Guttate Psoriasis – Causes And Treatments
Guttate psoriasis is a rare form of psoriasis that typically appears on the legs, arms, or trunk, though it can occur elsewhere on the body. Guttate psoriasis appears as small red or pink drops on the skin and is finer than the more common plaque psoriasis.
Guttate psoriasis is not contagious. It may run in the family and is most often triggered by an infection. The most common infection that triggers guttate psoriasis is a strep throat infection. The onset occurs a few weeks after the infection. There is no cure for guttate psoriasis, but it is possible that it will only happen once and then clear up. For others, it is recurring.
The guttate form of psoriasis is often mild and is more likely to cause irritation and itching than scarring. Although the lesions will often form on the legs and arms, they are unlikely to occur on the bottoms of the feet or on the palms of the hands.
Because it is generally mild, you may choose to see a doctor for treatment or you may choose to use over-the-counter remedies. Topical steroids can be purchased or prescribed by your doctor and will control both inflammation and itching. It’s important to keep your skin moisturized to reduce irritation. One of the best times to do this is after bathing.
Although over-the-counter treatments may be sufficient, you can also see your doctor for treatment. They may prescribe medication or decide to use ultraviolet light therapy, or photo-therapy, to control the guttate psoriasis. With photo-therapy, your skin is exposed to artificial ultraviolet light. It is an easy way to control a large area of psoriasis when compared with topical ointments and creams.
If you have other forms of psoriasis and suffer from a strep throat infection, you should see your doctor so you’re prepared if guttate psoriasis occurs. You should also see your doctor if it is reoccurring and comes back after it originally clears. Of course, many people choose to see their doctor for the first outbreak to ensure they choose the best treatment options for a speedy recovery.
No matter which path you choose to deal with your guttate psoriasis, control the itching and irritation and you should be well again in a few weeks.
