diagnosIS OF psoriasis
There is no blood test for psoriasis. Usually, your doctor will make the diagnosis from the appearance of your skin. In rare cases, a small sample of skin, called a biopsy, will be sent to the laboratory for examination under a microscope. This will determine the exact type of psoriasis and will rule out other skin disorders, such as seborrhoeic dermatitis, lichen planus, lichen simplex and pityriasis rosea.
If your doctor suspects you have psoriatic arthritis, which is sometimes a complication of psoriasis, you may be referred to a rheumatologist, who specialises in arthritis. You may have blood tests to rule out other conditions and X-rays of the affected joints may be taken.
For further information about the range of treatments for psoriasis follow this link
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Last Reviewed: 25 November 2011
Next Review Date: 7 November 2013
