Symptoms
Variants of psoriasis include guttate and pustular types. Guttate, from the Latin for “spots that resemble drops”, is a rare variant (<2 percent of all psoriasis) that often follows a bout of streptococcal pharyngitis (“Strep throat”). The psoriasis appears as small, <1 cm scattered drop- like lesions. Pustular psoriasis can be limited to the palms and soles only (“palmoplantar pustulosis”) or can occur as a potentially life- threatening acute illness accompanied by fever and generalized weakness (von Zumbusch syndrome). Also, a condition called psoriatic arthritis occurs in five percent of patients and can cause joint pain especially in the hands and feet, or the hips and back.

Last updated: 02-Apr-02