Guttate psoriasis

Guttate psoriasis

Guttate psoriasis

Guttate psoriasis (also known as eruptive 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.<ref name="Fitz22">Freedberg, et al. (2003). Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. (6th ed.). McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-07-138076-0.</ref> <ref name="Andrews2">James, William; Berger, Timothy; Elston, Dirk (2005). Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. (10th ed.). Saunders. ISBN 0-7216-2921-0.</ref>

The term "guttate" is used to describe the drop-like appearance of skin lesions. Guttate psoriasis is classically triggered by a bacterial infection, usually an upper respiratory tract infection.<ref>,

 Treatment of Psoriasis: An Algorithm-Based Approach for Primary Care Physicians, 
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 pp. 725–33,736,
 
 
 
 
 Full text,</ref> 

Signs and symptoms

Typically, guttate psoriasis erupts after a throat infection, or strep throat.<ref>Prinz, J. C.,

 Psoriasis vulgaris--a sterile antibacterial skin reaction mediated by cross-reactive T cells? An immunological view of the pathophysiology of psoriasis, 
 Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 
 
 Vol. 26(Issue: 4),
 pp. 326–332,
 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2230.2001.00831.x,
 PMID: 11422184,</ref> Initially, when 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 scratched or picked, the top layer of dry skin is removed, leaving 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 center which is slightly yellow.

Guttate psoriasis can occur on any part of the body, particularly the legs, arms, torso, eyelids, back, bottom, bikini-line and neck. The number of lesions can range from 5 to over 100.<ref name=":0">Langley, R. G. B.,

 Psoriasis: epidemiology, clinical features, and quality of life, 
 Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 
 
 Vol. 64(Issue: suppl 2),
 pp. ii18–ii23,
 DOI: 10.1136/ard.2004.033217,
 PMID: 15708928,
 PMC: 1766861,
 
 Full text,</ref> Generally the parts of the body most affected are seen on the arms, legs, back and torso.

Causes

Genetic and environmental factors can influence the predilection for guttate psoriasis. Human leukocyte antigens, especially those in the HLA-C group are associated with the skin disorder.<ref>Mallon, E.,

 HLA-C and guttate psoriasis, 
 The British Journal of Dermatology, 
 
 Vol. 143(Issue: 6),
 pp. 1177–1182,
 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2133.2000.03885.x,
 PMID: 11122018,</ref> Beta-hemolytic streptococci infection is the major contributing environmental factor. The typical route of infection is the upper respiratory system. Rarely it is also caused by a skin infection surrounding the anus (perianal streptococcal dermatitis).<ref>Patrizi, A., 
 Perianal streptococcal dermatitis associated with guttate psoriasis and/or balanoposthitis: a study of five cases, 
 Pediatric Dermatology, 
 
 Vol. 11(Issue: 2),
 pp. 168–171,
 DOI: 10.1111/j.1525-1470.1994.tb00574.x,
 PMID: 8041660,</ref><ref>Herbst, R. A., 
 Guttate psoriasis triggered by perianal streptococcal dermatitis in a four-year-old boy, 
 Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 
 
 Vol. 42(Issue: 5 Pt 2),
 pp. 885–887,
 DOI: 10.1016/s0190-9622(00)90263-9,
 PMID: 10767696,</ref>

Diagnosis

Guttate psoriasis can typically be diagnosed by clinical examination alone.<ref> Mehlis, Stephanie. Guttate psoriasis(link). Up-to-date.

2017-03-26.

</ref>

Management

The treatments used for plaque psoriasis can also be used for guttate psoriasis. Few studies have specifically focused on guttate psoriasis management, so there are currently no firm guidelines for managing guttate psoriasis differently from plaque psoriasis.<ref>Chalmers, R. J.,

 A systematic review of treatments for guttate psoriasis, 
 The British Journal of Dermatology, 
 
 Vol. 145(Issue: 6),
 pp. 891–894,
 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2133.2001.04505.x,
 PMID: 11899141,</ref><ref>Chalmers, R. J., 
 Interventions for guttate psoriasis, 
 The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 
 
 
 pp. CD001213,
 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001213,
 PMID: 10796758, 

)</ref> Due to the role streptococcal infection plays in the development of guttate psoriasis, systemic antibiotics have been considered as a potential treatment option. Although systemic antibiotics may be considered to treat the initial infection at its source, there is no support for their use in the management of subsequent guttate psoriasis itself, nor is there evidence for the use of prophylactic tonsillectomy.<ref>

)</ref> The condition often usually clears up on its own within weeks to months, and only about one third of patients will develop chronic plaques.<ref>Martin, Branwen A.,

 How Great Is the Risk of Further Psoriasis Following a Single Episode of Acute Guttate Psoriasis?, 
 Archives of Dermatology, 
 
 Vol. 132(Issue: 6),
 pp. 717–8,
 DOI: 10.1001/archderm.1996.03890300147032,
 PMID: 8651734,</ref>

Epidemiology

Guttate psoriasis accounts for approximately 2% of psoriasis cases.<ref name=":0" />

External links

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