Psoriasis is a common skin disease. Its name comes from the Greek word "psora" (translated as "itch"). Today, about 5% of the world’s population suffers from this disease.
Psoriasis can occur at all ages, from infants to the elderly. Practice shows that the majority of patients are young. They went to the doctor on suspicion of psoriasis.
Before visiting the clinic, you need to know which specialist you should contact with the complaint.
Which doctor should I call if I suspect psoriasis?
In case of manifestation of the first signs of psoriasis, it is necessary to visit a dermatologist. After all, the symptoms of the disease first appear on the skin.
Specialists who carry out efficient treatment of skin diseases will make a correct diagnosis, as well as carry out all the necessary therapeutic measures.
If the patient has a complicated type of psoriasis (psoriatic arthropathy), treatment should be carried out by a professional rheumatologist.
Regardless of which specialist the patient turns to, the doctor can easily confirm or, conversely, deny the presence of the disease.
Treatment of any form of psoriasis is a difficult process. In this way, a complete cure does not apply in principle. Even with the disappearance of symptoms, the disease enters a stage of regression. In this case, the symptoms may disappear completely.
Which doctors treat psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a systemic disease, the symptoms of which are not limited to skin rashes. Often, its journey is accompanied by changes in metabolism, immune disorders, as well as damage in the endocrine system.
Violations quite often affect the work of internal organs. Accordingly, the consultation of a dermatologist in this case is not enough.
Psoriatic plaques in most patients form on the scalp. In this case, appropriate expert advice is also required.
Dermatologist
It is very important that psoriasis patients are constantly monitored by an experienced dermatologist. This is very important, as the disease can get worse even a few years after remission.
In addition, specialists conduct the necessary studies to determine the underlying disease, which may lead to the development of skin diseases.
In this case, it is necessary to carry out effective treatment.
All therapeutic measures, regardless of the severity of the disease, must be agreed with the dermatologist. Sometimes psoriasis provokes the development of pathology that affects the joints - psoriatic arthropathy. In case of any complications, the specialist refers the patient to a rheumatologist.
Specialist Doctor
When answering common questions, experts who treat psoriasis, many people forget that it is important to eliminate not only the external manifestations of the disease, but also the causes that cause deterioration of well -being. Therefore, for the effective treatment of the disease, one cannot do it without the help of a very specialized specialist.
Here are doctors who treat psoriasis and its common complications:
- gastroenterologist: the help of this doctor is needed in case of severe organ damage. In this case, it is often necessary to take strong medications. Despite the fact that they negatively affect the condition, the work of the stomach, liver, the course of treatment with the use of these drugs produces a good effect;
- cardiologist: pathology may be accompanied by significant disturbances in the work of the heart (pericarditis, myocarditis). In such cases, the patient only needs professional help from a cardiologist;
- nephrologist:certain forms of the disease are accompanied by major failure, partial dysfunction of the bladder, kidneys. Such pathological treatment should be carried out by a qualified physician;
- neurologist:neurological pathology often gives rise to recurrence of skin diseases. Accordingly, patients prone to the development of prostatitis (or when it recurs) should undergo a preventive examination every 3-6 months;
- rheumatologist: in case of arthropathy, consultation of a rheumatologist is necessary. It is impossible to get rid of this disease without a properly chosen principle of treatment.
Pathological treatment is only effective with timely action. Adherence to the recommendations of the doctor will allow you to overcome mental discomfort, as well as exclude the development of complications in the future.
All patients suffering from psoriasis are recommended to be observed by a psychologist. More than 78% of the exacerbation of the disease is indicated due to nervous tension, severe stress.
An experienced psychologist will help each patient cope with emotional stress. Thanks to this, it is possible to adapt better in society.
Diagnosis explanation: what medical examination should you undergo?
During the initial diagnostic examination, if psoriasis is suspected, the patient must undergo the following mandatory tests during the initial examination:
- Urine analysis: necessary to determine the water-salt balance;
- fecal analysis:needed to detect the possible presence of helminths in the body;
- blood test: am, as well as biochemistry. Many patients mistakenly believe that blood helps to refute or confirm a diagnosis. However, this is not entirely true. Such studies are conducted to identify possible complications caused by the disease. Blood also allows you to determine the presence of allergic reactions in the body.
Additional studies include:
- bacteriological culture: carried out if a rash appears on the mucous membranes. This is necessary to exclude pharyngitis (acute);
- radiography: if the patient has pain in the joints, and the doctor suspects the presence of psoriatic arthritis, additional studies of bone structure are performed;
- skin biopsy: to clarify the diagnosis, cytological examination of the epidermis is performed, which is removed from the affected skin. Samples are taken from one or more areas of the body.
What includes full patient medical support?
The main goal of a doctor’s work is to maintain a person’s work capacity, as well as to prevent disability of patients with psoriasis.
If the patient has sought qualified assistance in a serious condition, inpatient treatment is required. Under satisfactory conditions, experts recommend dispensary observation.
In this case, you need to visit your doctor regularly. Thanks to this, it is possible to better control the dynamics of the disease.
Full medical support for patients with psoriasis involves treatment in a sanatorium or special dispensary. It is not uncommon for patients to go to a specialized rest home for two weeks.
In such medical institutions, patients are under the constant supervision of experienced specialists. At the same time, not only the effectiveness of treatment is controlled. The sanatorium also figured out the most suitable menu for guests with psoriasis.
Many will agree that psoriasis is an unpleasant disease for patients (from a physical and moral point of view). Fortunately, medicine today knows many ways to treat psoriasis effectively.
Patients should be aware that today there are many specialists who can come to their aid. Regardless of the stage of the disease, the disease must be dealt with efficiently. Only in the case of the right approach will be able to achieve positive results and achieve sustainable forgiveness.