Rosacea, eczema and psoriasis can sometimes look and feel alike. Learn more. For more information from our Medical co-author, including how to work out the cause of your eczema or psoriasis, read on. They work by reducing inflammation and itching. In the comparison of psoriasis vs. eczema, erythrodermic psoriasis is one of the more unique forms that stands out for easy identification. But both have significant differences as well and we will discuss it here in terms of different parameters. Your doctor needs to make the final call, but psoriasis or eczema could be the problem. Both conditions can cause red, itchy skin but have different causes and different treatments. If a person’s eczema is severe and doesn’t respond to at-home treatments, a doctor can prescribe creams to reduce eczema occurrence and symptoms. Your skin may sting or burn. Eczema is frequently related to allergies; many people with eczema also have food allergies, asthma, or both. Or you could use just a biologic drug, which includes: American Academy of Dermatology: "Atopic dermatitis: Who gets and causes. Eczema vs Psoriasis: Risk Factors. When that happens, it's usually because you have another condition like thyroid disease, hormone changes, or stress. Eczema is less likely to cause scaling and is more likely to be accompanied by fluids leaking through the skin. Both psoriasis and eczema can cause itchy red rashes to form, so it could be either of them at first glance. If a person has both skin conditions, they may have to apply different treatments to each. Eczema Quite simply put, scalp eczema (seborrheic dermatitis) is caused by the over-secretion of sebum (natural oil) by the sebaceous glands in your scalp. It can even occur on your face, ears, chest, back, underarms, and genitals. Both are skin conditions with similar symptoms, but there are ways to tell them apart. Appearance. They can include itching, rashes and redness, which are common symptoms of chronic inflammatory skin conditions. This type of moisturizer has an oil or cream base, not a water base, like lotion, which could dry your skin out more. Psoriasis is common on the knees and elbows, while eczema generally appears behind the knees and the creases inside the elbows. Psoriasis: Should You Avoid Certain Foods? These medicines are known as calcineurin inhibitors. Eczema causes an intense itch, which is, sometimes, so intense that patients scratch their skin until they bleed. Weâve already established that despite having similar symptoms, psoriasis and eczema are two drastically different skin conditions. ", National Psoriasis Foundation: "About Psoriasis," "Life with Psoriasis," "Causes and Known Triggers," "Psoriasis Treatments.". A study published in the journal Science Translational Medicine studied patients who had both eczema and psoriasis. People with plaque psoriasis typically have sharply demarcated, raised, itchy, painful red plaques covered with silvery scales. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional, Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI, Complementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine, Aphantasia: The inability to visualize images, The Recovery Room: News beyond the pandemic — January 8, COVID-19: Research points to long-term neurological effects. Here we explore some of these differences in more detail. Eczema usually comes along with dry, sensitive skin. If youre not sure which condition you have, see your doctor to get an accurate diagnosis. "The biggest difference between eczema and psoriasis is the underlying causes. Because allergies can trigger eczema, avoiding substances a person knows they’re allergic to can help. Well tell you about some of the most important similarities and differences in the two conditions. But you can also get flare-ups when your skin is injured, for example by: Some medications can also bring on a psoriasis flare, like lithium, which treats bipolar disorder, or drugs for malaria. Like psoriasis, eczema can occur anywhere on the body, but this rash is most commonly seen on the hands and feet, elbows and knees, chest and around the eyes. Eczema causes an intense itch. It can be easy to confuse eczema and psoriasis since the symptoms often look similar, but one difference between eczema and psoriasis is the locations where they most often occur. However, before you can figure out how to treat the condition, you must identify the cause. Hence, to make it easy for you, above I have mentioned the differences based on their symptoms and looks so that you can easily identify it. Disclaimer. (NPF, 2018) âLike psoriasis, eczema is a condition involving immune dysregulation, however it isnât absolutely clear as yet that there is an autoimmune component. These similarities can make differentiating the disease difficult, especially in children. You might also try light therapy (your doctor will call it phototherapy) using ultraviolet light. A person may also go for quite some time without symptoms, then experience a flare-up. In fact, according to a 2015 review of studies in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, eczema was the condition most commonly misdiagnosed as psoriasis in infants and adolescents (and vice versa).1 T⦠Eczema tends to affect children in greater numbers. 3. Eczema makes your skin red and inflamed. Eczema results in dry, itchy patches of skin that can worsen when scratched. These include environmental factors, bacteria exposure, allergens, and family history. Psoriasis and Eczema are two conditions that confuse many people as the results are pretty similar. Difference #3: Location of symptoms. Psoriasis symptoms appear anywhere on the body, even the scalp, fingernails and toenails. These two skin problems have different causes and can appear in different stages of your life. Maybe you're settling into your easy chair for a little Sunday siesta. Psoriasis vs eczema both has many differences and similarities too, Initially, it will a bit hard for you to identify whether is it psoriasis or eczema. All rights reserved. When distinguishing between cases of eczema vs psoriasis, eczema is almost always very itchy, whereas psoriasis can sometimes be itchy, but not in all cases. #1 Site for Psoriasis and Eczema Info Blog. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease , meaning your immune system is dysfunctional and your skin cells grow too fast. While it won’t necessarily heal psoriasis, it can reduce the symptoms. Applying moisturizing creams is also helpful because it can lessen itching, dryness, and scratching. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. These include retinoids, methotrexate, cyclosporine, and immune-modulating drugs such as etanercept. Eczema
