Psoriasis is a disease that cannot be completely cured. Therefore, a person has to be monitored by a doctor constantly in order to monitor the state of the body and how the disease is progressing. But not everyone knows who to contact when symptoms appear for the first time and for what signs you need to go to a specialist. We will tell you in more detail which doctors to go to if you suspect psoriasis, how and on the basis of what the diagnosis is made.
Which doctor treats skin psoriasis and when to contact him
Psoriasis is a chronic disease of a non-infectious nature. Most often, it affects the skin. Therefore, the doctor who treats psoriasis is a dermatologist. It is he who diagnoses and treats diseases that manifest themselves in the form of rashes and other changes on the skin. This applies to psoriasis in all areas of the skin. If it is not possible to visit such a specialist, you should at least consult a therapist or general practitioner.
The dermatologist conducts a conversation with the patient, specifying how long ago the symptoms appeared, what preceded it, how the symptoms change during the year and what affects this. If you do not yet have a confirmed diagnosis, then you should consult a dermatologist with the following symptoms:
- redness and itching of the skin;
- the appearance of psoriatic plaques on different parts of the body;
- peeling of the skin.
The plaques are most often localized on the elbows and knees. They are also often observed along the hairline on the head, in the lower back, in the skin folds. The skin in the area of plaques thickens, exfoliates. If you remove the scale, the skin underneath will bleed. Psoriasis usually worsens in winter when there is not enough sunlight. In a minority of patients, on the contrary, exposure to ultraviolet radiation causes a relapse.
Which doctor treats nail psoriasis
Psoriasis can affect not only the skin, but also the nails. In this case, you also need to consult a dermatologist. You can suspect psoriasis by changes in the nail plate:
- the surface of the nail turns yellow;
- the plate is partially or completely separated from the bed;
- small scales on the skin around the nail.
Unlike fungus, the nail with psoriasis does not have an unpleasant odor and does not become covered with dark spots.
How a dermatologist makes a diagnosis
A dermatologist can make a diagnosis based on the external signs of psoriasis. They are called the psoriatic triad. It includes 3 characteristic symptoms of psoriasis:
- The phenomenon of a stearin spot. The first sign that confirms the excessive activity of skin cells, namely, this becomes the cause of excessive peeling. If you try to scrape off the surface of the plaque, then small scales begin to separate from it, similar to pieces of stearin, the material used to make candles.
- Terminal film symptom. With further scraping of the stratum corneum, the thinnest film remains. The surface of the plaque becomes red and shiny. This is the last protective layer of the skin in the area of the plaque that covers the inflamed area.
- “Blood dew”, or Auspitz symptom. It consists in the fact that when scraping the scales or terminal film tightly sitting on the skin, small punctate hemorrhages appear.
In the presence of all three signs in the diagnosis, there is no doubt. After that, the dermatologist determines the form and stage of the disease, which will help to draw up a competent treatment regimen for psoriasis. For this, additional studies, instrumental and laboratory ones can be carried out:
- radiograph;
- blood test for allergens;
- rheumatic tests;
- blood chemistry;
- Ultrasound of internal organs;
- scraping the skin.
What doctors are still dealing with psoriasis
Psoriasis is a systemic disease that can affect more than just the skin and nails. In humans, joints and internal organs can be affected. Most often this applies to cases of a prolonged course of the disease with damage to a large area of the skin. The following organs may be under attack:
- heart and blood vessels;
- organs of vision;
- liver and kidneys;
- digestive organs;
- lungs.
Psoriasis can also affect blood circulation, endocrine and immune systems, and metabolic processes. The likelihood of developing psoriatic arthropathy is especially high. The joints of the arms and legs, some parts of the spine can be affected. Most often this occurs when plaques are localized on the elbows, knees and nails. The characteristic symptoms of joint damage are stiffness and soreness, including in the muscles. They are especially pronounced in the morning immediately after waking up.
With this in mind, the dermatologist determines which doctors are still to be consulted for psoriasis. These can be the following highly specialized doctors:
- cardiologist (heart and blood vessels);
- immunologist (immune system);
- endocrinologist (thyroid gland);
- rheumatologist (joint condition);
- gastroenterologist (liver and stomach);
- neuropathologist (nervous system);
- nephrologist (kidneys).
These are doctors who treat psoriasis if the disease has led to certain complications. The patient may also require the help of a psychotherapist, since exacerbations are often associated with nervous tension and stress. If the mental state is stabilized, remission can be achieved. The psychotherapist also helps to cope with the complexes caused by the unaesthetic appearance of the plaques. This is an especially important step in the treatment of psoriasis in children and adolescents, who, due to their age, can become very withdrawn.
Now you know which doctor to contact for skin psoriasis. We advise you not to postpone your visit until later, because the earlier you start therapy, the easier it will be to achieve remission. The PsorMak clinic has a comprehensive approach to treatment, prescribing a safe non-hormonal ointment, an individual diet, reflexology and psychotherapy. This allows us to consolidate the good results of therapy and prolong remission up to 6 years or more.