Pediatric plaque psoriasis revealed
You might notice them on your child's knees, elbows, or scalp: raised, red patches with silvery scales. Your child might try to hide the plaques from his or her friends by wearing long pants and long sleeves. Ask your child's doctor if ENBREL can help your child get clearer skin for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.
- Plaque psoriasis is a chronic disease
- The exact cause isn't known, but studies suggest genetics may play a role for some patients
- It's not contagious
What is plaque psoriasis?
In simple terms, plaque psoriasis occurs when the immune system produces skin cells too quickly, causing new skin cells to form in days rather than weeks.
Here's what happens:
The immune system is designed to help protect your body from infections and diseases. Certain proteins known as cytokines, including one called tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), fight those infections and diseases.
With an autoimmune disease like chronic moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, the immune system doesn't work the way it should and starts to attack healthy cells. The cytokines, including TNF-alpha, overproduce, causing skin cells to grow too fast and build up.
Dramatization for educational purposes only.
The result is what you see on your child's skin: raised, red patches with silvery tops, known as plaques. Plaques can appear anywhere, but most often are seen on the elbows, knees, head, and lower back.
Dramatization for educational purposes only.
Check out THE ENBREL Chronicles to see how ENBREL works on your immune system to help stop skin cells from growing too quickly.
Because ENBREL works on your immune system, it can make it harder to fight infections.
Does your child have the following?
- Patches of thick, red skin with silvery scales on top
- Plaques can be anywhere on the skin (often on the face or scalp)
- Most plaques are on the elbows, knees, head, or lower back
If you've answered "yes" to any of these, talk with your child's doctor.
You and your child are not alone.
About
1.5 million
Americans suffer from moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.
The exact percentage of the pediatric population impacted by PsO is not defined, but there are
20,000
new cases reported in the US annually.
What can cause a flare-up?
There may be times when you notice that your child's moderate to severe
plaque psoriasis seems
to look worse. That's known as a flare-up. Flare-ups
can be caused by different factors, and
knowing your child's triggers may help.
Common triggers include:
- Infections (like strep throat or skin infections)
- An injury to the skin, like a cut, bug bite, or bad sunburn
- Cold weather
- Stress
- Reaction to certain medications
Understanding biologics
ENBREL is a medicine known as a "biologic" that has been approved to treat children aged 4 and older
and adults with moderate to severe pediatric plaque psoriasis who may benefit from taking
injections or pills (systemic therapy) or phototherapy (ultraviolet light).
You might have heard about biologics. Maybe you've even done some research.
Here is additional information to help you understand more.
What is a biologic?
Biologics are treatments made from living things, like cells and tissues. They can also be made from combinations of proteins, sugars, and nucleic acids. They are commonly used in treatments, including vaccines, gene therapy, and some therapeutic proteins. Biologics are often at the leading edge of biomedical (relating to biology and medicine) research.
How biologics work.
Biologics typically target specific parts of the immune system. So, for chronic moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, they block specific proteins in the immune system, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), which is an example of a cytokine that plays an important role in plaque psoriasis, causing skin cells to overproduce.
Take a look at How ENBREL Works for more details.
Because ENBREL works on your immune system, it can make it harder to fight infections.
Find a doctor for your child.
Enter your ZIP code to find a dermatologist near you.
Doctor Discussion Guide
Download and bring this Doctor Discussion Guide with you to your child's appointment, so you can get the conversation started.
ENBREL is a medicine that affects your immune system. ENBREL can lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections. Serious infections have happened in patients taking ENBREL. These infections include tuberculosis (TB) and infections caused by viruses, fungi, or bacteria that have spread throughout the body. Some patients have died from these infections. Your healthcare provider should test you for TB before you take ENBREL and monitor you closely for TB before, during, and after ENBREL treatment, even if you have tested negative for TB.
There have been some cases of unusual cancers, some resulting in death, reported in children and teenage patients who started using tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers before 18 years of age. Also, for children, teenagers, and adults taking TNF blockers, including ENBREL, the chances of getting lymphoma or other cancers may increase. Patients with RA may be more likely to get lymphoma.
