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Psoriasis Diagnosis
Psoriasis diagnosis is rather straightforward. Your doctor will perform a physical examination of your skin, scalp, and nails, and also take your medical history. If you have a family member with psoriasis, it’s important to share that with your doctor.
In rare cases, a psoriasis diagnosis may require a biopsy, where your doctor takes a small sample of skin to examine under a microscope so he or she can determine the exact type of psoriasis and rule out other disease possibilities.
To diagnose psoriasis, a dermatologist:
- Examines a patient’s skin, nails, and scalp for signs of psoriasis.
- Asks whether family members have psoriasis.
- Learns about what has been happening in the patient’s life. A dermatologist may want to know whether a patient has been under a lot of stress, had a recent illness, or just started taking a medicine.
Sometimes a dermatologist also removes a bit of skin. A dermatologist may call this confirming the diagnosis. By looking at the removed skin under a microscope, one can confirm whether a person has psoriasis.
