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Guttate Psoriasis: Signs Or Symptoms, Specific Causes, Detection, Treatment And Prognosis

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

Causes and Triggers

A much less common type of psoriasis, guttate psoriasis is usually seen in patients younger than 30 years old. The condition usually develops quite suddenly and may appear 2-3 weeks after infection with strep throat or other lung disease. Guttate psoriasis, just like all types of psoriasis, isn't infectious but does seem to run in families as a potentially inherited condition. Most physicians believe that the condition is an abnormal inflammatory response; such responses might attack healthy cells as being bad or invasive.

Furthermore, the following are known to precipitate an outbreak of guttate psoriasis: bacterial or viral infections, including upper respiratory infections, skin injuries, including cuts, burns and bug bites, drugs just like those used to deal with coronary heart disorders and malaria, stress, sunburn and excessive consumption of alcohol.

In general, guttate psoriasis can be severe in individuals with weak or failing immune systems including people who are undergoing chemotherapy or who have AIDS or some other autoimmune problem just like rheumatoid arthritis.

Diagnosis and Tests

A doctor often must examine the affected person's skin. Diagnosis is mostly based on how the spots look and feel. Typically someone with such a disorder has recently experienced a sore throat or other upper respiratory problem. Confirming diagnostic tests may include a biopsy of the affected skin area(s) and/or a throat culture.

Treatment

The objective of treatment is to control signs and symptoms like pain and itching and to stop secondary infections. If the patient has an infection, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics to ward off secondary or worse infections. Most cases of guttate psoriasis are treated at home or as an out-patient. Medical 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 stimulate the rebuilding of skin

- moisturizers to control dry skin and flaking

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

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

Prognosis

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

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