Special Tests For Psoriasis
In most cases your doctor will be able to tell definitely whether or not you have psoriasis on the basis of the distinctive appearance and history of your skin problem.
But occasionally, if he is not quite sure, he may want to carry out special tests to find out exactly what the trouble is.
The tests in common use are simple, informative, quick and not at all unpleasant.
One test that the doctor may use to find out whether you have got a ringworm infection is to scrape some of the scales off a patch and examine them through a microscope where the fungus responsible for ringworm will show up.
If the doctor thinks that the rash may be caused by eczema, and might be the result of an allergy, he may arrange for you to have a patch test.
When this happens, sticky plasters containing substances to which you might be allergic are applied to your skin (usually on your back).
If you are allergic to any of the substances, a rash will develop after about 48 hours at the place where the patch was applied.
If these tests do not supply a clear answer, the doctor may want to remove a small piece of the abnormal skin, so that it can be examined under a microscope.
This is known as a biopsy.
It is a very simple procedure, usually carried out in a hospital outpatient department or health centre, and is quite safe.
First of all the area from which the skin is to be removed is numbed by injecting a local anesthetic into it.
Once this has taken effect, a small piece of skin is cut away, and a few stitches inserted to close the wound if necessary.
The whole process usually takes no more than five or ten minutes.
A biopsy is certainly nothing to be frightened about, although it may leave a small scar behind.
I have had several biopsies myself, and I can honestly say that I would rather have ten of them than have one tooth filled.
Occasionally a dermatologist may suggest other tests if he feels that your general health is either causing the skin complaint or suffering as a result of it.
Blood tests and urine tests are both ways of checking up on this.
Most people have experienced these tests at some stage and will be aware that they are nothing to worry about.
These tests I have been describing are really the exception rather than the rule, as in most cases common psoriasis is not difficult to identify.
Your doctor is more likely to need this sort of test to help diagnose the rarer types of rash.
But occasionally, if he is not quite sure, he may want to carry out special tests to find out exactly what the trouble is.
The tests in common use are simple, informative, quick and not at all unpleasant.
One test that the doctor may use to find out whether you have got a ringworm infection is to scrape some of the scales off a patch and examine them through a microscope where the fungus responsible for ringworm will show up.
If the doctor thinks that the rash may be caused by eczema, and might be the result of an allergy, he may arrange for you to have a patch test.
When this happens, sticky plasters containing substances to which you might be allergic are applied to your skin (usually on your back).
If you are allergic to any of the substances, a rash will develop after about 48 hours at the place where the patch was applied.
If these tests do not supply a clear answer, the doctor may want to remove a small piece of the abnormal skin, so that it can be examined under a microscope.
This is known as a biopsy.
It is a very simple procedure, usually carried out in a hospital outpatient department or health centre, and is quite safe.
First of all the area from which the skin is to be removed is numbed by injecting a local anesthetic into it.
Once this has taken effect, a small piece of skin is cut away, and a few stitches inserted to close the wound if necessary.
The whole process usually takes no more than five or ten minutes.
A biopsy is certainly nothing to be frightened about, although it may leave a small scar behind.
I have had several biopsies myself, and I can honestly say that I would rather have ten of them than have one tooth filled.
Occasionally a dermatologist may suggest other tests if he feels that your general health is either causing the skin complaint or suffering as a result of it.
Blood tests and urine tests are both ways of checking up on this.
Most people have experienced these tests at some stage and will be aware that they are nothing to worry about.
These tests I have been describing are really the exception rather than the rule, as in most cases common psoriasis is not difficult to identify.
Your doctor is more likely to need this sort of test to help diagnose the rarer types of rash.