Recognising key clinical features of psoriasis in children

Psoriasis can present differently in children, making recognition and differential diagnosis particularly important in primary care. In this video, Dr Vincenzo Piccolo explores the clinical features that can help distinguish childhood psoriasis from several common and important mimics.

The presentation covers psoriasis across a range of sites, including the scalp, face, trunk, genital and nappy areas, skin folds, limbs, palms, soles and nails. Dr Piccolo highlights characteristic findings such as erythema and scaling, nail pitting and onycholysis, and the patterns of involvement that can help point towards a diagnosis.

Importantly, the video focuses on the differential diagnosis of psoriasis in children, with practical comparisons to conditions including atopic dermatitis, seborrhoeic dermatitis, tinea capitis, pityriasis amiantacea, pityriasis rosea, scabies and napkin dermatitis. Dermoscopy and trichoscopy findings are also discussed, demonstrating how these tools can provide additional diagnostic clues.

For clinicians, recognising the distribution and morphology of lesions – and knowing which alternative diagnoses to consider – can make a significant difference when assessing a child with a papulosquamous eruption.

Watch the video with Dr Piccolo for a detailed, image-based guide to recognising childhood psoriasis and distinguishing it from its clinical mimics.

Please note: This video contains graphic medical images of children. Viewer discretion is advised.

Watch the presentation

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About Dr Vincenzo Piccolo

Dr Vincenzo Piccolo is a dermatologist in private practice as well as responsible for the Paediatric Dermatology Service, Dermatology Unit, University of Campania, Naples, Italy. At the university, Dr Piccolo teaches the advanced course Management and Treatment of Skin Cancer and is also in the Paediatrics Residency School. He is the author of 92 scientific publications in international journals. 

 

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