Topical therapy for the management of childhood psoriasis: part I

K M Cordoro1

  • 1Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.

Skin Therapy Letter
|May 29, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Psoriasis significantly impacts quality of life, with most cases managed by topical treatments. Severe pediatric psoriasis may require systemic therapy, with treatment choices balancing efficacy, safety, and patient factors.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Pediatric Medicine

Background:

  • Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition with significant physical, emotional, and social impacts.
  • While most cases are mild and treated topically, severe forms, especially in children, necessitate systemic therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review topical agents for psoriasis management.
  • To discuss the effectiveness, side effects, and clinical applications of topical psoriasis treatments, particularly in pediatric cases.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on topical psoriasis treatments.
  • Analysis of treatment considerations including disease severity, comorbidities, and patient-specific factors.

Main Results:

  • Topical medications are effective for mild psoriasis.
  • Treatment decisions for severe psoriasis involve a comprehensive assessment of disease characteristics and patient-related factors.

Conclusions:

  • Topical agents form the cornerstone of mild psoriasis management.
  • Part I of this series focuses on topical treatments, laying the groundwork for understanding more complex therapeutic options.

Related Concept Videos

Acne Infection01:27

Acne Infection

Acne is a multifactorial skin condition primarily affecting adolescents and young adults, with a global prevalence estimated to exceed 75% in this demographic. The condition is characterized by the formation of comedones (blackheads and whiteheads), papules, pustules, nodules, and, in severe cases, cysts, particularly in areas rich in sebaceous glands such as the face, neck, chest, and back. The pathogenesis involves increased sebum production, follicular hyperkeratinization, colonization by...
Skin Cancer01:30

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when there is an abnormal growth of skin cells, usually triggered by damage to the DNA within the skin cells. It is primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, and its incidence continues to rise.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Pharmacological Management01:29

Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Pharmacological Management

Upon diagnosis, managing Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) involves addressing several crucial aspects. The primary goals include resting the bowel, correcting malnutrition, and providing symptomatic relief. Resting the bowel may consist of medications to reduce inflammation and promote healing. Correcting malnutrition is essential, often requiring dietary adjustments and nutritional supplements. Symptomatic relief aims to ease pain, diarrhea, and other discomforts in IBD.
Pharmacologic...
Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management01:20

Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management

Asthma is a chronic pulmonary condition involving inflammation of the airways, hyper-reactivity, and reversible obstruction of the airways. This condition can significantly impact a person's quality of life, making breathing difficult and leading to distressing symptoms.
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.
Antiasthma Drugs: Inhaled Corticosteroids and Glucocorticoids01:25

Antiasthma Drugs: Inhaled Corticosteroids and Glucocorticoids

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are anti-inflammatory drugs used primarily in treating persistent asthma and providing long-term maintenance. They target the bronchial mucosa, the lining of the airways, to control inflammation, a critical factor in asthma progression and exacerbation.
ICS work through a multifaceted mechanism of action. They suppress the inflammatory response caused by the proliferation of TH cells. They also reduce the transcription of the IL-2 gene, which is involved in the...
Hand hygiene01:23

Hand hygiene

Asepsis is the practice of preventing or breaking the chain of infection. The nurse employs aseptic techniques to prevent the spread of microorganisms and reduce the risk of diseases. Hand hygiene is the cornerstone of aseptic techniques and is classified into medical and surgical asepsis. Medical asepsis includes hand hygiene and the use of gloves. Surgical asepsis, or the sterile technique, refers to practices that render and keep objects and areas free of microorganisms.
Hand washing...