Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition of the body that produces scaly lesions, so its diagnosis might be confused with other skin conditions.
Dr. Hiram Ruiz, dermatologist and specialist in Mohs surgery. Photo: Journal of Medicine and Public Health
The psoriasis It is an autoimmune condition of the body, which produces inflammation in the skin. For a long time, it was believed that only the skin was affected in this disease, however, it is now known that when it is severe, it can affect different systems of the body and can exacerbate other diseases related to the heart, such as hypertension. .
For this, the diagnosis from psoriasis It is clinical and requires the dermatologist to evaluate the lesions and perform a diagnosis differential to avoid wrongly treating this or any other skin condition.
Importance of clinical diagnosis in psoriasis
Dr. Hiram Ruiz, dermatologist and specialist in Mohs surgery, in an interview for the Journal of Medicine and Public Health added that mushrooms y dermatitis seborrheic are often confused with psoriasis because “the lesions of both conditions are similar, except that the latter does not have lesions as thick and painful as those of the psoriasis. They will be located only on the head, or if they are severe, on the upper part of the chest or back.”
Palmoplantar psoriasis is different from fungi
Other conditions that Dr. Ruiz assures tend to be underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed, is when the psoriasis wraps hands and feet, known as psoriasis palmo plantar, since it has characteristics similar to those of the mushrooms like athlete’s foot. However, a diagnosis correct differential, will allow formulating a treatment effective and not worsen the patient’s condition.
“It is necessary to make a correct diagnosisbecause this will allow a correct treatment. For example, if an infectious condition, such as a fungus, is being treated with anti-inflammatory medication, such as for psoriasisthis condition is going to get worse,” added the dermatologist.
Scientific advances for the benefit of psoriasis
There have been many advances that have been made over the last 10 years to specify and refine the treatment from psoriasis as an autoimmune condition. In fact, when it was treated as a purely skin condition, medications were used that, although they suppress the immune system and work to reduce inflammation, patients were faced with various problems and generalized discomfort such as recurrent infections.
“Today, it has been possible to identify specific molecules that are one of those responsible for inflammation of the psoriasisand for this reason, it has been possible to prepare more specific drugs to block this type of cytokines or protein that is in the blood and that causes inflammation”, highlighted Dr. Ruiz.
Advice from an expert if you think you have psoriasis
Compared to some 20 or 30 years ago, where treatment conditions were more innocuous and shallow, patients had to be treated in a generalized manner without finding prompt improvement for their specific problem.
However, currently, Dr. Ruiz’s advice is clear and concise for those patients of psoriasis: “Today, 2022, there is no excuse for a patient with this condition to live miserably, since technological advances and the multiple aids offered to these people are much broader than in previous years.”