What is guttate psoriasis?
Guttate psoriasis is a type of psoriasis, which is a chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune condition of the skin. Like other types of psoriasis, guttate psoriasis is not contagious and does not spread from person to person.
The name guttate psoriasis comes from the Latin word "gutta," which means drop. This is because typical skin lesions appear like small water drops on the skin. The lesions are generally less than 1 cm in size and look like scaly, salmon-colored bumps.
Can you stop guttate psoriasis from spreading?
Guttate psoriasis typically appears suddenly and can spread to other parts of the body. Since guttate psoriasis can be triggered by various factors, there is no definitive way to stop it from spreading.
However, you can lower the risk of triggering a guttate psoriasis flare-up with the following preventative measures.
What causes guttate psoriasis?
The exact cause of guttate psoriasis is unknown. However, studies suggest that genes and environmental factors may play a role in the development of the disease.
Guttate psoriasis tends to affect younger individuals (children and young adults) and is usually preceded by a bacterial infection, such as strep throat or perianal strep dermatitis. Viral infections, such as COVID-19, have also been associated with guttate psoriasis.
Not everyone with these infections, however, develops guttate psoriasis, suggesting a crucial role of genes in the causation.
Other triggers that can lead to a guttate psoriasis flare include:
How to stop guttate psoriasis from spreading
Tips to stop guttate psoriasis from spreading include:
- Avoid injuries to the skin, such as scratches and bug bites
- Stay indoors when the weather is cold, windy, or dry
- Avoid excessive sun exposure
- Use gentle cleansing products and avoid harsh chemicals that can irritate your skin
- Moisturize your skin well, especially after washing
- Eat a nutritious diet rich in fruits and vegetables
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Manage stress by practicing relaxation techniques
- Avoid smoking, including passive smoking
- Avoid excessive alcohol consumption
- Take medications as prescribed (topical and systemic medications and light therapy may be prescribed depending on the severity and extent of the disease; abruptly stopping medications can cause a flare-up)
- Avoid taking medications that may worsen your psoriasis symptoms, such as certain blood pressure medications, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), lithium, tetracyclines, and interferons; ask your doctor for appropriate alternatives
SLIDESHOW
Types of Psoriasis: Medical Pictures and Treatments See SlideshowCristol H. Psoriasis: How to Stop the Spread. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/psoriasis/stop-psoriasis-spread
Medline Plus. Guttate psoriasis. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000822.htm
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