Your GP (General Practitioner) may refer you to a dermatologist, a specialist skin doctor, who will probably be able to diagnose your psoriasis (Pso) just by looking at it.[1] However, if he or she thinks it is necessary, a biopsy (a small skin sample) may also be taken to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other diseases.[1] If your Pso was triggered by a throat infection, a swab carried out on the throat can identify the presence of bacteria,[2][3] and you may be prescribed an antibiotic. [4]
Up to 30% of people with Pso also suffer from psoriatic arthritis, a form of arthritis that affects the joints.[5] If you have Pso with joint pain, you may be referred to a rheumatologist for diagnosis (confirmation), monitoring and treatment.[1][5][6]
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