Guttate psoriasis

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Guttate psoriasis[edit | edit source]

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.[1]: 410  [2]: 194 

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.[3]: 726 

Signs and symptoms[edit | edit source]

Typically, guttate psoriasis erupts after a throat infection, or strep throat.[4] 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.[5] Generally the parts of the body most affected are seen on the arms, legs, back and torso.

Causes[edit | edit source]

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.[6] 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).[7][8]

Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

Guttate psoriasis can typically be diagnosed by clinical examination alone.[9]

Management[edit | edit source]

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.[10][11] 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.[12] The condition often usually clears up on its own within weeks to months, and only about one third of patients will develop chronic plaques.[13]

Epidemiology[edit | edit source]

Guttate psoriasis accounts for approximately 2% of psoriasis cases.[5]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Freedberg, et al. (2003). Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. (6th ed.). McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-07-138076-0 .
  2. ↑ James, William; Berger, Timothy; Elston, Dirk (2005). Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. (10th ed.). Saunders. ISBN 0-7216-2921-0 .
  3. ↑ , Treatment of Psoriasis: An Algorithm-Based Approach for Primary Care Physicians, Am Fam Physician, 2000, Vol. 61 pp. 725–33,736, Full text,
  4. ↑ 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,
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 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,
  6. ↑ 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,
  7. ↑ 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,
  8. ↑ 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,
  9. ↑ Guttate psoriasis Full text, Mehlis, Stephanie, Up-to-date, 2017-03-26,
  10. ↑ 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,
  11. ↑ Chalmers, R. J., Interventions for guttate psoriasis, The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (Issue: 2), pp. CD001213, DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001213, PMID: 10796758, (Retracted, see doi:10.1002/14651858.cd001213.pub2 . If this is an intentional citation to a retracted paper, please replace {{Retracted}} with {{Retracted|intentionalyes}}.)
  12. ↑ (Retracted, see doi:10.1002/14651858.cd001976.pub2 . If this is an intentional citation to a retracted paper, please replace {{Retracted}} with {{Retracted|intentionalyes}}.)
  13. ↑ 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,

External links[edit | edit source]

Classification
  • ICD-10: L40.4 (ILDS L40.400)
  • DiseasesDB: 34089
External resources


Guttate psoriasis Resources
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