Guttate psoriasis is a skin condition that is usually triggered by a streptococcal infection.  It is also known as “eruptive” psoriasis and is characterized by an eruption of lesions on the skin.  This generally happens two or three weeks after a person has strep throat.  Unlike other forms of psoriasis, guttate psoriasis may go away and never return.

But guttate psoriasis may also go away and come back.  This is more likely to happen if the person is a strep carrier, which means that they always carry the streptococcal bacteria in their system.

Guttate psoriasis is more common in children.  It looks like small, salmon-pink drops on the skin.  The name guttate is derived from a Latin word, “gutta”, which means drop.

Frequently, there is a scale covering the droplike lesion.  But this scale is much finer than those scales that are common in plaque psoriasis, the most common form of psoriasis.  Guttate psoriasis is much less common than plaque psoriasis.

Outbreaks can be sudden and can be a persons first episode of any type of psoriasis.  It can also happen to persons who have had plaque psoriasis for a long time.  This type of psoriasis is chronic and can also be triggered by many different infections as well as stress.  Even a cold or a mild case of chicken pox can trigger psoriasis.

If guttate psoriasis is suspected, the lesions can be examined by a doctor and he can make a diagnosis by examining the skin.  Affected areas can be the palms, the scalp and even the ears.  The presence of the stretpococcal bacteria will make the condition worse as antibodies increase to fight the infection.

Though children are more likely to get guttate psoriasis, people of any age and any sex can be afflicted by it.  The disease is not fatal, but can cause a lot of pain and suffering to those who have it.

It is best to consult a dermatologist as soon as possible if you have signs and symptoms of guttate psoriasis.