Psoriasis > Diagnosis of Psoriasis

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.

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. Actual diagnosis of Psoriasis should entail in depth study and behavior of psoriasis over the long period, response to the treatment, etc.