- Have any existing medical conditions
- Are taking any medicines, including herbals
- Think you have, are being treated for, have signs of, or are prone to infection. You should not start taking ENBREL if you have any kind of infection, unless your healthcare provider says it is okay
- Have any open cuts or sores
- Have diabetes, HIV, or a weak immune system
- Have TB or have been in close contact with someone who has had TB
- Were born in, lived in, or traveled to countries where there is more risk for getting TB. Ask your healthcare provider if you are not sure
- Live, have lived in, or traveled to certain parts of the country (such as, the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys, or the Southwest) where there is a greater risk for certain kinds of fungal infections, such as histoplasmosis. These infections may develop or become more severe if you take ENBREL. If you don’t know if these infections are common in the areas you’ve been to, ask your healthcare provider
- Have or have had hepatitis B
- Have or have had heart failure
- Develop symptoms such as persistent fever, bruising, bleeding, or paleness while taking ENBREL
- Use the medicine Kineret (anakinra), Orencia (abatacept), or Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide)
- Are taking anti-diabetic medicines
- Have, have had, or develop a serious nervous disorder, seizures, any numbness or tingling, or a disease that affects your nervous system such as multiple sclerosis or Guillain-Barré syndrome
- Are scheduled to have surgery
- Have recently received or are scheduled for any vaccines. All vaccines should be brought up-to-date before starting ENBREL. Patients taking ENBREL should not receive live vaccines.
- Are allergic to rubber or latex
- Are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
- Have been around someone with chicken pox
ENBREL can cause serious side effects including: New infections or worsening of infections you already have; hepatitis B can become active if you already have had it; nervous system problems, such as multiple sclerosis, seizures, or inflammation of the nerves of the eyes; blood problems (some fatal); new or worsening heart failure; new or worsening psoriasis; allergic reactions; autoimmune reactions, including a lupus-like syndrome and autoimmune hepatitis.
Common side effects include: Injection site reactions and upper respiratory infections (sinus infections).
In general, side effects in children were similar in frequency and type as those seen in adult patients. The types of infections reported were generally mild and similar to those usually seen in children.
These are not all the side effects with ENBREL. Tell your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.
If you have any questions about this information, be sure to discuss them with your healthcare provider. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.
ENBREL is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms, keeping joint damage from getting worse, and improving physical function in patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis. ENBREL can be taken with methotrexate or used alone.
ENBREL is indicated for chronic moderate to severe plaque psoriasis (PsO) in children 4 years and older and adults who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or phototherapy (ultraviolet light).
ENBREL is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms, keeping joint damage from getting worse, and improving physical function in patients with psoriatic arthritis. ENBREL can be used with or without methotrexate.
ENBREL is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis.
ENBREL is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms of moderately to severely active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in children ages 2 years and older.
ENBREL is a medicine that affects your immune system. ENBREL can lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections. Serious infections have happened in patients taking ENBREL. These infections include tuberculosis (TB) and infections caused by viruses, fungi, or bacteria that have spread throughout the body. Some patients have died from these infections. Your healthcare provider should test you for TB before you take ENBREL and monitor you closely for TB before, during, and after ENBREL treatment, even if you have tested negative for TB.
There have been some cases of unusual cancers, some resulting in death, reported in children and teenage patients who started using tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers before 18 years of age. Also, for children, teenagers, and adults taking TNF blockers, including ENBREL, the chances of getting lymphoma or other cancers may increase. Patients with RA may be more likely to get lymphoma.
- Have any existing medical conditions
- Are taking any medicines, including herbals
- Think you have, are being treated for, have signs of, or are prone to infection. You should not start taking ENBREL if you have any kind of infection, unless your healthcare provider says it is okay
- Have any open cuts or sores
- Have diabetes, HIV, or a weak immune system
- Have TB or have been in close contact with someone who has had TB
- Were born in, lived in, or traveled to countries where there is more risk for getting TB. Ask your healthcare provider if you are not sure
- Live, have lived in, or traveled to certain parts of the country (such as, the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys, or the Southwest) where there is a greater risk for certain kinds of fungal infections, such as histoplasmosis. These infections may develop or become more severe if you take ENBREL. If you don’t know if these infections are common in the areas you’ve been to, ask your healthcare provider
- Have or have had hepatitis B
- Have or have had heart failure
- Develop symptoms such as persistent fever, bruising, bleeding, or paleness while taking ENBREL
- Use the medicine Kineret (anakinra), Orencia (abatacept), or Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide)
- Are taking anti-diabetic medicines
- Have, have had, or develop a serious nervous disorder, seizures, any numbness or tingling, or a disease that affects your nervous system such as multiple sclerosis or Guillain-Barré syndrome
- Are scheduled to have surgery
- Have recently received or are scheduled for any vaccines. All vaccines should be brought up-to-date before starting ENBREL. Patients taking ENBREL should not receive live vaccines.
