Psoriasis is a common skin disease. The name comes from the Greek word "psora" (translated as "itching"). Today, about 5% of the world's population suffers from this disease.
Psoriasis can occur in people of all ages, from babies to the elderly. Experience shows that the majority of patients are young people. They consult a doctor on suspicion of psoriasis.
Before going to the clinic, you need to know which specialist you should contact with such complaints.
Which doctor should I consult if I suspect psoriasis?
In case of the first signs of psoriasis, it is necessary to visit a dermatologist. After all, the symptoms of this disease first appear on the skin.
A specialist in the authorized treatment of skin diseases will make a correct diagnosis, as well as take all necessary therapeutic measures.
If the patient has a complex type of psoriasis (psoriatic arthropathy), treatment should be carried out by a professional rheumatologist.
Regardless of which specialist the patient consults, the doctor can easily confirm or deny the existence of this disease.
Treating any form of psoriasis is a laborious process. By the way, complete cure does not happen in principle. Even in the absence of symptoms, the disease progresses to regression. In this case, the symptoms may disappear completely.
Which doctor treats psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a systemic disease, the symptoms of which are not limited to skin rashes. Often its course is accompanied by changes in metabolism, immune disorders, as well as disorders of the endocrine system.
Often, disorders affect the functioning of internal organs. Therefore, it is not enough to consult a dermatologist in this situation.
Many patients develop psoriatic plaques on the scalp. In this case, the advice of an appropriate specialist is also required.
Dermatologist
It is very important that a patient with psoriasis be regularly monitored by an experienced dermatologist. This is important because the disease can worsen several years after remission.
In addition, the specialist conducts the necessary research to identify the underlying disease that may lead to the development of skin disease.
In this case, it is necessary to carry out effective treatment.
All therapeutic measures, regardless of the severity of the disease, should be agreed with a dermatologist. Sometimes psoriasis leads to the development of a pathology that affects the joints - psoriatic arthropathy. In case of any complications, the specialist sends the patient to a rheumatologist.
Specialized Physicians
When answering a general question, which specialist treats psoriasis, many people forget that it is important to eliminate not only the external manifestations of the disease, but also the cause of the deterioration of well-being. Accordingly, you can not do without the help of highly qualified specialists for the effective treatment of the disease.
Doctors treating psoriasis and its common complications include:
- gastroenterologist: In case of severe organ damage, the help of this doctor is required. In this case, it is often necessary to take strong medications. Despite the fact that it adversely affects the condition of the stomach, liver, the course of treatment with the use of these drugs has a positive effect;
- cardiologist: pathology may be accompanied by significant disorders of the heart (pericarditis, myocarditis). In such cases, the patient simply needs professional help from a cardiologist;
- nephrologist:Certain forms of the disease are accompanied by major failures, partial dysfunction of the bladder, kidneys. Treatment of such pathologies should be carried out by a qualified physician;
- neurologist:neurological pathologies often lead to recurrence of a skin disease. Accordingly, patients prone to the development of prostatitis (or recurrence) should undergo a prophylactic examination every 3-6 months;
- rheumatologist: In case of arthropathy, a rheumatologist should be consulted. It is impossible to get rid of the disease without the right principle of treatment.
Treatment of pathology is effective only with timely measures. Following the doctor's advice will help you to cope with mental disorders, as well as to rule out the development of complications in the future.
It is recommended that all patients suffering from psoriasis be monitored by a psychologist. More than 78% of exacerbations are due to nervous tension and severe stress.
An experienced psychologist will help each patient to cope with emotional stress. Thanks to this, it will be possible to better adapt to society.
Clarification of the diagnosis: what medical examinations should be performed?
If psoriasis is suspected during the initial diagnostic examination, the patient must undergo the following mandatory tests during the initial examination:
- Urine analysis: it is necessary to determine the water-salt balance;
- fecal analysis:required to detect the possible presence of helminths in the body;
- blood test: general, as well as biochemistry. Many patients mistakenly believe that blood helps to refute or confirm the diagnosis. However, this is not entirely true. Such a study is conducted to determine the possible complications caused by the disease. Blood also allows you to detect the presence of allergic reactions in the body.
Additional research includes:
- bacteriological culture: if there is a rash on the mucous membrane. It is necessary to exclude pharyngitis (acute);
- radiography: if the patient has pain in the joints and the doctor suspects the presence of psoriatic arthritis, an auxiliary examination of the bone structure is performed;
- skin biopsy: Cytological examination of the epidermis removed from the affected skin is performed to clarify the diagnosis. Samples are taken from one or more parts of the body.
What is included in the patient's full medical support?
The ultimate goal of a doctor's job is not only to protect a person's ability to work, but also to prevent the disability of a patient suffering from psoriasis.
If the patient has already sought professional help in a serious condition, inpatient treatment is required. In satisfactory condition, experts recommend dispensary observation.
In this case, you should consult a doctor regularly. This will allow better control of the dynamics of the disease.
Full medical support for a patient suffering from psoriasis involves treatment in a special sanatorium or dispensary. It is not uncommon for patients to go to a specialized rest home for two weeks.
In such medical institutions, the patient is under the constant supervision of experienced specialists. At the same time, the effectiveness of treatment alone is not monitored. Sanatoriums are also thinking about the most suitable menu for guests suffering from psoriasis.
Many will agree that psoriasis is an unpleasant disease for the patient (both physically and mentally). Fortunately, medicine today knows many ways to effectively treat psoriasis.
Patients should know that today there are many specialists who can help them. Regardless of the severity of the disease, it must be skillfully combated. Only with the right approach will it be possible to achieve positive results and achieve lasting remission.