Guttate Psoriasis

Understanding the type of psoriasis that appears as lots of small spots, often quite suddenly

If lots of small spots have appeared on your skin, or on your child's, and someone has said the word "guttate", you may have a lot of questions. It can feel sudden and unsettling. You are not alone, and for many people it is a short chapter rather than a lifelong one.

This page explains what guttate psoriasis is, what it can look like, what is known about why it happens and how the NHS approaches it across the UK. If you would like the wider picture first, start with What is Psoriatic Disease.

We are not medically trained. Psoriatic Disease UK is a patient-led charity. We share clear information to help you feel more confident talking to your GP or specialist. We cannot diagnose you or give medical advice.

What is guttate psoriasis?

Guttate psoriasis is a type of psoriasis. The word "guttate" comes from the Latin for "drop", because the spots can look like small drops scattered over the skin. Some people call it "raindrop" or "teardrop" psoriasis.

It is different from the more familiar plaque psoriasis, which usually causes larger, thicker patches. You can read about plaque, scalp and nail psoriasis in Symptoms of Psoriasis. Guttate psoriasis tends to appear as many small spots at once, often across the chest, back, tummy, arms and legs. It can also appear on the scalp.

Like other types of psoriasis, it is not contagious. You cannot catch it or pass it on, and it is not caused by anything you did.

What does it look like and feel like?

Guttate psoriasis usually causes lots of small, drop-shaped spots. NHS Inform describes them as red, dry and covered in silvery scales, and they can sometimes be itchy or sore.

Colour varies with skin tone. On lighter skin the spots often look pink or red. On brown and black skin they can look grey, purple or darker brown, and can leave darker marks on the skin once they fade. This can make guttate psoriasis harder to recognise, so if something does not look right to you, it is fine to ask for it to be looked at.

Some people have a lot of spots. Others have only a few. Either way, the itch, the soreness and the way it looks can affect how you feel, and that matters too.

Who gets it?

Guttate psoriasis can start at any age. It is more common in children, teenagers and younger adults.

What is known about causes and triggers?

Psoriasis in general is thought to be linked to the immune system, and it can run in families. Why guttate psoriasis appears in a particular person at a particular time is not fully understood.

What UK health services do say is that guttate psoriasis sometimes follows an infection, most often a throat infection caused by streptococcal bacteria (often called strep). NHS Inform and nidirect both mention this, and NHS.UK lists infections such as strep A among psoriasis triggers. Not everyone who has a throat infection gets guttate psoriasis, and not everyone with guttate psoriasis can remember being ill beforehand.

Other triggers named for psoriasis in general include stress, skin injuries and some medicines. These vary from person to person. If you have noticed a pattern in your own life, it can be worth mentioning to your GP.

Will it go away?

For many people, guttate psoriasis clears up on its own or with treatment after several weeks to a few months. NHS Inform and nidirect both describe it in this way.

It does not follow the same path for everyone. Some people have it once and never again. Some have flares from time to time. Some go on to develop another type of psoriasis, most often plaque psoriasis. We could not find a reliable figure for how many people this happens to, so we will not guess. If your skin changes, or the spots do not clear, speak to your GP.

How is it diagnosed?

Your GP can often diagnose psoriasis by looking at your skin and asking about your recent health. Sometimes a throat swab or other test is used to look for infection, or a small skin sample (biopsy) is taken if the cause is unclear. A GP may refer you to a dermatologist (a skin specialist) if they are unsure, or if it is severe or widespread. Our page on Getting a Diagnosis of Psoriatic Disease explains more about what to expect.

For children and young people, NICE guidance for England says they should be referred to a specialist when psoriasis is first diagnosed. Whether this happens in the same way in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is something we have not been able to confirm, so please ask your GP about the route in your area.

What treatment might the NHS offer?

We cannot say what is right for you. A GP, dermatologist or pharmacist can do that. In general terms, the NHS describes these types of care for psoriasis, and the right mix depends on the type, how widespread it is and where it is. You can read more in Treatment for Psoriatic Disease.

Emollients. Moisturising creams, ointments and washes. They are often one of the first things suggested.
Creams and ointments for the skin. For example steroid creams and vitamin D creams, and sometimes tar-based treatments.
Light therapy (phototherapy). Controlled ultraviolet light given in a hospital or specialist clinic. NICE guidance for England says narrowband UVB light therapy should be offered to people with guttate psoriasis that cannot be controlled with creams and ointments alone, and that a GP should refer to dermatology when light therapy is needed.
Stronger medicines from a specialist. These are used in more severe or lasting psoriasis and need regular monitoring.

If a throat infection is thought to be involved, your GP will decide whether it needs treating. Whether treating the infection changes the course of guttate psoriasis is not clear.

