Guttate psoriasis is a variant of psoriasis that is characterized by an acute, generalized eruption of small, discrete, raindrop-like (hence the name, guttate) papules with fine scale. It most commonly occurs in the 2-3 weeks following an upper respiratory infection and is associated with an elevated anti-streptolysin O, anti-DNase B, or streptozyme titer. Guttate psoriasis can be pruritic, and postinflammatory pigmentary changes can follow. However, scarring and systemic symptoms such as fever, malaise, lymphadenopathy, myalgias, and arthralgias are typically not present.

While guttate psoriasis may occur in any age group, it is most common in children and young adults under the age of 30. The prognosis in children is typically better than in adults, with many children spontaneously clearing within several weeks to months. Nevertheless, some patients will go on to develop chronic psoriatic disease several years later.