Psoriasis Guttate

 

What Is Psoriasis Guttate

Psoriasis Guttate  is a relatively uncommon form of psoriasis, in fact less than two percent of people affected with it have this particular form and it has a very different appearance compared to the common plaque psoriasis.  It is mostly contracted by children and young adults less than thirty years of age.  It appears as multiple tear drop shaped lesions that are pinkish red in color covered with a very fine scale. “Gutta” being the Latin word for drop.

It is a condition that will appear suddenly and develop rapidly, usually after some form of infection.  It usually appears a few weeks after a strep throat infection.  It can last from several weeks up to a few months.

Guttate Psoriasis has also been known to form after:

•    Any type of infection including an upper respiratory infection
•    Some form of skin damage such as cuts, bites, sunburn or normal burn
•    Certain medicines
•    Stress or anxiety
•    Excessive alcohol consumption

Symptoms and Indications of Psoriasis Guttate

•    Small tear drop like lesions forming in a rash like pattern on the skin
•    Pinkish red in color with a diameter usually between one and ten millimeters
•    Covered with a fine scale or flake like plaque
•    Normally forms on the body trunk, thighs and upper arms
•    Sometimes will form on the scalp, face and ears
•    Possibility of mild to severe itchiness
•    Possible Pain
•    Possible Secondary skin infections

Treatment for Psoriasis Guttate

•    Topical: Cortisone cream, Vitamin D, Coal Tar lotions, Psoriasis moisturizers and shampoos
•    Photo Therapy: Natural sunlight or artificial UV light treatments
•    Oral or injection medication

Oral medications and injections are normally only given in extremely severe cases.  The purpose of the majority of these oral drugs is to suppress the body’s immune system in order to stop the increased skin cell production which causes the formation of the lesions.  The downside to this is that the patient has no protection from the immune system and is susceptible to infections.

We at Skin Care Help Online believe that having a good understanding of the disease is an imperative step in achieving a system that will find the most effective psoriasis cure for you.  Psoriasis is not only unpredictable as to when it will flare up or fall into remission, a specific treatment will also react favorably to one person yet have no affect whatsoever on another.  We therefore encourage you to gain as much information as possible to increase your knowledge on psoriasis guttate.