Many people with mild guttate psoriasis are looked after by their GP. If your spots are widespread or the skin is very uncomfortable, say so.

Some people find that keeping skin moisturised and avoiding scratching helps them feel more comfortable. This is lived experience rather than medical advice, and everyone is different.

How guidance differs across the UK

England: NICE guideline CG153 covers the assessment and management of psoriasis, including guttate psoriasis. NHS 111 and NHS.UK are the main routes for non-emergency advice.
Scotland: Scottish guidance comes from SIGN rather than NICE. We have not been able to confirm what it says about guttate psoriasis specifically. NHS Inform, run by NHS 24, has an overview of psoriasis types.
Wales: NHS 111 Wales has health information, including on psoriasis. NICE says that in Wales, Welsh commissioning positions apply. Whether CG153 is followed in every Welsh health board is unconfirmed.
Northern Ireland: nidirect has a psoriasis page that describes guttate psoriasis. NICE says that in Northern Ireland, Northern Irish commissioning positions apply. Whether CG153 is followed in every Health and Social Care Trust is unconfirmed.

What is the same regardless of what part of the UK you are in: your GP is the first place to go, you can be referred to a dermatologist, and psoriasis is not contagious.

When to speak to your GP or specialist

Contact your GP if:

you or your child have lots of small spots that you think could be guttate psoriasis
you have psoriasis and your treatment is not working or is causing side effects
the spots are not improving after several weeks, or they keep coming back
you have joint pain, stiffness or swelling that keeps coming back, because some people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis (see Symptoms of Psoriatic Arthritis)
the way your skin looks or feels is affecting your mood, sleep, school or work

If you are not sure, call your GP surgery and describe what you are noticing. You can also ask a pharmacist for advice about managing symptoms.

When to get urgent help

Call 999 or go to A&E if you have psoriasis and:

your skin quickly turns red and you develop white, pus-filled bumps that join together (redness can be harder to see on brown and black skin)
patches on your feet turn yellow-brown and fill with pus
your fingers or toes have red, scaly, pus-filled bumps on the tips

You may also have a fast heartbeat, a high temperature, or feel hot, cold or shivery. These can be signs of a more serious condition or an infection. This guidance is taken from NHS.UK.

If you feel very unwell, or a child with a rash has a high temperature and seems very unwell, seek urgent medical advice straight away through 999, A&E or your local urgent care service.

Looking after your wellbeing

Psoriasis can affect how you feel about yourself, especially when it is visible. It is common to feel anxious, self-conscious or low. This is not a weakness, and it is worth telling your GP. Our page on Living Well with Psoriatic Disease has more ideas.

If you are struggling, you can talk to your GP about mental health support. The Samaritans offer a listening ear at any time on 116 123. Many people also find it helps to talk to others who understand.

Support from our community

You are welcome in our peer support spaces, where people share their experiences of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Find out how to join on our Get Support page:

the PSOcial Space on Discord
our Facebook peer support group, where anonymous posting is available

Key points

Guttate psoriasis causes many small, drop-shaped spots, often appearing quite suddenly.
It is more common in children, teenagers and younger adults, but can start at any age.
It sometimes follows an infection such as a streptococcal throat infection.
It is not contagious.
For many people it clears within weeks to months. Some people have flares or go on to develop another type of psoriasis.
Your GP is the first step, and care across the UK is broadly similar though guidance and services differ by nation.

Helpful links

More from Psoriatic Disease UK

What is Psoriatic Disease: an introduction to psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis
Symptoms of Psoriasis: common signs, and rarer types of psoriasis
Getting a Diagnosis of Psoriatic Disease: what to expect from your GP and specialist
Treatment for Psoriatic Disease: the kinds of treatment the NHS may offer
Symptoms of Psoriatic Arthritis: joint symptoms to watch for
Living Well with Psoriatic Disease: everyday life, energy and wellbeing
Get Support: our PSOcial Space on Discord and Facebook peer support group

Trusted health information by nation

NHS.UK: Psoriasis (England): symptoms, treatment and when to get urgent help
NHS Inform: Psoriasis (Scotland): includes a section on guttate psoriasis
NHS 111 Wales: Psoriasis: health information and advice
nidirect: Psoriasis (Northern Ireland): includes a description of guttate psoriasis
NICE guideline CG153: Psoriasis: the clinical guideline for England on assessing and managing psoriasis

Emotional support

Samaritans: a listening ear at any time, on 116 123

Last reviewed: 14 October 2026. Next review due: 14 October 2027.

This page is for general information only and is not medical advice. Psoriatic Disease UK is a patient-led organisation and we are not medically trained. Always speak to a qualified healthcare professional about your own health.