Guttate psoriasis

What is guttate psoriasis?

Guttate psoriasis is a psoriasis characterized by multiple small scaly plates on the trunk and extremities. Gutta is Latin for a drop; Guttate psoriasis looks like a shower of red, scaly tears that have fallen on the body.

Who gets guttate psoriasis?

Guttate psoriasis tends to affect children and young adults of both sexes and of all races.

What causes guttate psoriasis?

Guttate psoriasis often follows a strep infection throat or a viral upper respiratory tract infection. There may be a genetic disposition to psoriasis.

What are the clinical characteristics of guttate psoriasis?

Guttate psoriasis occurs very quickly, and within a few days the small, scaly red patches can spread widely. Occasionally there may be only a few scattered lesions in total.

Psoriasis plaques are usually concentrated around the trunk and upper arms and thighs. The face, ears, and scalp are also commonly affected, but the lesions can be very weak and disappear quickly in these areas.

How is guttate psoriasis diagnosed?

The diagnosis of guttate psoriasis is made by combining a history, clinical appearance of the eruptionand evidence of previous infection.

See more images of guttate psoriasis.

What is the treatment of guttate psoriasis?

Treatment for guttate psoriasis may include:

• Treatment of an underlying streptococcal infection with antibiotics.
• Phototherapy
• Current agents including topical steroids, coal tar, and calcipotriol.

Guttate psoriasis rarely requires treatment with oral medications.

What is the result of guttate psoriasis?

Guttate psoriasis often clears up spontaneously in three to four months. Some people have small or large persistence license plate psoriasis. Another guttate psoriasis outbreak can follow a strep throat infection.