Guttate psoriasis
Encyclopedia
Guttate psoriasis is a type of psoriasis
that presents as small (0.5-1.5 cm in diameter
) lesions over the upper trunk
and proximal extremities; it is found frequently in young adults. Guttate psoriasis is classically triggered by a bacterial
infection, usually an upper respiratory tract infection
.
For some people it starts as a throat infection, or strep throat
. After the throat infection has cleared up the person can feel fine for several weeks before noticing the appearance of red spots. They appear small at first, like a dry red spot which is slightly itchy. When stratched or picked the top layer of dry skin is removed, leaving angry dry red skin beneath with white dry areas marking where flakes of dry skin stop and start. In the weeks that follow the spots can grow to as much as an inch in diameter. Some of the larger ones may form a pale area in the centre which is slightly yellow.
Treatment is often a mild hydrocortisone, but this is not always effective. Other treatment includes sunlight (without getting sunburnt).
The condition often but not always clears up on its own.
The spots can be on any part of the body, particularly the legs, arms, torso, eyelids, back, bottom, bikini-line and neck. Generally the largest concentrations are seen on the arms, legs, back and torso.
Enthusiastic exfoliation can lead to bleeding so care and moisturisation are important to keep the affected skin healthy.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that appears on the skin. It occurs when the immune system mistakes the skin cells as a pathogen, and sends out faulty signals that speed up the growth cycle of skin cells. Psoriasis is not contagious. However, psoriasis has been linked to an increased risk of...
that presents as small (0.5-1.5 cm in diameter
Diameter
In geometry, a diameter of a circle is any straight line segment that passes through the center of the circle and whose endpoints are on the circle. The diameters are the longest chords of the circle...
) lesions over the upper trunk
Upper trunk
The upper trunk is a trunk of the brachial plexus which derives from the C5 and C6 roots.Damage to the upper trunk causes:Arm hangs by side,Elbow can’t flex,Arm medially rotated,Forearm pronated,‘waiter’s tip’,...
and proximal extremities; it is found frequently in young adults. Guttate psoriasis is classically triggered by a bacterial
Bacteria
Bacteria are a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms. Typically a few micrometres in length, bacteria have a wide range of shapes, ranging from spheres to rods and spirals...
infection, usually an upper respiratory tract infection
Upper respiratory tract infection
Upper respiratory tract infections are the illnesses caused by an acute infection which involves the upper respiratory tract: nose, sinuses, pharynx or larynx...
.
For some people it starts as a throat infection, or strep throat
Strep throat
Streptococcal pharyngitis, streptococcal tonsillitis, or streptococcal sore throat is a type of pharyngitis caused by a group A streptococcal infection. It affects the pharynx including the tonsils and possibly the larynx. Common symptoms include fever, sore throat, and enlarged lymph nodes...
. After the throat infection has cleared up the person can feel fine for several weeks before noticing the appearance of red spots. They appear small at first, like a dry red spot which is slightly itchy. When stratched or picked the top layer of dry skin is removed, leaving angry dry red skin beneath with white dry areas marking where flakes of dry skin stop and start. In the weeks that follow the spots can grow to as much as an inch in diameter. Some of the larger ones may form a pale area in the centre which is slightly yellow.
Treatment is often a mild hydrocortisone, but this is not always effective. Other treatment includes sunlight (without getting sunburnt).
The condition often but not always clears up on its own.
The spots can be on any part of the body, particularly the legs, arms, torso, eyelids, back, bottom, bikini-line and neck. Generally the largest concentrations are seen on the arms, legs, back and torso.
Enthusiastic exfoliation can lead to bleeding so care and moisturisation are important to keep the affected skin healthy.