Psoriasis
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of psoriasis is usually clinical
which means that the doctors would diagnose psoriasis after a careful examination of the skin. The white silvery scales of psoriasis are very distinctive and guiding feature for diagnosis.
Also, consideration of the history, family history, the spread
on affected areas, etc. is taken into account to conclude the
diagnosis of psoriasis. In cases of doubt doctor may ask the patient to do skin biopsy that means examining a small skin sample under a microscope. However this is not a routine practice.
When psoriasis affects the scalp, it may
resemble a few conditions such as a.
Dandruff
. b.
Seborrhoeic dermatitis c.
Eczema
d. Lichen
Planus.
Diagnosis in terms of causative factors and triggers is also done through thorough case taking.
A well studied case in terms of diagnosis of cause behind
psoriasis, such as stress triggers, etc. would be beneficial
while deciding the line of action.
Just to make a diagnosis of Psoriasis is not enough. Clinically
trained eyes can make the diagnosis in minutes. What is more
important is to understand and evaluated the origin, probable
cause/s, genetic tendency, family history of certain diseases,
the course of the disease, its spread, affection of joints,
study of previous medications consumed by the patients, etc.
