Psoriasis Tests and Psoriasis Treatments at University of Colorado Hospital
Tests for Psoriasis
Your doctor usually diagnoses psoriasis by looking at your skin. On occasion, your doctor may perform a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. This requires taking a small piece of skin to examine under a microscope.
Psoriasis Treatments
Treatments for psoriasis include:
- Over-the-counter creams, gels, ointments and lotions
- Anti-inflammatory drugs called corticosteroids, applied to the skin
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Synthetic forms of vitamin A (retinoids) taken by mouth or applied to the skin
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Synthetic forms of vitamin D (calcipotriene), applied to the skin
- Exposure to ultraviolet light (phototherapy). This helps prevent skin cells from building up. The light also decreases inflammation