Guttata psoriasis (guttata): symptoms, causes and treatment

Definition

What is psoriasis guttata (guttate psoriasis)?

Guttata psoriasis skin disease (psoriasis gutata) is a type of psoriasis characterized by the appearance of small, crusty red spots that can spread widely on the affected area of ​​the skin. These spots often appear on the chest, arms and legs.

The name guttata itself is taken from the Latin word "gutta" which means water droplets, which describes the symptoms of causing spots the size of water droplets.

This type of psoriasis generally begins to appear in children through adolescence, sometimes it can also appear after a person enters young adulthood. This condition can occur suddenly or after the patient has experienced another disease such as a bacterial infection Streptococcus .

How common is guttate psoriasis?

In WHO statistics, there are 2-3% of the 125 million people in the world who suffer from psoriasis.

Guttata psoriasis is the type of psoriasis most often experienced after psoriasis vulgaris or plaque psoriasis. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, 8 percent of people with psoriasis will experience guttate psoriasis.

In a review written by Sampson Regional Medical Center, it is known that there are at least 30 percent of psoriasis guttate cases of all existing psoriasis cases.

Children, adolescents, and adults over the age of 30 are the most common groups to contract psoriasis. This disease is not only experienced by certain genders, both men and women have the opportunity to get this psoriasis.

Signs and symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of guttate psoriasis?

In the time of onset or early development of psoriasis, guttate has similarities with psoriasis vulgaris or plaque psoriasis. These psoriasis symptoms can appear suddenly and then develop rapidly on the affected skin area.

The difference is, the form of guttate psoriasis is not a plaque or red, thickened skin rash, but in the form of small red spots or also known as pustules. However, unlike psoriasis vulgaris, the symptoms of which focus on certain spots, these red spots usually spread widely.

Guttate psoriasis symptoms most often appear on the front of the body starting from the chest, arms and legs. In some cases, psoriasis spots can spread more widely on the face, ears, and scalp.

Symptoms almost never appear on the nails, palms and feet like other types of psoriasis. The appearance of symptoms can coincide with the occurrence of psoriasis vulgaris.

When is it best to see a doctor?

If you experience symptoms and signs as mentioned above, especially when the symptoms do not go away for a long time, immediately see a dermatologist.

Some other conditions that require you to get medical treatment for guttate psoriasis as soon as possible are as follows.

• It is persistent and makes you uncomfortable or even sick.
• Symptoms have made you worry that they will interfere with your appearance.
• Difficulty going through your daily routine.
• The appearance of pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints.

Medical examination is also highly recommended if you have previously tried self-medication or natural remedies, but your symptoms are getting worse.

This indicates that you need a different medication or combination of psoriasis treatments.

Cause

What causes guttate psoriasis?

The cause of psoriasis is not known with certainty. From studies conducted so far, it is known that psoriasis is a non-contagious skin disease related to autoimmune conditions. This disruption in the immune system causes the very rapid regeneration of new skin cells.

Under normal conditions the body will replace dead skin cells by producing new skin cells within a few weeks.

Meanwhile, in the case of guttate psoriasis, the growth of new skin cells only occurs in a matter of days. This condition causes a buildup of skin cells so that the skin surface becomes thick.

The rapid cell production also causes inflammation or swelling of the epidermal skin layer.

Apart from autoimmune conditions, researchers also suspect that psoriasis is a skin disease that runs in families. Of the 10% of people born to a family with a history of psoriasis, 3% of them have guttate psoriasis.

Risk factors

What increases my risk for guttata psoriasis?

Apart from being related to autoimmune and genetic conditions, guttate psoriasis is also influenced by risk factors that come from health and environmental conditions.

Often, guttate psoriasis occurs after a person has a Streptococcus bacterial infection in the throat (strep throat) or an upper respiratory tract viral infection. Several diseases such as tonsillitis and chickenpox can also lead to this condition.

While other risk factors that can trigger psoriasis gutata also include stress, skin wounds such as cuts or insect bites, and the use of certain drugs, for example anti-malarial drugs or beta blockers.

Diagnosis

How do doctors diagnose guttata psoriasis?

To diagnose this disease, the doctor will perform a physical examination to identify symptoms. The doctor will ask you about the symptoms you feel. Next, the doctor also looks at the condition of your skin, seeing what the patches or lesions look like and where they are.

In addition, the doctor also investigates a number of things that may be a factor in the occurrence of your symptoms, for example, if there is consumption of certain drugs. The doctor will also ask you and your family's medical history, this is to find out whether the condition you are experiencing is an inherited disease.

If your doctor needs additional information to evaluate the initial diagnosis, it is very common for you to be asked to perform some other screening procedure, such as a skin biopsy or blood sample.

Treatment

What are my treatment options for guttate psoriasis?

Usually, guttate psoriasis will last for several weeks and can disappear on its own without special treatment. However, if the symptoms do not subside and they get worse, you need to get medical treatment immediately.

The actual treatment for psoriasis varies, from the use of topical drugs such as steroids, coal tar, and calcipotriol, or therapy. If guttate psoriasis appears as a result of a disease caused by a streptococcal infection, the doctor will give antibiotics.

Guttata psoriasis treatment itself rarely requires drinking drugs. However, this depends on the severity of your disease. In some cases, doctors may advise patients to undergo combination treatment to speed up the healing process.

For most cases of guttate psoriasis, the National Psoriasis Foundation explains that a combination of treatment through phototherapy or light therapy using UVB rays and oral medications is the main effective treatment for this psoriasis.

If your symptoms do not improve after a few weeks of therapy sessions, your doctor will refer you to biologic therapy through an injection of a drug that focuses on the part of the immune system that accelerates the regeneration of new skin cells.

As noted in the Sampson Regional Medical Center review, to date 40 percent of targeted biologic treatments have succeeded in preventing guttate psoriasis from progressing to psoriasis vulgaris.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies for treating guttate psoriasis?

Apart from following the medical treatment recommended by the doctor, there are some simple treatments that can be done to help the recovery process of guttate psoriasis, namely as follows.

• Stop the consumption of drugs that can trigger guttate psoriasis according to the conditions recommended by the doctor.
• Reduce stress by engaging in relaxation activities such as meditation and yoga.
• Get treatment immediately when you experience a disease caused by bacterial and fungal infections.
• Apply a non-perfumed non-cosmetic moisturizer to the affected skin regularly, after every shower.
• Do not wear clothes made from harsh materials that trigger skin irritation.

If you are still unsure about the product to use or the food that should be consumed, it is better to consult a dermatologist first.