StraightFromTheDoc is a community-supported website. However, there are certain areas where youâre more prone to see psoriasis and certain areas youâre more likely to see eczema developing. Psoriasis vs. eczema. When it comes to eczema vs psoriasis, the two conditions are often confused for each other, but they are in fact quite different. We may earn a small commission on purchases made through our links. It's rare for a baby to have it. We want to state that Our comments, suggestions, blogs post, and articles are not intended to take the place of medical advice or medical professionals. We include information on symptoms and treatment options for different types. In addition, they stop skin cells from growing too quickly. This makes it difficult for doctors to diagnose the condition and recommend or prescribe the appropriate treatments. This includes: painful and itchy rashes, flaking skin, and dry skin. If your disease is limited, or mild, you may be able to control it with topical corticosteroids and emollients. Eczema tends to be on the hands, arms, elbows, ankles, knees, as ⦠Psoriasis vs. eczema in inconvenient places of the body Psoriasis in inconvenient places Psoriasis can develop in very uncomfortable places. Eczema can be caused by a number of factors. Learning the differences between eczema and psoriasis. Psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis. Exposure to dust from furnishings can also contribute to eczema. Dry and scaly skin woes can be due to a number of skin conditions. However, it is crucial to understand the differences between psoriasis and eczema While they are both skin conditions and sometimes look similar, they are caused by different things and are often treated differently. Excessive itching may result in open wounds that can become infected. Psoriasis treatment is either systemic, which means it affects your entire body, or topical, which goes on your skin. It can get so bad that you scratch enough to make your skin bleed. Read on to discover ⦠Although eczema can itch, psoriasis is often more painful with burning sensations or soreness. Because psoriasis involves the overproduction of skin cells, those cells build up on the skin and cause red plaques that are often covered by silvery-white scales. We are not medical professionals. Children who have psoriasis tend ⦠Whether it's psoriasis or eczema, your doctor can recommend ways to get relief for it. Typically, it takes about a month for skin cells to regenerate, but in people with psoriasis, this process happens every three to four days, according to the Cleveland Clinic. This is due to the fact that their symptoms may seem the same on the surface. Babies sometimes get it on their chin, cheeks, scalp, chest, back, arms, and legs. Depending on the type of eczema, treatment will vary greatly. 1 But despite the rash similarities, there are some clear indicators that can help you spot psoriasis over eczema, or vice versa. After all, both can cause red, inflamed or peeling skin. © 2004-2021 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company. Last medically reviewed on February 12, 2017. Psoriasis can cause a âscalyâ rash and is distinct from eczema in terms of its appearance, location and intensity. This treatment involves controlled exposure to ultraviolet light, which slows down skin cell turnover and reduces inflammation. Learn about scrotal eczema, a form of eczema that affects the scrotum. Two that can sometimes appear so similar that it’s tough for doctors to tell the difference are psoriasis and eczema. For mild to moderate cases, youâll use a topical corticosteroid to control inflammation, and youâll use an emollient on your skin. Eczema often appears on parts of your body that bend, like your inner elbow or behind your knees. Examples of other skin conditions that cause similar symptoms include: When a person has a skin condition of an unknown cause, they should see their physician to try and find out more about the condition’s potential cause. What are the different types of psoriasis? Caregivers can also give their child soft gloves to wear in bed to keep them from scratching while sleeping. Moderate-to-severe psoriasis can be treated with stronger medications available by prescription. Itâs not surprising that many people canât tell the difference between psoriasis and eczema. Symptoms of psoriasis These two drugs should be used with caution as they carry a warning about a possible risk of cancer. Either way, you stop and pause, because you've got an itch that just won't leave you alone -- along with blotches of red on your skin. Psoriasis can also cause red patches. Certain factors are known to trigger psoriasis episodes or worsen existing psoriasis. Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that affects about 7.5 million Americans, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Eczema typically presents with red, itchy skin and can be present with or without scales. Eczema and psoriasis are two common types of skin disorder, exhibits different symptoms. Yet, on closer look, there are differences and a trained doctor will surely know the differences. Learn about dyshidrotic eczema, a common form of this skin condition that causes blisters. Psoriasis causes well-defined, thick, red, scaly patches, commonly in areas like the elbows and knees. You can have it on your neck, wrists, and ankles. Psoriasis, on the other hand, usually shows up between ages 15 and 35. But if you look closely, the skin is thicker and more inflamed than with eczema. ", National Eczema Association: "Eczema," "Symptoms of Eczema," "Causes & Triggers," "Treatment. 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