Diagnosis

In most cases, a diagnosis of psoriasis is relatively straightforward and includes the following:

  • Physical exam and medical history.
  • Skin biopsy (rare).

There are several different kinds of psoriasis including plaque, guttate, inverse, pustular, palmoplantar, and nail.

clinical manifestation

Symptoms of psoriasis may include:

  • Worsening of erythematous scaly areas
  • Plaque onset (small areas of scaly redness)
  • Recent streptococcal throat infection, immunization, use of antimalarial drug, viral infection, or trauma
  • Family history of skin conditions
  • Pruritus
  • Afebrile
  • Dystrophic nails
  • Joint pain (with/without long-term rash)

Conditions that may mimic psoriasis include seborrheic dermatitis, lichen planus, pityriasis rosea, tinea corporis.  Generally, psoriasis is classified as mild, moderate, or severe, based on body coverage.

psoriasis coverage

REFERENCES

 

  1. Meffert, J. Psoriasis Clinical Presentation. Medscape. Available at: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1943419-clinical.
  2. National Institutes of Health. Psoriasis. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMHT0022696/.

Epidemiology

Challenges

Diagnosis

Cardiovascular Disease

Treatments

Additional Reading