woman talking with her dermatologist about psoriasis
ARTICLEPSORIASIS

Should My Dermatologist Be a Psoriasis Specialist? A Q&A with Dr. Truong

By Beth W. Orenstein
September 29, 2023

This article is part of a Q&A series in which a healthcare professional in our community answers your frequently asked questions.

We asked: “How important is it to find a dermatologist specializing in psoriasis? What steps can I take to find a knowledgeable provider?”

Allison Truong, M.D.: When you have psoriasis, you should see a healthcare provider, preferably a dermatologist, who is familiar with and who regularly treats the disease.

The number of available treatments for psoriasis has grown substantially in the last two decades, and even more are coming on the market. Working with a provider who is familiar with the latest treatments for psoriasis can help you choose which options are best for you—and work with your insurance company to help you afford them.

All board-certified dermatologists have studied psoriasis as part of their training and have the clinical knowledge to provide you with the best treatment options. To find a board-certified dermatologist, you can search directories provided by several reputable organizations. These include:

  • The National Psoriasis Foundation Health Care Provider Directory. Enter your zip code or city and how far you are willing to travel to see the doctor (from 5 to 100 miles).
  • The American Academy of Dermatology Association Find A Dermatologist search engine. It, too, has a search by zip code.

Once you have names of a few practitioners, call their office and ask to speak to the scheduler. Ask questions like:

  • Which of the doctors in this practice are best for people with psoriasis?
  • If your relative had psoriasis, which dermatologist would you recommend they see?

The schedulers are often willing to recommend which doctor they think would be best for you. For example, some dermatologists focus on cosmetic procedures and may have less experience treating skin conditions such as psoriasis.

You may also consider seeking care through an academic medical center—one that’s affiliated with a medical school and teaching hospital. Academic centers have the latest information about psoriasis and how it’s treated.

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