Psoriasis in children 16 years of age and younger is common. Frequently the disease is associated with a positive family history and often appears as acute guttate psoriasis. Acute guttate psoriasis is seen commonly after streptococcal infection of the upper respiratory tract, but may be associated with other viral and bacterial diseases as well. Acute guttate psoriasis responds well to treatment but often recurs as more typical small- or large-plaque disease. The treatment of childhood psoriasis should be simple and, if the disease is significant, carried out in the hospital. Results are much more impressive in hospitalized patients than in outpatient settings. Topical corticosteroids should be used only for short periods of time, whereas tar, ultraviolet light, and anthralin have much longer beneficial effects.
