psoriasis?

[brightstar1]

my ds(10) has spots and scabs all over his body.It started 3 weeks before xmas. On his shins the scabs are bad about 3 inchs wide. Doctors at a loss,has tried all the creams and pills he can. now waiting for an emergency dermotology appointment.looks like psoriasis but not sure.It is starting to affect my son now as it is on his face.Doc said appointment could take wks!anyone any advice?

Could it be Impetigo?

I though psoriasis was flaking skin?

Doc said it wasnt impetigo,and we have tried antibiotcs. ds sheets are covered in skin and blood in the morning!

Awww poor lad.

I know a friend of mine has had Impetigo more than once and everytime she has had it she's had to have different Anti B's as the first ones she takes never work. Quite strange.

I was maybe thinking that it could have been a reaction to something.

there are many different types of psorisis and treatments to if that is wha it is.
does it look like this
this is a good website:
www.psoriasis-association.org.uk/children.html

sorry sorting out ds from nursery. chapsmum,yes does look a bit like that.starts off with a spot that itches then turns into a scab,almost ring like.Although his shins are more thick scabs.

has he ever had antifungals, did the gp think it could be ring worm?

actually there are different types of psoriasis this is a good site ...see home page forms of psoriasis for pictures

I would be doubtful over it being psoriasis just by your description as all over the body doesn't sound like a general starting point .. IIRC it tends to start base of spine or limbs

where are you based and can you afford to go private .. in the UK the London Free hospital is a centre for excellence and runs a clinic .. if you can afford to go private at least for your first consultation then you can cut back the waiting time

I think Tony Chu is the most eminent dermatologist wrt psoriasis (but there's only about 350 in the UK in total) but not sure if he still sees patients

antifungal cream.doc said no to ringworm.

it is unusual but not impossible for a child to develop psoriasis .. do any members of your family have psoriasis?

are you noticing silvery scales over it

basically psoriasis is an auto-immune disorder which means that the skin cells grow faster than they should .. hence the red patches ... the silvery bits are just dead skin that hasn't had time to slough off

steroidal creams can help get it under control .. sunlight is very good for psoriais (and there are UV treatments) .. many people find a gluten free diet useful in managing the condition .. there are interesting approaches in genetic research with regards to treatment atm

I don't want to give you too much info before you have an actual diagnosis

Thinking back. He started with a scab under his shinpad,then after 2wks a rash of small spots appeared at the base of his spine and then more widespread but in patches.now it seems more aggressive.I'm not convinced it is psoriasis as it is not white& scaly.

bit concerned that i should wait that long as it is getting worse.ds is missing swimming at school ,everyone keeps asking why he can't go. He is getting fed up and i'm worried he will not want to go to school.

bump

Hi (twiglett again .. have changed name due to mood swings )

it doesn't have to be scaly to be psoriasis (did you see the link I posted in my first post here .. there's 5 different pictures)

and it is impossible to diagnose online unfortunately .. you do need to see someone

dermatologists are fairly scarce in the UK .. according to Tony Chu (who I heard speak at a conference) there are the same number in Paris as there are in the whole of the UK

Is there any way you could afford an initial consultation fee? .. private consultants normally charge between £100 and £200 .. once you have dx it might be easier to progress to treatment options on NHS

hi twiglet.yes looked at links thanks.v.interesting, but nothing that looks like ds.bit like some of the severe excema pictures, his isnt as white.Ds has just started new job so money a bit tight,but if we have to ds health must come first if thats the only way we can get seen!

best advice I could give you is to keep putting pressure on your gp .. find out who he's referred you to and start putting pressure (pleasant) on consultant's secretary .. stress the emotional stress that DS is going through .. phone every day to see if there's been a cancellation

its sad .. but those who shout the loudest get seen the quickest ..

thanks twig, will defo get on to doc. & on & on &on

good luck

it is very stressful having a skin condition .. and I am sure the stress that DS is under is making it worse

hopefully it is some infection that can be cured

at the worst knowing what it is can help you find the tools to manage it

(I don't have psoriasis by the way .. but DH does)

would agree with twig - definitely phone up and find who he has been referred to and try and get a cancellation appointment.

Have they done blood tests or anything like that?

I'm also one with a dh suffering from psoriasis. He developed it at about 12-13 after numerous strep infections. It fluctuates depending on the time of year (sun def. helps) tiredness/stress (with his jos) diet (alcohol and citrus fruit are bad). In addition he has arthritis associated with it in fingers and toes. He def. has a family history but (the good news) is that a few of them seem to have "grown out of it".

jos = job

DS has PsA too chicagomum

not DS, ... DH

no fox havn't had any tests yet.interesting about citrus fruits,ds doesn't eat enough fruit but over xmas he went mad with the tangerines,wonder if that could have made it worse?

Brightstar - could it be discoid excema ?

My dd began to suffer this at around 9 years old not having had any other problems previously. It's not very pleasant and can be quite difficult to shift . Hope you get to see the specialist soon.

potty1.sorry not been able to get on pooter all wkend!
yes i think you might be right!! thanks.
My sons shin looks exactly like that,got an app through for the 17th feb! not surprised.
your poor DD, it must be worse for a girl, at least my son can keep his covered all the time.
How old is she now & does she still suffer with it?