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Psoriasis; guttate Causes and Risks:
Guttate psoriasis is a relatively uncommon form of psoriasis , affecting 8 out of 100,000 people. It can appear suddenly or gradually, but it generally follows a lung infection.
Psoriasis seems to be an inherited disorder, and it appears to be related to the immune or inflammatory response . It often is aggravated by injury or irritation (cuts, burns , rash , insect bites ), and may be severe in immunosuppressed people (such as those who have chemotherapy for cancer , or with AIDS ) or in people who have autoimmune disorders (such as rheumatoid arthritis ). Medications, viral or bacterial infections, excessive alcohol consumption , obesity , lack of sunlight, overexposure to sunlight ( sunburn ), stress , cold climate, and frequent friction on the skin are also associated with flare-ups of psoriasis. The disorder is not contagious.
Normally, skin takes about a month for its new cells to move from the lower layers to the surface. In psoriasis, this process takes only a few days, resulting in the build-up of dead skin cells and formation of thick scales . The lesions of guttate psoriasis are found all over the body.
Prevention:
None is known. Minimize flare-ups by avoiding aggravating factors.
Symptoms:
Signs and Tests:
Diagnosis is usually based on the appearance of the skin. There is often a history of recent lung infection. Skin biopsy or scraping and culture of skin patches may be used to rule out other disorders.
Treatment:
Treatment is focused on control of the symptoms and prevention of secondary infections . It varies with the extent and severity of the disorder.
Severe or resistant cases, or cases involving large areas of the body, may require intensive treatment. Psoriasis lesions that cover all or most of the body are an emergency symptom that require hospitalization. The disorder may be acutely painful. The body loses vast quantities of fluid, and is susceptible to severe secondary infections that can become systemic (involving internal organs) and can progress to septic shock and death. Treatment includes analgesics , sedation, intravenous fluids, and antibiotics.
Mild cases are usually treated at home. Topical medications include: - prescription or nonprescription dandruff shampoos
- shampoos or lotions that contain coal tar
- cortisone or other corticosteroids
- lubricants
- antifungal medications
- antibiotics
- phenol
- sodium chloride
- other ingredients
Oral or injected immunosuppressive medications ( such as corticosteroids or methotrexate) may be used but only in very severe cases. Other medications may include retinoids or cyclosporine.
Other treatments may include exposure to sunlight or phototherapy. The skin is sensitized by applying coal tar ointment or by taking oral psoralens (a medication that makes the skin sensitive to light). The person is then exposed to ultraviolet light.
To minimize flare-ups, maintain good general health. Avoid respiratory and other infections.
Prognosis:
Psoriasis is not curable, but it can be controlled with treatment.
Complications:
- skin cancer
- rapid skin aging
- cataracts
- complications secondary to treatments
- secondary skin infections with spread to internal organs
Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms indicate guttate psoriasis (for example, if psoriasis symptoms develop after a lung infection).
Guttate psoriasis is a rare form of psoriasis. It appears rapidly and affects a large portion of the skin. This picture shows the appearance of guttate psoriasis on the arms.
This is a picture of guttate (shaped like a drop) psoriasis on the arms and chest. Guttate psoriasis is a rare form of psoriasis. It frequently follows a streptococcal infection, appears rapidly and affects the face, chest (trunk) and nearest (proximal) limbs. The patches are small and round or oval and have the typical appearance of psoriasis. It is seen almost exclusively in children. This photograph shows the diffuse and widespread coverage on the arm and chest.
This is a picture of guttate (shaped like a drop) psoriasis on face and neck. Guttate psoriasis is a rare form of psoriasis. It frequently follows a streptococcal infection, appears rapidly and affects the face, chest (trunk) and nearest (proximal) limbs. The patches are small and round or oval and have the typical appearance of psoriasis. It is seen almost exclusively in children. This photograph shows the diffuse and widespread coverage on the face and neck.
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