Know All That You Needed Regarding Guttate Psoriasis

What Is Guttate Psoriasis?

A type of psoriasis that shows up on your skin as red, scaly, small, teardrop-shaped spots is guttate psoriasis. Normally it doesn’t leave a scar. As a child or young adult, you usually get it. Having this type is less than a third of people with psoriasis. It does not come to be as common as plaque psoriasis.  

Meaning that your body treats your cells like invaders and attacks them, it's an autoimmune disease. You could have several flare-ups, whereas you might get it only once. This type of psoriasis doesn’t go away in some cases. You can find a treatment to keep your symptoms under control with the help of your doctor. 

Symptoms of Guttate Psoriasis

As thick as the ones from plaque psoriasis aren’t the spots you get from guttate psoriasis. At once you can sometimes have both kinds of psoriasis. On your arms, legs, stomach, and chest, you would probably get them. 

From there to your face, ears, and scalp it can sometimes spread. Like other forms of psoriasis do, it doesn’t show up on the palms, the soles of your feet, or nails. When the air is dry, you are more likely to have a flare-up during the winter. In summer your symptoms may clear up more quickly. 

Stages of Guttate Psoriasis

Three stages are observed: 

Mild. Where only a few spots cover about 3% of your skin.

Moderate. With lesions covering about 3%-10% of your skin.

Severe. As the lesions cover 10% or more of your body and it could also cover your entire body.

On how much they interfere with your daily life and activities, the stage can also be based. It could be classified as severe because it affects your appearance and livelihood as psoriasis on your scalp or face can affect only 2-3% of your total body surface area. It could affect your livelihood if you work with your hands and you have psoriasis on your hands only covering 2% total body surface area. 

Causes & Triggers of Guttate Psoriasis

Typically, streptococcus or strep throat, an outbreak is usually triggered by a bacterial infection. Causing the spots on your skin sets off an immune system reaction. 

Guttate psoriasis is genetic in some cases. Your chances of getting it to go up if someone in your family has it. 

The following are the other triggers:

Upper respiratory

Sinus infections

Flu

Tonsillitis

Stress

Cuts, burns, or bites on your skin

Some drugs you take (antimalarials and beta-blockers)

Diagnosis of Guttate Psoriasis

Especially what kinds of medications you may be taking, your doctor will want to know your medical history. They may take a look at the affected skin. Giving your doctor enough information to diagnose or rule out guttate psoriasis is usually a physical exam. 

Your doctor may take a blood sample or a throat culture to check for strep if they need more information. When they want to know for sure what you have, it's also common for doctors to perform a skin biopsy. 

Treatment for Guttate Psoriasis

An outbreak of guttate psoriasis lasts 2 to 3 weeks in most cases. Helping prevent other infections in your body is your doctor wants to treat your symptoms. 

Medications.

For the itchy, flaky skin as well as the dryness and swelling, there are several over-the-counter or prescription options. Here they come to include: 

Cortisone cream for itching and swelling

Dandruff shampoo for your scalp

Lotions with coal tar to soothe your skin

Moisturizers

Prescription medicines with vitamin A

Your doctor may give you a prescription to take by mouth if your case is more serious. The following are included: 

Corticosteroids

Methotrexate

Biologics (guselkumab, ixekizumab)

Apremilast (Otezla)

Phototherapy. 

This is another option also known as light therapy. During this treatment, your doctor will shine ultraviolet light onto your skin. To make your skin react more quickly to light they may also give you medication. Just going out into the sunshine can help sometimes. 

How Can It Be Kept In Check? 

With all these tips you can help yourself while caring for guttate psoriasis. Proper care and support of friends and family can help you. So why do you wait? Instead of covering up in long-sleeved, loose-fitting clothes, you can assure yourself to get the best treatment from a doctor’s office. So quit brooding and wake up to a whole new life of care and health. We promise you can live happy and content with all the new regime.