Guttate Psoriasis

Guttate psoriasis is characterized by small red dots (or drops) of psoriasis. Guttate is derived from the Latin word gutta meaning "drop." The guttate psoriasis is relatively uncommon affecting fewer than 2% of those with psoriasis. Guttate psoriasis is more common in children and adults younger than 30 years. Boys and girls are equally affected. An outbreak of guttate psoriasis may be an immune reaction that is triggered by a previous streptococcal infection or some other type of infection. Guttate psoriasis is also known as Eruptive psoriasis and is considered the least severe form of psoriasis. The treatment of guttate psoriasis is easy

Guttate psoriasis often appears on the trunk (back, chest, and abdomen), arms and legs. The lesions may have some scale. Guttate psoriasis frequently appears suddenly following a streptococcal (strep) infection or viral upper respiratory infections. There are also other events that can bring on an attack of guttate psoriasis: tonsillitis, a cold, chicken pox, immunizations, physical trauma, psychological stress, illness, and the administration of anti-malarial drugs. Guttate psoriasis is many small patches of psoriasis, all over the body, and often happens after a throat infection. Guttate Psoriasis most often affects children and young adults. It appears as small, red bumps-the size of drops of water-on the skin. It usually appears suddenly, often several weeks after an infection such as strep throat.

All types of psoriasis are caused when the infection-fighting white blood cells, called T-cells, malfunction. Under normal circumstances, T-cells fight against foreign invaders. However, in individuals with psoriasis, the T-cells actually attack the skin. The rash of psoriasis results from a combination of damage to the skin by T-cells, inflammation in the skin, and overproduction of new skin cells.

Antibiotics may be used to treat guttate psoriasis that is triggered by an infection. Guttate psoriasis usually responds to treatment and may gradually go away on its own.

The facial lesions of guttate psoriasis should not be confused with the papules of rosacea. Rosacea is an inflammation of the skin with resulting facial redness and symptoms of vasculation of spidery blood vessels, swelling, and rosacea papules which are red solid elevated inflammatory skin lesions without pus.