Psoriasis
Patient Education

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When looking for a diagnosis of psoriasis, your physician will do a complete examination of the skin, nails and scalp.

A biopsy (taking a small skin sample) may be taken to rule out conditions that look similar in appearance. In particular, your doctor will look to exclude:

• Ringworm (tinea corporis)- fungal red scaly circle rash
• Lichen planus-dry itchy bumps on arms or legs, inflammatory
• Pityriasis rosea- starts with one large spot on torso (herald patch) which branches out but confined to 6-8 weeks
• Seborrheic dermatitis- itchy, scaly, greasy, reddened areas of skin
• Dandruff - flaky white cells of the scalp

While there are no blood tests or radiological tests used to diagnose psoriasis, blood will be drawn for screening and monitoring the liver, kidneys and blood while on various oral medications for psoriasis.

Your doctor may screen your blood for the following:

• HIV
• Hepatitis B and C
• Tuberculosis

As you take oral medications to treat psoriasis, your doctor will monitor your blood for the following:

• Triglycerides
• Cholesterol and lipid panel
• Complete blood count
• Liver and Kidney enzymes