Diagnosis of Psoriasis

Home

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

| A |

| B |

| C |

| D |

| E |

| F |

| G |

| H |

| I |

| J |

| K |

| L |

| M |

| N |

| O |

| P |

| Q |

| R |

| S |

| T |

| U |

| V |

| W |

| X |

| Y |

There is no blood test for psoriasis. Usually the doctor will make the diagnosis from the appearance of the affected skin. Rarely, a sample of skin scrapings or a small sample of skin will be sent to the laboratory for examination under a microscope.

If your doctor suspects you have psoriatic arthritis (see complications), you should be referred to a rheumatologist, who specializes in arthritis. Blood tests may be taken to rule out other conditions and x rays of the affected joints may be taken.

Inverse psoriasis may be confused with the presence of the yeast, candida, scalp psoriasis for seborrhoeic dermatitis and nail involvement for a fungal infection. Treatment may also be more complex as these conditions can co-exist.

Paget's disease Painkillers Pancreatitis Panic disorder Parkinson's disease Patient Advice and Liaison Services Patient and Public Involvement Forums Patient choice Pelvic inflammatory disease Pemphigus vulgaris Peptic ulcer Perforated eardrum Pericarditis Periods Periods, absent Periods, heavy Periods, irregular Periods, painful Peritonitis Persistent vegetative state PET scan Phenylketonuria Phobias Phosphate test Physiotherapy Pilonidal sinus Plasma products Plastic surgery Pleurisy Pneumococcal infections Pneumonia Poisoning Poliomyelitis Polycystic ovarian syndrome Polymyalgia rheumatica Polyps, nose Post-mortem Post-natal depression Post-traumatic stress disorder Potassium test Pre-eclampsia Preconception Pregnancy Premenstrual syndrome Preoperative tests Pressure ulcers Priapism Prickly heat Primary biliary cirrhosis Progestogen-only pill Prolapse of the uterus Prostate disease Psoriasis Psychiatry Psychosis Psychotherapy Puberty