Psoriasis - Diagnosing psoriasis
- Introduction
- Symptoms of psoriasis
- Causes of psoriasis
- Diagnosing psoriasis
- Treating psoriasis
- Living with psoriasis
- ‘The ointments made me smell like a newly paved road’
Usually, your doctor will make a diagnosis of psoriasis based on the appearance of your skin.
In rare cases, a small sample of skin, called a biopsy, will be sent to the laboratory for examination under a microscope. This will determine the exact type of psoriasis and will rule out other skin disorders, such as seborrhoeic dermatitis, lichen planus, lichen simplex and pityriasis rosea.
You may be referred to a dermatologist (a specialist in diagnosing and treating skin conditions) if your doctor is uncertain about your diagnosis or your condition is severe.
If your doctor suspects you have psoriatic arthritis, which is sometimes a complication of psoriasis, you may be referred to a rheumatologist. Rheumatologists are doctors who specialises in arthritis. You may have blood tests to rule out other conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, and X-rays of the affected joints may be taken.
See living with psoriasis for more information about psoriatic arthritis.
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