had it even earlier.  We have a strong family history of this, and the arthritis.  I cannot remember how it started, though.  Does this look consistent with psoriasis?  It does not itch or hurt.

[anacyde]

Why is this being ignored?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the picture and symptoms it looks like plaque psoriasis only. It is most likely to affect the typical areas of the elbows, knees, umbilicus and lower back.

It can be treated but it commonly has recurrences also. So a regular treatment is required for this. Treatment options include Ointment and creams containing coal tar, dithranol (anthralin), corticosteroids like desoximetasone (Topicort), vitamin D3 analogues (for example, calcipotriol), and retinoids, Psoralen+UVA and PUVB therapy. Over time, psoriasis can become resistant to a specific therapy. Treatments may be periodically changed to prevent resistance developing (tachyphylaxis) and to reduce the chance of adverse reactions occurring.
I hope it helps. Take care and regards.

[anacyde]

Thank you!