Causes, Symptoms, Treatments, and Complications

What Causes Guttate Psoriasis?

Very often, guttate psoriasis comes on suddenly. Strep throat is a common trigger, says Sugarman.

Environmental factors seem to play a more important role in guttate psoriasis than in other types of psoriasis, he adds.

According to the University of Florida Health (UFHealth) and the NPF, guttate psoriasis can also be triggered by:

• An upper respiratory infection — bacterial or viral
• Tonsillitis
• Stress
• An injury to the skin such as an insect bite, burn, or cut
• Medications, such as beta-blockers, which are used to treat heart conditions, and drugs that treat malaria
• Excessive alcohol consumption

These triggers can cause guttate psoriasis in people who may have a family history or other risk factors for the disease.

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People with weakened immune systems may be susceptible to severe guttate psoriasis, UFHealth says. This includes individuals with:

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How Is Guttate Psoriasis Diagnosed?

Dermatologists diagnose guttate psoriasis much as they do plaque psoriasis: mostly from the distinctive appearance of the rash, says Sugarman.

As part of the diagnosis, your doctor will ask whether you’ve had strep throat or another infection, and may do a skin biopsy and a throat culture to confirm the diagnosis, per UFHealth. Your doctor may also ask whether you’ve been taking any new medications or supplements.

Most people get guttate psoriasis as children or young adults, according to the NPF. In older adults, it can often be a precursor to plaque psoriasis, and it often runs in families.

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How Is Guttate Psoriasis Treated?

Guttate psoriasis may go away on its own in a few weeks or months. If it doesn’t, it can be treated with topical medications, says UFHealth, though applying creams and ointments to the hundreds of tiny drops on your skin can be tedious. Dandruff shampoos and moisturizers may help, too, UFHealth says.

Phototherapy is often an effective treatment for guttate psoriasis. But phototherapy can make your skin sensitive to light, UFHealth notes.

If you have a severe case, your doctor might prescribe oral or injectable medications to dampen your inflammatory response. This may include a biologic or combination of treatments. An antistreptococcal treatment like penicillin or amoxicillin is sometimes used to treat the acute form of guttate psoriasis, especially in children and young adults. But one review of research found no evidence that it works or is safe, and the authors concluded that more trials are needed to assess this guttate psoriasis treatment.

Can There Be Complications From Guttate Psoriasis?

As with any type of psoriasis, guttate psoriasis may lead to complications.

“Some people can have one episode of guttate psoriasis when they are 12 years old and never have it again,” Sugarman says. “Others wind up with chronic psoriasis and some lipid abnormalities: high blood cholesterol and triglycerides.”

Guttate psoriasis can cause severe itching and, less frequently, serious skin infections, Sugarman says.

Work closely with your doctor to find the best treatment and make this condition easier to manage.