What is guttate psoriasis?
Guttate ps oriasis or eruptive psoriasis is a dermatosis that usually presents in adolescence, up to 15-16 years of age (but there is nothing to prevent it from presenting later).
Its name comes from Latin: the word gutta in Latin means drop, in fact the disease presents itself in its early stage in the form of small specks or droplets no more than 2 cm in diameter that are pink in color.
It is a reaction to astreptococcal infection however, unlike other infections caused by the same bacterium, it is not contagious (this does not detract from the fact that it is very annoying and causes discomfort cosmetically) but sometimes it can be hereditary.
How does guttate psoriasis manifest itself?
As we mentioned earlier, this type of psoriasis is named for the initial onset of pink or red spots 2 cm in diameter on theabdomen, chest, elbows, back, and scalp (very rarely on the face).
These small spots cause itching and redden very quickly, until they enlarge and occupy areas far larger than those previously noted, making the skin scaly and cracked.
The discomfort caused in those who contract guttate psoriasis is very strong given the young age at which the individual is usually affected, affecting self-acceptance and social life.
Causes of guttate psoriasis
The main cause of this psoriasis has not yet been established, but there are several probable triggers:
- traumatic events
- situations of stress or concern
- immune system deficiency
- previous streptococcal infections
In addition, guttate psoriasis, with its course and symptoms, contributes to magnified worries and increased stress, creating a vicious cycle from which it is very difficult to escape.
Unfortunately, the disease has an unpredictable course: there are periods when it seems dormant and does not cause any discomfort or rash in the patient, and others when it becomes severely exacerbated with accentuation of itching, enlargement of spots, and consequent increased stress and anxiety.
How to treat guttate psoriasis
There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for guttate psoriasis: the advice of an expert, a dermatologist, is always needed to ascertain first of all the diagnosis but also the best treatments to be applied to defeat it.
One should first of all be very careful about nutrition and avoid:
- animal fats
- refined sugars
- industrial foods
- sweets
balancing the best:
- carbohydrates
- protein
- legumes and cereals
- lactose and gluten
Controlled feeding is only one of the small steps of medical prophylaxis to be followed to eradicate guttate psoriasis.
Phototherapy sessions with low-frequency UVB lamps or simple exposure to sunlight(carefully avoiding sunburn) will be necessary: UVB or natural rays will contribute to a visible regression of the disease, the shrinking of spots, and the disappearance of itching, giving relief and well-being to the patient.
These treatments are by no means do-it-yourself; it is important to have a dermatologist to guide you through the treatment period you will undergo, with the right pharmaceuticals and appropriate courses of phototherapy.
If you have been affected by guttate psoriasis and want to remedy this troublesome dermatosis, do not hesitate to contact us and book a dermatology consultation at our office at 212 Via Cola di Rienzo (Prati area), Rome.
