Guttate Psoriasis - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Definition

Guttate psoriasis is a type of psoriasis that looks like small, salmon-pink drops on the skin. The word guttate is derived from the Latin word gutta, meaning drop. Usually there is a fine scale on the droplike lesion that is much finer than the scales in plaque psoriasis, which is the most common type of psoriasis. More common in individuals younger than 30 years, a history of upper respiratory infection secondary to group beta-hemolytic streptococci often precedes the eruption by 2-3 weeks. Although recurrent episodes may occur, especially those due to pharyngeal carriage of streptococci, isolated bouts are known to occur. Guttate psoriasis often comes on quite suddenly. A variety of conditions have been known to bring on an attack of guttate psoriasis, including upper respiratory infections, streptoccocal infections, tonsillitis, stress, injury to the skin and the administration of certain drugs

Causes

1. The exact cause of psoriasis is unknown but some factors are believed to be causing this disease.
2. Genetic factors play an important part as the condition can be inherited. So the chances are a lot if someone in your family is already have this disease in past.
3. Children suffering from the condition appear to have lost control of cell turnover; with skin cells reproducing faster than old ones are shed. This leads to layers of skin piling up, with the old silvery scales of dead cells on the surface forming the patches characteristic of psoriasis.
4. The masses of blood cells that gather at the injured or infected site produce factors to repair wounds, clot the blood, and fight any infective agents.
5. It may also caused by taking taking certain drugs such as lithium, beta-blockers such as propranolol, quinidine or antimalarial medications.

Symptoms

1. Guttate psoriasis appears as small, red spots on the skin.The spots are not usually thick and dry.
2. Small, salmon-pink (or red) drops usually appear suddenly on the skin 2-3 weeks after a streptococcal infection, such as strep throat or tonsillitis.
3. Nail changes, such as pits and ridges, which are characteristic of chronic psoriasis, may be absent.
4. Pitted, discolored, and possibly thickened fingernails or toenails.
5. There may be Joint pain in guttate psoriasis.
6. Dead cells accumulate in thicker patches on the skin's outermost layer.

Treatment

1. This type of psoriasis may be treated at home in most mild-to-moderate cases. Keeping the skin moist will prevent extra irritation.
2. Thick moisturizers applied after a bath to keep in moisture and soften the skin are helpful.
3. Antimicrobials can be used to cure guttate psoriasis.
4. Phototherapy: The clearance of guttate lesions can be accelerated by judicious exposure to sunlight or by a short course of either broadband UV-B or narrowband UV-B phototherapy.
5. It is usually extensive, making topical therapy more difficult, tars may help some, especially if combined with a topical corticosteroid, an ointment is often used in a compound of 5-10% liquor carbonis detergens with betamethasone 17 valerate 0.1%.