About 8 percent of people living with psoriasis develop guttate psoriasis. This type of psoriasis often starts at an early age (childhood to young adulthood), though it can occur at any age. [1]
Psoriasis is a chronic disease that is caused by an overactive immune system and is associated with inflammation throughout the body. Symptoms may resolve and recur throughout a person's life.
Guttate psoriasis appears as many small, round, and scaly red spots that are often located on the arms, legs, and torso, however, they may develop on the face, ears, and scalp. The sores are covered by a fine scale and are not as thick as plaques. [2] Guttate psoriasis on skin of color can be challenging to diagnose since lesions may not appear red and/or scaly.
Many people with guttate psoriasis have another type of psoriasis elsewhere on the body at the same time such as plaque psoriasis.
The cause of psoriasis is not fully understood. Psoriasis lesions occur because the overactive immune system speeds up skin cell growth. Normal skin cells completely grow and shed (fall off) in a month. With psoriasis, skin cells do this in only three or four days. Instead of shedding, the skin cells pile up on the surface of the skin.
Inflammation caused by psoriasis can impact other organs and tissues in the body. People with psoriasis may also experience related health conditions. One in three people with psoriasis may also develop psoriatic arthritis.
Common triggers for guttate psoriasis include:
Learn more about triggers and flares by requesting a free Flare Guide and Symptom Tracker.
A health care provider will take several factors into consideration when making a diagnosis for psoriasis, including:
Guttate psoriasis may be misdiagnosed as pityriasis rosea and lichen planus.
Although there is no cure, there are more effective psoriasis treatments today than ever before. Treating psoriasis can help improve symptoms as well as lower the risk of developing psoriasis comorbidities such as psoriatic arthritis, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and depression.
Treatments for guttate psoriasis include:
There is no known way to prevent the onset of psoriasis, however, there are many ways that you can manage your triggers to reduce flares.
Psoriatic disease is lifelong, and symptoms may resolve and recur throughout the lifetime.
While there is no cure for psoriasis, treatments today are more effective than ever before and research into new treatments, as well as a cure, is ongoing. Treating psoriasis can help improve symptoms and may decrease the associated inflammation that can lead to psoriasis comorbidities such as psoriatic arthritis, heart disease, and depression.
Dr. Steven Feldman addresses prevalence, triggers such as strep infection, and potential treatment options for guttate psoriasis.
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Get information on treatment options, tips on talking to your doctor, and a checklist of what to bring to your appointment.
Learn about symptoms, triggers, and treatment options for guttate psoriasis.
Last updated on 03/27/2025 by the National Psoriasis Foundation.
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