What's guttate psoriasis? Guttate psoriasis is a disorder of the skin that is characterized by smaller, red, teardrop-shaped areas which are seen on the arms, legs, back and chest. Some symptoms of guttate psoriasis might also be noticeable as salmon pink to red, scaly patches of inflamed skin more widely spread over the entire body. The spots usually itch and are covered with silver, flaky scales. The name is derived from the Latin word, guttate, meaning 'spotted as if by drops'.

Causes and Triggers

A much less common kind of psoriasis, guttate psoriasis is usually seen in patients younger than thirty years old. The condition usually develops quite abruptly and may appear two to three weeks after infection with strep throat or other lung disease. Guttate psoriasis, just like all kinds of psoriasis, isn't communicable but does seem to run in families as a potentially inherited condition. A lot of physicians think that the condition is an abnormal inflammatory response; such responses might attack healthy cells as being bad or invasive.

Moreover, the following are known to cause an outbreak of guttate psoriasis: bacterial or viral infections, including upper respiratory infections, pores and skin injuries, including cuts, burns and insect bites, medicines just like those used to deal with coronary heart problems and malaria, stress, sunburn and excessive consumption of alcohol.

In general, guttate psoriasis may be severe in persons with weak or failing immune systems including people who are undergoing chemotherapy or who have AIDS or some other autoimmune problem such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Diagnosis and Tests

A doctor often should examine the patient's skin. Diagnosis is usually based on how the spots look and feel. Typically somebody with such a condition has recently experienced a sore throat or other upper respiratory problem. Confirming diagnostic tests could include a biopsy of the affected skin area(s) and/or a throat culture.

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to control signs and symptoms just like pain and itching and to stop secondary infections. If the affected person has an infection, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics to ward off secondary or worse infections. A lot of cases of guttate psoriasis are treated at home or as an out-patient. Doctors recommend one or more of the following:

- cortisone or anti-itch creams (most have steroids)

- dandruff shampoos (over-the-counter and prescription)

- creams containing coal tar to promote the rebuilding of skin

- moisturizers to control dry skin and flaking

- dietary supplements containing vitamin D or vitamin A to help you restore healthy skin

Severe cases of guttate psoriasis might receive powerful medications to suppress the body's immune response like corticosteroids, cyclosporines and methotrexate. Sunshine and phototherapy may also control the symptoms. Phototherapy is actually a medical procedure that can be given alone or with drug(s) to make the skin extra sensitive to ultraviolet light.

Prognosis

The condition can also become chronic or get worse and become plaque-type psoriasis affecting bony parts. Secondary skin infections with severe itching and pain are possible complications. Note that guttate psoriasis could disappear completely or go into remission following treatment.

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