About Guttate Psoriasis - The Least Common Form of Psoriasis
What Causes Psoriasis? Guttate psoriasis is the least common form of this dermatological problem, and is often found in patients under the age of 30.
The strange thing about guttate psoriasis is that it may become quickly apparent after an infection - strep throat or an upper respiratory infection are two of the most common causes.
Researchers think that psoriasis is inherited, that is, if your parents or grandparents had it, then you could have it too.
It is caused by a quirk of the body's immune system, whereby it gets confused and treats some healthy cells as intruders.
There are other reasons for suddenly developing guttate psoriasis and these are just a few, note that many of these involve viruses and infections.
What are the Treatments for Psoriasis? As there is no known complete cure for this condition, the object of treatment is to allay and control symptoms and prevent any further secondary infection.
Antibiotics are used to treat these secondary infections.
Below are the most common remedies:
Phototherapy This is a medical procedure where the patient is given medication that makes the skin sensitive to light and then the affected area is exposed to UV rays.
Hence, exposure to the sun for short periods of time can also help the problem to disappear, but it is essential not to get burned.
Always check on your weather forecast station how long you can stay out until you burn, and take some time off that period for safety's sake.
Guttate psoriasis is quite unusual but will more than likely clear up after the appropriate treatments.
In a few cases, it will get worse and possibly develop into plaque psoriasis.
If the area affected becomes painful or changes in any way or starts to become unusually itchy, then you will probably have to see a dermatologist.
Psoriasis Symptoms These can include itching and red spots on the skin, lesions which are splits in the skin that leaves the underlying dermis exposed that eventually get covered over with scaly, silver/grey flaky plaques, or scales.
These patches tend to be on the trunk, limbs, and scalp, but are known to appear anywhere on the body.
Diagnosis of psoriasis is usually conducted by looking at the skin, and the kind of symptoms.
You will also be asked if you have recently had a streptococcal infection, include upper respiratory infection or in the throat, and a throat swab may be taken.
A skin biopsy may be taken.
The strange thing about guttate psoriasis is that it may become quickly apparent after an infection - strep throat or an upper respiratory infection are two of the most common causes.
Researchers think that psoriasis is inherited, that is, if your parents or grandparents had it, then you could have it too.
It is caused by a quirk of the body's immune system, whereby it gets confused and treats some healthy cells as intruders.
There are other reasons for suddenly developing guttate psoriasis and these are just a few, note that many of these involve viruses and infections.
- upper respiratory infections
- skin injuries - a cut, burn or bite
- certain medicines, including quinine and medications for heart problems
- too much stress
- severe sunburn
- alcohol abuse
What are the Treatments for Psoriasis? As there is no known complete cure for this condition, the object of treatment is to allay and control symptoms and prevent any further secondary infection.
Antibiotics are used to treat these secondary infections.
Below are the most common remedies:
- Cortisone and or lotions containing coal tar
- Prescription dandruff shampoos for scalp psoriasis
- Special moisturizers
- Retinoid medicines that contain vitamins A and/or
Phototherapy This is a medical procedure where the patient is given medication that makes the skin sensitive to light and then the affected area is exposed to UV rays.
Hence, exposure to the sun for short periods of time can also help the problem to disappear, but it is essential not to get burned.
Always check on your weather forecast station how long you can stay out until you burn, and take some time off that period for safety's sake.
Guttate psoriasis is quite unusual but will more than likely clear up after the appropriate treatments.
In a few cases, it will get worse and possibly develop into plaque psoriasis.
If the area affected becomes painful or changes in any way or starts to become unusually itchy, then you will probably have to see a dermatologist.
Psoriasis Symptoms These can include itching and red spots on the skin, lesions which are splits in the skin that leaves the underlying dermis exposed that eventually get covered over with scaly, silver/grey flaky plaques, or scales.
These patches tend to be on the trunk, limbs, and scalp, but are known to appear anywhere on the body.
Diagnosis of psoriasis is usually conducted by looking at the skin, and the kind of symptoms.
You will also be asked if you have recently had a streptococcal infection, include upper respiratory infection or in the throat, and a throat swab may be taken.
A skin biopsy may be taken.
Source...