Guttate Psoriasis
Medical Author:
Gary W. Cole, MD, FAAD
Gary W. Cole, MD, FAADDr. Cole is board certified in dermatology. He obtained his BA degree in bacteriology, his MA degree in microbiology, and his MD at the University of California, Los Angeles. He trained in dermatology at the University of Oregon, where he completed his residency. Medical Editor:
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACRDr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
Guttate Psoriasis OverviewGuttate psoriasis is a type of psoriasis that looks like small, salmon-pink drops on the skin. The word guttate is derived from the Latin word gutta, meaning drop. Usually there is a fine scale on the droplike lesion that is much finer than the scales in plaque psoriasis, which is the most common type of psoriasis.
The trigger to the disease is often a streptococcal (bacterial) infection. The eruption of the lesions on the skin usually happens within two to three weeks of strep throat. The outbreak can go away and not reoccur. Outbreaks may also go away and come back, particularly if the person is a strep carrier (always carries streptococcal bacteria in his respiratory system). The sudden appearance of an outbreak may be the first psoriasis outbreak for some people. Alternatively, a person who has had plaque psoriasis for a long time may suddenly have an episode of guttate psoriasis. This type of psoriasis can also be chronic and can be triggered by infections other than those from streptococcal bacteria. For example, the chickenpox or colds can trigger the psoriasis. Who gets guttate psoriasis? The guttate form of psoriasis is relatively uncommon. Fewer than 2% of those with psoriasis have the guttate type. Guttate psoriasis is more common in children and adults younger than 30 years of age. Boys and girls are equally affected. Viewer Comments & ReviewsGuttate Psoriasis - SymptomsThe eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:What were the symptoms of your guttate psoriasis? |
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Guttate Psoriasis
What Is Psoriasis - Overview
Psoriasis is a common and chronic skin disease. A person with psoriasis generally has patches of raised red skin with thick silvery scales. The affected skin may be red and scaly or have pustules, depending on the type of psoriasis the individual has.
Psoriasis is usually found on the arms, legs, trunk, nails, or scalp, but psoriasis may be found on any part of the skin. The most commonly affected areas are the knees and elbows.
Plaque psoriasis on the elbow. Plaque psoriasis is the most common type of psoriasis. Image courtesy of Hon Pak, MD.
Psoriasis is not an infection and therefore is not contagious. Touching the affected skin and then touching someone else will not transmit psoriasis. However, the red scaly skin can become infected, especially when there are splits in the skin.
The immune system plays a key...
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Psoriasis, Guttate »
Guttate psoriasis refers to a distinctive, acute clinical presentation of an eruption characterized by small, droplike, 1-10 mm in diameter, salmon-pink papules, usually with a fine scale
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