Guttate Psoriasis Treatment In Gainesville, FL

Guttate psoriasis is a disease of the skin that often develops following an infection, such as strep throat. This condition can develop suddenly and without warning. While guttate psoriasis is most common in young adults and children, it can also occur in adults. The primary characteristic of this condition is its small, red, scaly spots or lesions with silvery scales that usually appear on the arms, legs, and trunk. These spots take the form of a tear-drop shape ("guttate" comes from the Latin word for "drop").

This condition is relatively uncommon, with only about 8% of people living with psoriasis developing guttate psoriasis. Early diagnosis and treatment of this skin condition are important for managing symptoms and identifying triggers, and avoiding them when possible. Get comprehensive treatment customized to your unique needs in a state-of-the-art facility with a dermatologist in Gainesville at Gainesville Dermatology & Skin Surgery. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment.

What Is Guttate Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition that causes discoloration, irregular texture, and discoloration of the skin. Guttate psoriasis is a type of psoriasis that develops on the skin as small, red-colored spots in the shape of teardrops scattered over nearly the whole body. This form of psoriasis usually appears without warning, and it usually develops after a person has strep throat caused by Group A Streptococcus or another type of infection or after taking certain medications.

Guttate psoriasis is most common in earlier life, such as during childhood, though it may occur in adulthood. The small spots that appear on the skin are known as papules, which are raised and may have a scale covering the surface of the affected area. These papules form as a result of inflammation in the skin, and they can appear anywhere on the body, including the arms, legs, torso, face, ears, and scalp. Unlike other forms of psoriasis, there are no guttate psoriasis stages, as this condition tends to appear without warning signs.

What Does Guttate Psoriasis Look Like?

Guttate psoriasis presents as red or pink, scale-covered small, teardrop-shaped lesions that don't typically leave behind scars. This condition comes on rapidly, oftentimes several weeks after an infection or after taking certain medications, such as lithium and beta-blockers. The word "guttate" comes from the Latin word for "drop," which is "gutta." Named for their teardrop-shaped lesions, these spots usually appear scattered over different areas of the body. These lesions are oftentimes raised and feature a thin white scale at their surface. These spots don't usually cause pain, but they can cause the skin to feel itchy and uncomfortable.

Guttate Psoriasis Vs. Plaque Psoriasis

Plaque psoriasis, also known as psoriasis vulgaris, is the most common type of psoriasis, with the vast majority of people with psoriasis having plaque psoriasis. It is marked by characteristic thick red, pink, or purple lesions on the skin, which are often silver-white or gray in color and have the appearance of a scale. These patches can occur anywhere, though they commonly occur on the elbows, knees, lower back, and scalp.

Plaque psoriasis lesions may be as small as 1 centimeter in diameter or comprise large patches that cover substantial areas of the skin. Guttate psoriasis is related to chronic psoriasis, though these are not the same condition. Most people with guttate psoriasis recover completely over time. Yet, a portion of people with guttate psoriasis may develop chronic psoriasis or chronic plaque psoriasis, in which sweeping swaths of skin are covered in scales or plaques.

What Causes Guttate Psoriasis?

The exact causes of psoriasis are unknown. However, two main factors (genetics and bacterial infections) are associated with this condition. Psoriasis is linked to at least two genes, though it may be connected to more. If you have family members with psoriasis or chronic psoriasis, particularly your parents, you are more likely to develop psoriasis or chronic psoriasis, too. Another potential guttate psoriasis cause is bacterial infections.

This form of psoriasis is usually linked to infections that result from Group A Streptococcus. This bacteria is a common cause of strep throat and related infectious conditions. Individuals with HIV, autoimmune conditions, and conditions in which the immune system is suppressed by chemotherapy also have a higher risk of developing guttate psoriasis.

What Triggers Guttate Psoriasis?

