Symptoms and Diagnosis of Psoriasis
By Dean Goodless, M.D., About.com Guide to Psoriasis
Psoriasis has specific symptoms that allow physicians to diagnose most cases during a simple clinical examination -- even without further testing. Other cases, however, can be a little trickier.
Do You Have Psoriasis?
A few classic features -- red and scaly rashes, nail pitting, joint pain -- make psoriasis easier to identify. The nature and location of the rash often give the condition away. Who may eventually develop these symptoms, however, is not a simple question to answer.
Diagnosis of Psoriasis
While doctors can quickly spot psoriasis in some patients, testing is sometimes needed to rule out other similar rash-producing conditions, such as eczema. After a diagnosis is made, the next step is determining just how severe your case is, so that the best treatment can be selected.
