Does exfoliative psoriasis affect children or infants?

Exfoliative psoriasis (also called erythrodermic psoriasis) is one of the five types of the autoimmune condition psoriasis. Psoriasis typically develops in people ages 15 to 30, but it can affect children and, in rare cases, infants. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, if one parent has psoriasis, their children have a 10% chance of developing the condition. If both parents have it, that risk rises to 50%.

Exfoliative psoriasis is the least common type of psoriasis. It usually develops in someone who has already been diagnosed with another type of psoriasis. Psoriasis can be hard to diagnose in infants and children, since it may look different than it does in adults. If a child is showing symptoms of exfoliative psoriasis (widespread reddening and shedding of the skin), bring the child to a doctor right away.