Psoriasis causes raised, scaly patches of skin, called plaques, anywhere on your body.
However, psoriasis isn’t the only skin condition that causes the formation of these patches. If you are unsure if you have psoriasis or not, consider visiting a psoriasis doctor near Frisco.
At McGuiness Dermatology & Plastic Surgery, our board-certified dermatologists can determine if you have psoriasis and create a treatment plan to help you manage the condition.
Here are some questions we may ask you during your appointment.
Do Your Plaques Have Well-Defined Borders?
Psoriasis and eczema are commonly mistaken for one another. They both cause red patches of skin that are itchy. Despite their similarities, your psoriasis doctor can still identify distinctions between the two.
Related Reading: Psoriasis or Eczema? Ask a Dermatologist
The scaly patches of skin caused by eczema typically have ill-defined borders, while psoriasis has well-defined edges that you can clearly see and feel.
Psoriasis may also be confused with ringworm, a fungal infection that has a well-defined border. However, ringworm has a circular shape with clearer skin in the middle.
Where Do Plaques Appear?
Psoriasis can appear anywhere on your body, but it favors certain areas, including:
- Outside of your knees and elbows
- Scalp
- Lower back
- Fingernails and toenails
- Genitals
- Palms and feet
Additionally, it can appear in more than one place at a time.
By contrast, eczema appears on the inside creases of your elbows and knees, rather than the bony, outside parts.
Do You Have a Personal or Family History of Psoriasis?
Psoriasis runs in families, meaning that if you have a sibling, parent, or grandparent who has or had it, you run a greater risk of getting it. With that information in mind, during your consultation with a psoriasis doctor near Frisco, we review your medical and family history to help us determine if you have this condition.
Do Your Joints Hurt?
Psoriasis doesn’t just affect your skin; it can cause joint pain as well. This condition is known as psoriatic arthritis. Psoriasis and arthritis are both autoimmune diseases, meaning your immune system mistakenly attacks your body rather than defending it.
It’s worth noting that most people with this condition get psoriasis first, which only affects the skin. Years later, joint pain and inflammation may set in.
Why You Should Visit a Psoriasis Doctor
Even with a helpful guide, it can still be hard to determine whether you have psoriasis, eczema, ringworm, or another skin condition. Fortunately, our psoriasis doctor near Frisco can treat several skin conditions, helping you find relief and manage burning, itchy, dry skin that bothers you throughout the day.
Do You Have Psoriasis? Ask a Dermatologist at McGuiness
Dry, itchy, or scaly skin is something a dermatologist should look at for an accurate diagnosis and to find appropriate treatment. Whether you have eczema, psoriasis, or any other skin condition, it only takes a 10-minute appointment to get the answers you need.
Schedule a consultation to find relief.
Alternatively, you can try our treatment planning tool. This streamlines the process and allows you to explore our services like dry skin treatment, hyperpigmentation treatment, or even hormonal pimple treatment.
