DEAR DR. GOTT: My 10-year-old grandson has had guttate psoriasis for more than a year. His dermatologist said it was caused by strep throat. Although the strep throat is no longer a problem, the psoriasis definitely is. Last summer, it faded with exposure to sunlight. Until February, it wasn’t too bad, but for the past several months it has been terrible. The red spots are literally all over him, even on the bottoms of his feet. He is using a steroid cream, which seems to have little or no effect, and takes Concerta for ADHD.

Can you offer any suggestions? Can diet, clothing, detergents, stress and/or animals affect this problem?

DEAR READER: Guttate psoriasis is a noncontagious, uncommon form of psoriasis that presents with small, red spots that resemble teardrops appearing on the arms, legs, trunk and other skin surfaces. [Read more...]