How can I find out if I have psoriasis?
Wondering if you have psoriasis? A dermatologist can tell you. This doctor specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases that affect the skin.
To diagnose psoriasis, all a dermatologist usually needs to do is look at your skin. If your skin is very dark, the psoriasis can be hard to see. A dermatologist may need to remove a bit of skin to find out if it’s psoriasis.
If you have psoriasis, a dermatologist can tailor a treatment plan to meet your specific needs. A dermatologist’s medical training gives this doctor in-depth knowledge of psoriasis and its treatments. Dermatologists know which psoriasis treatments can be:
Used to treat a patient and for how long
Safely used when a patient has another medical condition
Used to treat both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis
Safely combined—and which can be risky when used together
Combined to reduce side effects
A dermatologist can also:
Watch for early signs of psoriatic arthritis, a disease that you want to catch as early as possible
Recommend lifestyle changes that can reduce psoriasis flares
Tell you what can reduce your risk of developing other diseases that are more common when you have psoriasis
Help you set realistic expectations for managing your psoriasis
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