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
• Synthetic forms of vitamin A (retinoids) taken by mouth or applied to the skin
• 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