Home :: Skin Disorders :: Guttate Psoriasis

What Does Guttate Psoriasis Look Like

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder with no known cure. The name is derived from the Greek word Psora and means, “to itch”. It is the growth of too many skin cells. Where the normal skin matures in 20 to 30 days, the skin of a person with psoriasis takes only 3 to 6 days to mature. Psoriasis affects 1-3 percent of the world population and is not limited to a certain age group. Guttate Psoriasis is a very uncommon form of Psoriasis, characterized by water drop shape macules, which flake. Gutta is a Latin word that means “ a drop”. It occurs on the arms, legs, trunk and the scalp. People under 30 years are most affected by the disease. The condition is often aggravated by injuries due to cuts, burns, and insect bites and may affect people with autoimmune disorders, and those who have undergone chemotherapy, or suffer from viral infections such as HIV.

The disease is not contagious. It can stay for a few months and don’t leave scars, although previously affected areas may show post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. It is not fatal and can run its course over a few months or become a chronic disease. Both men and women of all race groups are affected. It is the Psoriasis that affects children the most. It may clear up on its own without treatment and reappear as Plaque Psoriasis.

Other factors that increase the risk and effects of Guttate Psoriasis

1. Excessive smoking and alcohol consumption
2. Lack of sunlight
3. Excessive exposure to sunlight
4. Stress and anxiety
5. Extreme cold
6. Rubbing of clothes against the skin
7. Obesity
8. Deficiency of vitamins and minerals
9. Beta blockers
10. Family history of Psoriasis
11. Previous viral infections such as rubella, roseola, and varicella

Symptoms of Guttate Psoriasis

1. Skin lesions that are red and covered with gray or silver scales.
2. Water drop shaped patches of skin
3. The lesions can cover the entire body or just parts
4. Loss of skin color in affected areas
5. Nail changes that are common with other types of Psoriasis is not present
6. Itching and irritation
7. People with an occurrence of HLA-CW6 and the HLA-C gene expression are more at risk.
8. Pain

Diagnosis of Guttate Psoriasis

The doctor does a physical examination and reviews your history of viral infections and family history of Psoriasis. He will enquire whether you had a sore throat before the patches appeared, will take a throat culture, and do a skin biopsy.

Treatment of Guttate Psoriasis

1. There is no cure for Psoriasis. Treatment normally focuses on the prevention of secondary infections and to treat the symptoms
2. Infections are treated with antibiotics
3. Mild cases can be treated at home, while severe cases are treated in hospital
4. Use non-dandruff shampoo
5. Use creams that contain tar
6. Moisturizers
7. Retinoids
8. Vitamin D medicine
9. Oral or injected immunosuppressants are prescribed for severe cases, since the steroids can cause a thinning of the skin when used on a long-term base.
10. Avoid respitatory infections
11. Avoid injuries to the skin and wear clothes that will not cause friction of the skin
12. Avoid excessive cold or heat
13. Bath in luke-warm water
14. Air dry the skin
15. Phototherapy
16. Use moisturizers instead of soap to prevent the skin from becoming too dry.
17. Moderate daily exposure to sunlight
18. Vitamin E supplements
19. Avoid refined white sugar and processed foods
20. Follow a diet rich in fish, garlic, parsley, lettuce, and lime and include grains, nuts, seeds, vegetables and fruit in your diet
21. Capsaicin ointments help to stop the production of the chemical that causes inflammation of the skin. Overuse of this ointment can result in burning of the skin
22. Soaking in luke-warm water with Chamomile
23. Supplements of vitamin A, folic acid, zinc, and selenium
24. Drink a lot of water
25. Avoid animal fats in the diet since they can trigger inflammation
26. Burdock tea, dandelion root and orange grape also help to reduce the symptoms.
27. Eliminate food allergens from your diet
28. Warm saltwater baths help to reduce inflammation

People who suffer from Guttate Psoriasis or other forms of Psoriasis can live a normal life with diet changes and by following the treatment guidelines.