How Does
How Is Psoriasis Diagnosed?
What is Psoriasis?
-
At first glance, psoriasis is characterized by clusters of scales on the skin. It is caused by a buildup of rough and dry skin. It is not a fungus, but an underlying skin disorder thought to have both genetic and autoimmune causes. Basically, psoriasis occurs when the growth of skin is greatly accelerated, so much so that the top layer of skin (the epidermis) is characterized by red patches of dead scales. Since there are multiple forms of psoriasis, a dermatologist (a doctor who specializes in skin disorders) is best able to diagnose the specific type of psoriasis. This diagnosis is done based on both a visual exam and a skin biopsy.
Visual Exam
-
A dermatologist first suspects psoriasis if a patient displays areas of dry, scaly skin. These areas do not often look inflamed or itchy, but simply dry and rough. The dermatologist will also inspect the color of these patches, as psoriasis often manifests as reddish skin with silvery scales, while conditions such as dermatitis often make the affected skin appear yellowish. Furthermore, the dermatologist will also look at the nails of the patient, which usually appear either deformed, pitted, or thick.
Biopsy Exam
-
Of course, a visual test is not enough to diagnose psoriasis--the dermatologist must take a small sample of the patient's skin (a biopsy) to send to a pathology lab for analysis. At the lab, a technician places the biopsy on a slide and examines it under a microscope. The technician either finds the biopsy positive or negative for psoriasis, and alerts the dermatologist to his findings. If the biopsy is positive, and it corresponds to the visual exam and the patient's symptomology, the dermatologist will formally diagnose psoriasis.
eHow Article: How Is Psoriasis Diagnosed?