- Are allergic to rubber or latex
- Are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
- Have been around someone with chicken pox
ENBREL can cause serious side effects including: New infections or worsening of infections you already have; hepatitis B can become active if you already have had it; nervous system problems, such as multiple sclerosis, seizures, or inflammation of the nerves of the eyes; blood problems (some fatal); new or worsening heart failure; new or worsening psoriasis; allergic reactions; autoimmune reactions, including a lupus-like syndrome and autoimmune hepatitis.
Common side effects include: Injection site reactions and upper respiratory infections (sinus infections).
In general, side effects in children were similar in frequency and type as those seen in adult patients. The types of infections reported were generally mild and similar to those usually seen in children.
These are not all the side effects with ENBREL. Tell your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.
If you have any questions about this information, be sure to discuss them with your healthcare provider. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.
ENBREL is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms, keeping joint damage from getting worse, and improving physical function in patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis. ENBREL can be taken with methotrexate or used alone.
ENBREL is indicated for chronic moderate to severe plaque psoriasis (PsO) in children 4 years and older and adults who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or phototherapy (ultraviolet light).
ENBREL is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms, keeping joint damage from getting worse, and improving physical function in patients with psoriatic arthritis. ENBREL can be used with or without methotrexate.
ENBREL is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis.
ENBREL is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms of moderately to severely active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in children ages 2 years and older.
- Close
ENBREL is a medicine that affects your immune system. ENBREL can lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections. Serious infections have happened in patients taking ENBREL. These infections include tuberculosis (TB) and infections caused by viruses, fungi, or bacteria that have spread throughout the body. Some patients have died from these infections. Your healthcare provider should test you for TB before you take ENBREL and monitor you closely for TB before, during, and after ENBREL treatment, even if you have tested negative for TB.
There have been some cases of unusual cancers, some resulting in death, reported in children and teenage patients who started using tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers before 18 years of age. Also, for children, teenagers, and adults taking TNF blockers, including ENBREL, the chances of getting lymphoma or other cancers may increase. Patients with RA may be more likely to get lymphoma.
- Have any existing medical conditions
- Are taking any medicines, including herbals
- Think you have, are being treated for, have signs of, or are prone to infection. You should not start taking ENBREL if you have any kind of infection, unless your healthcare provider says it is okay
- Have any open cuts or sores
- Have diabetes, HIV, or a weak immune system
- Have TB or have been in close contact with someone who has had TB
- Were born in, lived in, or traveled to countries where there is more risk for getting TB. Ask your healthcare provider if you are not sure
- Live, have lived in, or traveled to certain parts of the country (such as, the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys, or the Southwest) where there is a greater risk for certain kinds of fungal infections, such as histoplasmosis. These infections may develop or become more severe if you take ENBREL. If you don’t know if these infections are common in the areas you’ve been to, ask your healthcare provider
- Have or have had hepatitis B
- Have or have had heart failure
- Develop symptoms such as persistent fever, bruising, bleeding, or paleness while taking ENBREL
- Use the medicine Kineret (anakinra), Orencia (abatacept), or Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide)
- Are taking anti-diabetic medicines
- Have, have had, or develop a serious nervous disorder, seizures, any numbness or tingling, or a disease that affects your nervous system such as multiple sclerosis or Guillain-Barré syndrome
- Are scheduled to have surgery
- Have recently received or are scheduled for any vaccines. All vaccines should be brought up-to-date before starting ENBREL. Patients taking ENBREL should not receive live vaccines.
- Are allergic to rubber or latex
- Are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
- Have been around someone with chicken pox
ENBREL can cause serious side effects including: New infections or worsening of infections you already have; hepatitis B can become active if you already have had it; nervous system problems, such as multiple sclerosis, seizures, or inflammation of the nerves of the eyes; blood problems (some fatal); new or worsening heart failure; new or worsening psoriasis; allergic reactions; autoimmune reactions, including a lupus-like syndrome and autoimmune hepatitis.
Common side effects include: Injection site reactions and upper respiratory infections (sinus infections).
