Investigations

Diagnosis

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes raised, red, scaly patches to appear on the skin. It typically affects the outside of the elbows, knees or scalp, though it can appear on any location. Some people report that psoriasis is itchy, burns and stings.

If you develop a rash that doesn't go away with an over-the-counter medication, you should consider contacting your doctor.

Doctor can make a psoriasis diagnosis just by visual inspection. Your doctor will consider where the raised, red, scales appear, if they have well-defined edges and how the rash responds to medication when making a diagnosis.

Psoriasis may seem similar to eczema, but there are several differences:

¬  Psoriasis plaques are well-defined; eczema tends to be flatter with less well-defined edges.

¬  Eczema typically occurs on locations atypical for psoriasis, such as the front of elbows or behind the knees. Psoriasis is most often found on the outside of knees and elbows, the scalp, the lower back, the face, the palms and soles of feet. It also can show up in other places, such as fingernails, toenails, the genitals and inside the mouth.

Investigations indicated in acute forms of psoriasis may include:

Ø  Skin swabs for bacteriology: to identify secondary infection (Staph. aureus and Strept. pyogenes)

Ø  Throat swab for beta haemolytic streptococcus

Ø  Skin biopsy to confirm diagnosis

Ø  Blood count, electrolytes, calcium, liver function in acutely unwell patients

When biopsied, psoriasis skin looks thicker and inflamed when compared to skin with eczema.

Doctor also will want to learn about your family history. About one-third of people with psoriasis have a family member with the disease,

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