For kids: facts about your skin and psoriasis

Did you know that your skin is an organ just like your heart, liver and lungs? It’s actually the biggest organ you have and it is always hard at work!

Your skin has a couple of different jobs, including:

• Your skin keeps your body at its own perfect temperature.
• Your skin helps you get rid of things you don't need, like extra salt and water and chemicals, by pushing them out through the sweat glands in your skin
• Your skin keeps bacteria out of your body. The nerve endings in your skin tell you "ouch" when you touch something that might burn or stick.
• Your skin also shows what is going on inside your body. Certain skin rashes can tell your doctor you have an infection, an illness or an allergy.
• Your skin even gives away your emotions. Have you ever turned bright red from embarrassment or pale white from fright?

Your skin has four layers – but you need a microscope in order to see them all:

• The top layer, the one you can see and feel, is called the keratin layer. It's made of dead cells that protect the more delicate layers underneath. It is constantly being worn away and replaced by new cells that move up from the layer below.
• The layer below the top is called the epidermis. It is made of living cells. It also contains the pigment that gives your skin its color. The epidermis is nourished by the blood vessels in the layer below, which is called the dermis.
• The dermis is a lot thicker than the epidermis and is very elastic, so your skin is able to stretch and move. Your sweat glands in the dermis have tiny tubes leading to the surface of the skin. It also contains hair follicles–the bulb-like structures that hairs grow from. The nerve endings that sense heat, cold and pain are also in the dermis.
• The bottom layer of the dermis is called subcutaneous tissue. Fat is stored there, which keeps you cool when it is hot and warm when the outside air is cold. The fat is also a shock absorber and stores extra fuel for your body.

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis [sore-i-a-sis] makes your skin red, dry, and crusty, especially around your elbows, knees, and scalp. You might also find it on your upper buttocks, your palms, the soles of your feet, and your genitals. It usually runs in families – so you might have a cousin, or an aunt or uncle, brother or sister who also has psoriasis. It is not contagious! You can not "catch" psoriasis from a person who has it, as you would from people who have a cold or other infection.

How do I know if I have psoriasis?

If your skin is scalier than usual, especially on your elbows and knees, it may be psoriasis. That's when you should go to a dermatologist for treatment. A dermatologist is a special skin doctor.

Why do I have psoriasis?

Psoriasis usually runs in families. You may have gotten psoriasis just like you may have inherited your grandmother's eyes, or your father's nose. Psoriasis is just another part of you.

Why is my skin different?

Skin with psoriasis tends to "grow" faster than skin not affected by psoriasis. Normal skin cells take four weeks to go from the bottom skin layer to the top skin layer, where they die. Skin with psoriasis grows and dies off in only three to four days. The cells pile up on top of each other, making silvery white scales that are called "plaques." The pile of cells makes the skin under it inflamed, red and itchy.

Can I make it go away?

Psoriasis may go away with different treatment, or sometimes on its own. But there isn't a cure. This means that you may need to keep on using your treatments. It can be a pain to put on lotion and go to the doctor, but it will help your psoriasis to look better, and even go away.

If you have a mild or average case of psoriasis, your doctor may prescribe a cream or lotion that will help. If your skin is very dry and scaly, your doctor may treat you with pills, light therapy, or both.

What makes psoriasis worse?

Some people say their psoriasis gets worse when they are mad or upset, but other people say stress doesn't do anything to their psoriasis. You may want to watch your psoriasis for several weeks after you've been angry to see if it gets worse. Everyone gets mad or upset once in a while and it would be hard to avoid not doing that.

Other things like changes in the weather, injuries, illnesses and starting or stopping any medications can all lead to a flare-up of psoriasis. It is difficult to pinpoint exactly what makes psoriasis get worse. That is why you should keep an eye on your case of psoriasis and see if you can pinpoint any patterns that make it better or worse.

Some people have noticed their psoriasis improves when they start or stop eating a certain kind of food. However, it's best to eat healthy food and to avoid junk food, because you're body is growing and needs a wide variety of nutrients.