Guttate psoriasis is strongly associated with bacterial infections, such as strep throat, which are contagious or can be passed from one person to another. Yet, guttate psoriasis is not contagious and cannot be spread from one person to another. Though the cause of guttate psoriasis is not known, bacterial or viral infections, like the flu, sinus infections, upper respiratory infections, streptococcal infection, or tonsillitis may be linked with the onset of this condition. Other potential triggers of guttate psoriasis outbreaks or flare-ups include skin injuries, such as cuts, insect bits or stings, or burns, as well as sunburn, high stress, certain medications, and smoking. Your guttate psoriasis triggers may be unique to you.

Guttate Psoriasis Symptoms

Flare-ups of guttate psoriasis are usually sudden. Of the most common guttate psoriasis symptoms is the appearance of small, irregularly colored lesions on the skin that increase in severity and enlarge in size. They may cover large swaths of the body or may remain in smaller patches. These lesions are generally small in size, red, brown, or pink in color, non-overlapping, and in the shape of a droplet or teardrop.

These lesions are typically smaller in size than the lesions found in plaque psoriasis. In many cases, guttate psoriasis usually clears up on its own without treatment within a few weeks. However, there are several potential outcomes. If you develop guttate psoriasis, you may never develop it a second time, it can recur intermittently, or it can develop into a chronic psoriatic condition.

How Is Guttate Psoriasis Diagnosed?

Due to its appearance, guttate psoriasis can be mistaken for tinea corporis, secondary syphilis, nummular eczema, or pityriasis rosea. Guttate psoriasis can usually be diagnosed by its appearance alone. Your dermatologist can usually diagnose guttate psoriasis by examining the affected areas of your skin. They may also recommend certain tests, such as a skin biopsy, throat swab culture, and blood tests, that can help them confirm their diagnosis.

In a skin biopsy, your dermatologist takes a sample of your skin and sends it to the lab for testing to confirm a diagnosis of guttate psoriasis. The throat swab culture is a test for bacteria, particularly those that cause strep throat (Group A Streptococcus). Individuals with guttate psoriasis typically test positive for this bacteria. In some cases, blood tests may be ordered in order to look for certain markers in the immune system that indicate the presence of or recent presence of bacterial infections.

How Is Guttate Psoriasis Treated?

There is no known guttate psoriasis cure. However, most cases of guttate psoriasis clear up on their own within 3—4 months of their initial development. Guttate psoriasis can recur or develop into chronic psoriasis. Guttate psoriasis treatment can help reduce signs and symptoms of the condition and prevent other potential infections from occurring in the body. Treatment plans for guttate psoriasis vary and usually depend on the severity of the condition. For mild guttate psoriasis, your dermatologist may recommend certain prescribed topical medications, such as creams that reduce inflammation-related itchiness, corticosteroids that reduce inflammation, creams, and lotions with coal tar, and topical medications that contain vitamin D.

They may also prescribe oral medications containing vitamin D or over-the-counter or prescribed dandruff shampoo, for those with guttate psoriasis on their scalp. In severe cases, your doctor may recommend immunosuppressant medications, which are similarly prescribed for treating chronic psoriasis, biologic medications that target and block specific areas of the immune system, and ultraviolet (UV) therapy or phototherapy, either on its own or in combination with other treatments. Laser treatments may be recommended if a case of guttate psoriasis turns into chronic plaque psoriasis or chronic psoriasis. They may also recommend a certain skincare regimen to help reduce symptoms and promote healthier skin.

Can Guttate Psoriasis Be Prevented?

Unfortunately, no. Because there is no known method to identify who will develop guttate psoriasis, there is likewise no known way to prevent the development of the condition. But individuals who have previously been diagnosed with guttate psoriasis, particularly those who develop chronic plaque psoriasis, may experience subsequent flare-ups of the condition. These flare-ups or attacks are related to risk factors for guttate psoriasis, including bacterial or viral infections, burns, sunburns, skin injuries, insect bites and stings, certain medications, excessive alcohol consumption, and high levels of stress.