Guttate Psoriasis – Causes and Treatment
Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes patches and inflammation on the skin. There are different types of psoriasis of which Guttate psoriasis is a typical form.
Characterized by typical small ink drops on your skin, Guttate psoriasis appears in the form of drop-like lesion. It is caused by the streptococcal bacteria, an infection typically, that has other symptoms too. Usually the symptoms begin with a strep throat, after which within 2 to 3 weeks the outbreaks are visible. It is possible that the outbreaks would go away forever and might never return. But chances are that it might return and never fade again.
Guttate psoriasis is a relatively uncommon type of psoriasis. It is often seen in children and young adults below 30 years of age. Both the sexes are affected by the condition.
Often known as teardrop or raindrop psoriasis, this condition can affect any part of the body. However, there are certain exceptions, such as the soles of feet and the palms. The symptoms of Guttate psoriasis includes, discoloration, nail cowing, irregular pitting on the surface and small blister-like patches. Having any of these symptoms is an alarm.
Usually, this type of psoriasis is caused due to bacterial infection, typically caused by Streptococcus bacteria. It is believed that this particular bacteria triggers all the changes that occur in the immune system and provokes psoriasis.
Guttate psoriasis can be treated with various options. Topical agents that include coal tar, steroids, derivatives of vitamin D and other vitamins are the best ingredients for a topical agent, for Guttate psoriasis. It is possible that your doctor will recommend medicated topical agents at the very first stage.
There are other choices that include medicines too. Medicines and prescribed antibiotics are given for treating throat infection. However, antibiotics might not help in getting rid of Guttate psoriasis, but it will definitely help in preventing the same.
Light therapy is a very good option for treating different types of psoriasis. Ultraviolet B light therapy, Psolaren and Ultraviolet A treatment and Phototherapy in general are the best means of curing psoriasis. Light therapy is known to be extremely effective for treating Guttate psoriasis, as the condition is scattered all over the body in the form of tiny spots. It can be difficult to treat the same with ointments and creams.
Besides all these methods of treatment, Guttate psoriasis also requires certain self-help measures that prevents the disease. Using certain emollients and moisturizers are the best ways to control the condition. They help in keeping the skin moist and also prevents scaling and irritation. You must have a balanced diet and you also need to avoid smoking and alcohol consumption to control Guttate psoriasis and prevent the same.
Thanks for this article. I appreciate you.
the redness and itchiness of Psoriasis can be relieved easily by corticosteroids.*,`
my friend is a Psoriasis sufferer for several years and there seems to be no permanent cure for it. .~
Dear Sir:
Am dr. sahban wael, am researcher in psoriasis disease ,am graduated from medical college (Baghdad University) in 2009/ 2010.
Am starting to do researches in psoriasis disease before 8 years.
Am very interesting in psoriasis and am consider psoriasis as a devil and am ready to make an end to this devil by researches.
Unfortunately, until now after this revolution in the technology and in medicine but psoriasis remain considered incurable disease so I want to work with your company or organization to make this incurable disease to curable or to make it treatable with simple drugs by the researches.
Am ready to work and start researches with your company to put an end to this bad tragedy story of human with psoriasis disease.
Dr .sahban wael
e-mail: sahbanwael_2004@yahoo.com
hi, im leng, and i have psoriasis since i was 15. i’ve tried UV therapy, anti-cancer pills, and steroids- as my doctors prescribed- my condition improved, for a while. but keeps on recurring after each treatment, and in much worse conditions.
i kept on changing doctors and was really tired.
but when i was 25, my doctor explained to me that i have to observe the things that triggers my psoriasis outbreak. i noticed the following factors:
(1) when i stay too long in front of a computer- makes my skin itch
(2) too much perfume/ cologne
(3) talcum/ baby powder plus sweat
(4) if i don’t drink at least 8 glasses of water, my psoriasis easily turns really red
(5) when i stay up late
(6) when i eat really spicy food such as kimchi
(7) anything that contributes to mental and emotional stress
i just try to stay out of these things. plus, i’ve learned to lessen too much medication.. here’s my maintenance:
(1) mix 250mL fragrance and lanolin-free lotion with 10g betamethasone (preferably cream)- i use this as a regular lotion for my entire body, 2x a day after shower if i have an outbreak. my skin improves after 2 days. THIS SAVES TIME, RATHER THAN PUTTING OINTMENT ON EACH SPOT… arrrrrgh!!!!
put it on like a regular body lotion!
if i don’t have outbreaks, i use the regular lotion (right after bath)
(2) when a my skin is itchy, i immediately put on the mixture over the spot that’s itchy.
(3) i also put a small amount of elica cream in my facial moisturizer
(4) i use coal tar shampoo and soap when i have an outbreak. otherwise, i use moisturizing soaps- fragrance free. and any type of shampoo (i always mix mine with water)
(5) luke warm water works- not too hot, not too cold.
(6) my psoriasis seems to easily exfoliate when i use my mixed lotion. so i use a very soft cloth to help me take out the scales during bath (this is after i shower with water alone for 3-5 mins) i exfoliate every 3x a week.
this routine seems to work for me, and i’ve been using it for 5yrs. im now 30, i have two or three psoriasis spots every now and then, but they are quite manageable.
Hope i was able to help