In general, side effects in children were similar in frequency and type as those seen in adult patients. The types of infections reported were generally mild and similar to those usually seen in children.
These are not all the side effects with ENBREL. Tell your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.
If you have any questions about this information, be sure to discuss them with your healthcare provider. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.
ENBREL is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms, keeping joint damage from getting worse, and improving physical function in patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis. ENBREL can be taken with methotrexate or used alone.
ENBREL is indicated for chronic moderate to severe plaque psoriasis (PsO) in children 4 years and older and adults who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or phototherapy (ultraviolet light).
ENBREL is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms, keeping joint damage from getting worse, and improving physical function in patients with psoriatic arthritis. ENBREL can be used with or without methotrexate.
ENBREL is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis.
ENBREL is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms of moderately to severely active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in children ages 2 years and older.
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- See More
ENBREL is a medicine that affects your immune system. ENBREL can lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections. Serious infections have happened in patients taking ENBREL. These infections include tuberculosis (TB) and infections caused by viruses, fungi, or bacteria that have spread throughout the body. Some patients have died from these infections. Your healthcare provider should test you for TB before you take ENBREL and monitor you closely for TB before, during, and after ENBREL treatment, even if you have tested negative for TB.
There have been some cases of unusual cancers, some resulting in death, reported in children and teenage patients who started using tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers before 18 years of age. Also, for children, teenagers, and adults taking TNF blockers, including ENBREL, the chances of getting lymphoma or other cancers may increase. Patients with RA may be more likely to get lymphoma.
- Have any existing medical conditions
- Are taking any medicines, including herbals
- Think you have, are being treated for, have signs of, or are prone to infection. You should not start taking ENBREL if you have any kind of infection, unless your healthcare provider says it is okay
- Have any open cuts or sores
- Have diabetes, HIV, or a weak immune system
- Have TB or have been in close contact with someone who has had TB
- Were born in, lived in, or traveled to countries where there is more risk for getting TB. Ask your healthcare provider if you are not sure
- Live, have lived in, or traveled to certain parts of the country (such as, the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys, or the Southwest) where there is a greater risk for certain kinds of fungal infections, such as histoplasmosis. These infections may develop or become more severe if you take ENBREL. If you don’t know if these infections are common in the areas you’ve been to, ask your healthcare provider
- Have or have had hepatitis B
- Have or have had heart failure
- Develop symptoms such as persistent fever, bruising, bleeding, or paleness while taking ENBREL
- Use the medicine Kineret (anakinra), Orencia (abatacept), or Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide)
- Are taking anti-diabetic medicines
- Have, have had, or develop a serious nervous disorder, seizures, any numbness or tingling, or a disease that affects your nervous system such as multiple sclerosis or Guillain-Barré syndrome
- Are scheduled to have surgery
- Have recently received or are scheduled for any vaccines. All vaccines should be brought up-to-date before starting ENBREL. Patients taking ENBREL should not receive live vaccines.
- Are allergic to rubber or latex
- Are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
- Have been around someone with chicken pox
ENBREL can cause serious side effects including: New infections or worsening of infections you already have; hepatitis B can become active if you already have had it; nervous system problems, such as multiple sclerosis, seizures, or inflammation of the nerves of the eyes; blood problems (some fatal); new or worsening heart failure; new or worsening psoriasis; allergic reactions; autoimmune reactions, including a lupus-like syndrome and autoimmune hepatitis.
Common side effects include: Injection site reactions and upper respiratory infections (sinus infections).
In general, side effects in children were similar in frequency and type as those seen in adult patients. The types of infections reported were generally mild and similar to those usually seen in children.
These are not all the side effects with ENBREL. Tell your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.
If you have any questions about this information, be sure to discuss them with your healthcare provider. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.
ENBREL is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms, keeping joint damage from getting worse, and improving physical function in patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis. ENBREL can be taken with methotrexate or used alone.
ENBREL is indicated for chronic moderate to severe plaque psoriasis (PsO) in children 4 years and older and adults who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or phototherapy (ultraviolet light).
ENBREL is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms, keeping joint damage from getting worse, and improving physical function in patients with psoriatic arthritis. ENBREL can be used with or without methotrexate.
ENBREL is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis.
ENBREL is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms of moderately to severely active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in children ages 2 years and older.
