For Parents

Caring for Children With Psoriatic Disease

Our Spot is your source for facts and tips for helping you and your family thrive with psoriatic disease. 

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Michel and Leah live with psoriatic disease.

If your child has psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, know this: You are not alone.

The National Psoriasis Foundation is here to help you support your loved ones and help them thrive in life.

Read stories from children, teens, and parents like you
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More than 8 million people in the U.S. have psoriasis.

There are more than 125 million people in the world living with psoriatic disease.

About one-third of people with psoriasis develop it before age 20.

If you are diagnosed with psoriasis at a young age, you are not alone.

A child holding their knee in pain.

About 1 in 3 people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis (PsA) – as many as 2.4 million Americans.

PsA can develop at any age.

Understanding Psoriasis

Four kids sitting outside near a tree laughing and smiling.

What is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is an immune-mediated disease that causes inflammation in the body such as raised plaques and scales on the skin.

Learn more
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What is Psoriatic Arthritis?

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic, inflammatory disease of the joints and connective tissue (entheses), and can start at any age.

Learn about PsA and treatment options in children and teens.

african american mother with baby son and caucasian doctor with tablet computer at clinic

Related Health Conditions

People with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis have an elevated risk of developing a number of related diseases.

Know the risks

How do I talk to my child about psoriasis?

Words of Wisdom

You are not alone. Millions of people have psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis.”

This disease will change throughout your life. Flares will come and go. When a flare occurs, let’s look at what we can do. We can always consider new treatments.”

It’s not contagious. You can’t spread it or catch it. And it’s not your fault. It’s something you were born with, like your eye color.”

Practice Active Listening

Listen, don’t interrupt or explain.

Listen to what your child is saying. Smile, nod, make eye contact. Don’t break in or mentally prepare a rebuttal. When your child is finished, talk about the facts. This shows that you understand, which encourages more communication. Ask friendly questions to get more information. Watch for non-verbal cues from your child – glancing away, dropped shoulders or head down.

Mistakes happen – let them go.

Turn your attention towards finding a realistic solution. As your child grows older, he or she may turn to friends for support instead of you. That’s normal. Just keep the lines of communication open.

You’re never too young to learn resilience.

Help your child work on positive reactions to negative situations. If that doesn’t work, teach your child to move on and brush off displays of ignorance.

Understanding Care and Treatment

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What Doctor Should My Child See?

Build a health care team to help manage symptoms and treatments to keep your child healthy.

Building your health care team
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What Treatment Options Are There?

There are safe and effective options for treating psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in children and teens.

Learn about your treatment options
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Transitioning Care

As your child grows older they can learn to take on more responsibility with your help.

Help prepare your child

Emotional Health

A young girl sits at a table doing homework looking frustrated.

Emotional Impact

Learn how you can better manage the emotional impacts of psoriatic disease for you and your child.

Psoriatic disease is more than skin deep
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How Do We Deal With Bullying?

Sometimes children who are seen as different can become targets for bullying, learn what it looks like and how to handle it.

Recognize, respond, and report
A teenage girl looks out the window looking sad.

Is My Child Depressed?

Learn what to look for and how to move forward if your child is depressed.

Know the signs

Support and Community

Healthier Together: Learning for All Ages conference. Michel, Michelle, Leah, Skylar.

Connect with Someone Who Understands

Talk to a parent whose child has psoriatic disease through our One to One mentor program.

Learn more and sign up
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Patient Navigation Center

Contact the Patient Navigation Center for free, personalized guidance and support for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Connect with a Patient Navigator
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Care Partner Booklet

Get the facts and best advice for caring for your loved ones with our free Care Partner Booklet.

Request yours

A Guide Just for You

Get your Our Spot Welcome Kit with age appropriate information and tools like the Parent Guide.

Request your kit today

Stay in the Know

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