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Symptoms of arthritis in children

by Alivia Nyhan
Published: Last Updated on

Arthritis is an alteration in the joints that causes inflammation in them. This pathology causes various discomforts such as pain, swelling, stiffness, and a decrease in the ability to move in the sector of the body that is present. Although this disease is closely related to advanced age, there are some cases in which a child can also suffer from it, known as juvenile arthritis, which is diagnosed with specific symptoms in children under 16 years of age.

Arthritis in children may be presented as a symptom of other disorders such as alterations in the spine, the gastrointestinal tract, the skin, or some other affected organ. For this reason, a medical consultation must be carried out when noticing specific characteristics of inflammation in the joints. If you want to know more about this condition, in the following FastlyHealarticle, we detail the symptoms of arthritis in children.

Arthritis in children: symptoms

The main symptoms of arthritis in children are:

  • Joint swelling
  • Joint pain.
  • Joint stiffness
  • Redness and warmth in the area.
  • Skin rash.
  • Swollen glands.
  • Fever.

We will explain them more extensively below.

Joint swelling and pain

When the joints are swollen, they can be accompanied by significant pain and, generally, it causes a slight deformity in the area, making it look abnormal for a size larger than it should be.

Although inflammation and discomfort in the joints are prevalent symptoms of arthritis in children, this produces other symptoms that can also be very characteristic of it, that is, stiffness in the affected area. Despite this, there may still be heat in the place and redness, which can be very uncomfortable for the patient.

Acne

There are some types of arthritis in which an obvious symptom can be noticed in the most significant organ that a person contains: the skin. Therefore, it is always necessary to pay close attention to any mark, color change, bumps, or something abnormal that a child may present in any part of his body.

Some arthritis can cause skin disorders such as:

  • Lumps
  • Bruises
  • Small injuries

Although they are not severe symptoms of arthritis, they should not be missed, and it is essential to consult a specialist so that he can check the child and offer the most appropriate treatment for his case.

Enlargement of the liver and spleen

Some forms of arthritis in children, such as rheumatoid arthritis, can cause an enlarged liver and spleen in your child. It is essential to carry out controls if arthritis is known or suspected.

At the same time, this symptomatology can cause other symptoms such as:

  • Hip discomfort.
  • Weight loss for no apparent reason.
  • Fatigue.
  • Feeling of excessive hunger.
  • Diarrhea .
  • Presence of certain infections.

This increase in the size of the organs can also be due to other pathologies such as cancer or anemia, so a doctor should be visited for the correct diagnosis.

Swollen glands and fever

Another symptom of arthritis in children can be swollen glands, depending on the type of disorder the child is suffering from. This can bring some pain in the throat, either constantly or when trying to swallow food or even saliva.

On the other hand, some arthritis can cause fever in children, and it could become very high, so it must be controlled urgently. In addition, these symptoms belong to numerous disorders, making this pathology easily confused with others, and the specialist must diagnose and medicate the disease.

Treatment for children with arthritis

As arthritis is a disease that has no cure, the goal of treatment is to:

  • Control inflammation.
  • Reduce symptoms.
  • Prevent joint damage.
  • Ensure that these maintain their function as best as possible.

Thus, the doctor will indicate the treatment for the child according to the type of arthritis that is diagnosed, the state of the disease, and the symptoms that appear.

Treatment for arthritis in children is generally based on administering non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs, mainly ibuprofen and naproxen, which reduce pain and inflammation. In most cases, these drugs are sufficient to control the disease and become very effective when few joints are affected.

Likewise, the specialist could indicate the intake of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs or DMARDs, such as methotrexate, corticosteroids, or biological agents. These drugs are more potent than NSAIDs, and although they do not have an immediate effect on relieving pain and inflammation, they give excellent long-term results; they are also ideal for preventing joint damage. They are generally prescribed in the second stage of treatment and in those children who have arthritis in numerous joints, or the symptoms do not diminish.

On the other hand, the child with arthritis must undergo physical therapy to maintain the strength and mobility of the joints and muscles around him. The most advisable thing is for a specialist to monitor the treatment and indicate the exercises, and their intensity, that the child can perform.

This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Symptoms of arthritis in children , we recommend that you enter our category of Bones, Joints and Muscles .

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