Guttate Psoriasis: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment Options

Guttate psoriasis is a type of psoriasis that is represented by tiny, pink-looking drop-like elements on the skin. Guttate is a word derived from the latin word gutta, meaning “drop”.The symptoms of this type of psoriasis are primarily delicate scales that is smaller than the scales seen in plaque psoriasis, the most common type of psoriasis. These scales are located on the pink or red inflammatory drop-like elements that may be present all over the body, but most commonly on the trunk.

The cause of this skin disease usually is a bacterial infection called streptococcal infection, usually in the throat,- also called strep throat (a respiratory condition). It most often begins during the first two or three weeks of the attack of strep throat. It is a reoccurring disease that goes and comes according to how it is treated and if the patient has frequent attacks of strep throat or other aggravators or triggers.

Individuals who have untreated or reoccurring guttate psoriasis may develop Plaque Psoriasis. . It happens in 1/3 to 2/3 of all cases.

This skin condition or disease can become chronic and are sometimes triggered by chicken pox, any type of influenza, roseola or other viruses and respiratory conditions.

Guttate psoriasis is more frequently found in children and adults who are under thirty years of age. This disease is not gender specific. It affects males and females equally.

Guttate psoriasis also has a genetic component. An individual who has family history of the disease or any psoriasis condition has an increased risk of contracting this skin disease when exposed to the right triggers.

Seeking a doctor’s diagnosis could be crucial in finding the right treatment for this disease. If you find yourself with an appearance of small drop like lesions on your skin some weeks after a strep throat, you should see a physician right away. This skin condition can last for several months or weeks depending on how well it is being treated. Most cases will disappear in weeks or months on its own. It may develop into chronic plaque psoriasis.

The dermatologist will be able to determine what skin condition it is by just looking at it and be able to accurately form a diagnosis. A blood test by the physician will reveal if the patient has strep throat and will be able to link it to the skin condition.

You can treat guttate psoriasis from home by asking your doctor to prescribe some type of medication that will be helpful in healing the disease, or apply the natural remedies mentioned below. Otherwise, you can purchase over the counter medication in the form of mild topical creams. This will help to keep the skin moist and prevent any added irritation to the skin. Doctors will probably prescribe a kind of treatment that helps to relieve or soothe the itching that comes with the disease.

Steroid creams, moisturizers, emollients and anti-itch medication may be needed. Antibiotics for the underlying streptococcal infection may also be used.

You can also buy moisturizers. at the pharmacy and use at night after you take a bath, so that it doesn’t stain your clothes through the day. These topical creams will assist you in reducing the inflammation to the skin and subside the itching.

Usually this will clear up in a few weeks on its own, but if severe, doctors can provide prescription for antibiotics for the strep throat. Steroid creams may be used, and moisturizers will be most helpful. Tamanu Oil will be most helpful. Sunlight is good for this guttate psoriasis skin condition. The ultra violate light in the sunlight helps to heal the disease. The doctor may prescribe a treatment called phototherapy, which is a short course of artificial sunlight therapy.

Individuals with extreme cases of guttate psoriasis can do surgery to remove their tonsils, but this is not usually recommended, and is only rarely performed.

Though this skin disease cannot be detected early, it can be managed appropriately. Patient should try to avoid too much scratching or rubbing of the skin at the onset of this skin disease. This may lead to further complications and flare-ups.

Natural methods of treatment are essential oils, tamanu oil, herbal remedies and coal tar.

What treatment you select will depend on how severe the skin condition is and how sensitive your skin is to different medications. If the disease has spread to more than one area, the topical cream may not be able to cover the whole area. So check with a doctor and get the medication or cream that you will need for your particular case.

Alternative therapy may be very effective, and include tamanu oil, essential oils and herbal remedies.

The herbal medicine Skin Dr. is known to bring psoriatic skin manifestations to silence for long periods.

If emotional symptoms of stress are predominant, and cause aggravations, consider Mind Soothe as well.

And don't forget the essential oils when treating guttate psoriasis! They work wonders!