Guttate psoriasis
Guttate [GUH-tate] psoriasis is a form of psoriasis that often starts in childhood or young adulthood. The word guttate is from the Latin word meaning "drop." This form of psoriasis resembles small, red, individual spots on the skin. Guttate lesions usually appear on the trunk and limbs. These spots are not usually as thick as plaque lesions.
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 (including antimalarials and beta-blockers). A streptococcal infection of the throat (strep throat) is a common guttate psoriasis trigger. Strep throat can be present without symptoms and can still cause a flare of guttate psoriasis. Talk with your doctor about getting a strep test to determine if you have an underlying strep infection. Guttate psoriasis may persist despite clearance of the strep infection. Some doctors prescribe antibiotics to help prevent an occurrence of an infection that can cause the outbreak of guttate psoriasis.
Moisturizers are considered the preferred treatment for guttate psoriasis. However, people often find it tedious to apply topical preparations to the multiple small "drops" on their skin. Phototherapy treatment with ultraviolet light B (UVB) or PUVA (the light-sensitizing drug psoralen plus ultraviolet light A) is also very effective for guttate psoriasis. Only in severe cases will doctors prescribe systemic medications (drugs given orally or by injection) for this type of psoriasis, although sometimes a short course of one of these drugs results in rapid and prolonged clearing.
Updated December 2005
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