UNDERSTANDING GENERALIZED PUSTULAR PSORIASIS (GPP)
ABOUT GPP
WHAT IS GPP?
GPP is a rare, lifelong disease. Flares appear suddenly in the form of painful, pus-filled blisters (pustules) that may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever, joint pain, and extreme tiredness.
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with GPP, it’s important to know what it is, what to look for, and what to expect.
Although GPP can have a widespread impact on your daily activities, there are treatments that may help you manage the condition and feel better. It’s also important to know that GPP is not contagious. You can’t catch it from someone else or pass it on. It’s not known exactly what causes GPP. Some people are more prone to getting it, but it can also be triggered by something in your life, such as stress, certain medications, or pregnancy.
GPP FLARES MAY BE LIFE-THREATENING IF LEFT UNTREATED
A GPP flare may start with the skin turning red and feeling tender, followed by the formation of pustules. These flares are unpredictable—it’s never your fault when you have one.
GPP flares may be accompanied by a number of symptoms that include:
PUSTULES ANYWHERE ON THE SKIN THAT MAY COMBINE TO FORM “LAKES” OF PUS
WIDESPREAD REDNESS
SIGNIFICANT ITCHING
SKIN PAIN IN THE FORM OF TENDERNESS,
SORENESS, OR A BURNING SENSATION
FEVER
EXTREME TIREDNESS
CHILLS
JOINT PAIN
MUSCLE WEAKNESS
GPP flares may lead to complications that may become life-threatening, such as serious infections or other organ damage. During a GPP flare, the skin is no longer able to protect against infections or serve its other functions to keep the body healthy. This could lead to serious infections, heart, and/or kidney problems. Although these problems may not happen to everyone who has GPP flares, it is very important to seek medical care right away if you suspect a flare.
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YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN DEALING WITH GPP
View stories of people with GPP to learn how others are living with the disease.
RESOURCES TO STAY INFORMED
What is GPP?
GPP SYMPTOM TRACKER
GPP: THE FACTS
WHAT MAKES GPP DIFFERENT
GENERALIZED PUSTULAR PSORIASIS (GPP) IS DIFFERENT FROM PLAQUE PSORIASIS — INSIDE AND OUT
GPP can be confused with Plaque Psoriasis, but they are 2 different diseases.
Both GPP and Plaque Psoriasis can show up as large areas of red, itchy, extremely dry, scaly, and cracked skin, but they are caused by different processes in the body. This is why treatments that work for Plaque Psoriasis may not work the same way for GPP. Additionally, different genetic factors may play a role in each condition.
APPROXIMATELY 1.76 PER MILLION PEOPLE IN FRANCE AND 460 PER 1 MILLION IN GERMANY HAVE GPP; IN THE US AND JAPAN, THE ESTIMATED PREVALENCE OF GPP IS 100 PER 1 MILLION AND AROUND 7.46 PER 1 MILLION, RESPECTIVELY
GPP MAY START IN PEOPLE IN THEIR 40s BUT CAN OCCUR AT A YOUNGER AGE, ALTHOUGH IT’S UNCOMMON
MORE WOMEN THAN MEN HAVE GPP
BECAUSE GPP IS SO RARE, IT'S HARD TO RECOGNISE — EVEN FOR DOCTORS.
PLAQUE PSORIASIS vs GPP
PLAQUE PSORIASIS:
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A common, chronic skin disease that affects 2-3% of the world’s population
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The most common form of psoriasis, affecting nearly 8 out of 10 people with psoriasis
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Psoriasis plaques are raised, inflamed, and scaly patches of skin that may be itchy and painful
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Usually appears in people ages 16-22 years but can also appear in those at the ages of 57-60 years
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Occurs equally in men and women
GPP:
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A rare, lifelong disease
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GPP appears as pustules anywhere on the skin that may combine to form “lakes” of pus
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May be accompanied by other general symptoms like fever, chills, joint pain, and extreme tiredness
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It may start in people in their 40s but can occur at a younger age, although it’s uncommon
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Occurs in more women than men
COPING WITH YOUR GPP
DIAGNOSING A RARE DISEASE LIKE GPP CAN TAKE TIME
Because GPP is rare, it can take time to find the right doctor. Not all doctors may be familiar with it. And if they recognise it, they still may need to do additional tests to confirm the diagnosis.
Some people may have to see several doctors before GPP is correctly diagnosed. In general, if you have widespread painful, pustules on your skin and have other symptoms like fever, joint pain, and extreme tiredness, you may have GPP.
A dermatologist (skin specialist) is the right doctor to diagnose GPP, but it may take a few visits. A doctor may refer you to another dermatologist who is an expert in GPP.
Once you find the right dermatologist, they may ask about your symptoms, medical history, and any family history of skin disease. They may also need to do blood tests or even look at a small piece of skin under a microscope, called a biopsy, to make the correct diagnosis and decide how best to help you.
TREATMENT CAN EASE YOUR SYMPTOMS
With help from doctors, you can manage your GPP symptoms, especially during a flare. Treatment can help improve skin symptoms and other symptoms, such as fever, joint pain, and extreme tiredness. The goal of treatment is to make symptoms less severe, so you can heal faster, resume your daily activities, and avoid complications that may require hospitalisation.
GPP continues to be a very rare disease, which may affect diagnosis and treatment. Your dermatologist may try different kinds of medication to ease your symptoms and help you get back to your daily activities. They might prescribe:
SKIN CREAMS
PHOTOTHERAPY (LIGHT THERAPY)
ORAL TREATMENTS
BIOLOGICS
LEARN FROM OTHERS’ EXPERIENCES WITH DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
GPP affects everyone differently. Learn about some patients' experiences with diagnosis and treatment by watching the video below. You can watch more videos in Living With GPP.
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