What Symptoms Should You Watch For
Visually, it can sometimes be difficult to tell one condition from the other.
You have to look at all the clinical aspects of a rash to distinguish between eczema and psoriasis, including the history and the patients other medical problems, Dr. Fernandez says.
The common signs dry and/or cracked scaly skin, itching and red patches or plaques may show up for either.
With psoriasis, the plaques on your skin are likely thicker and have dry scaling. But sometimes thats not enough to tell between the two with the naked eye, Dr. Fernandez says.
A more obvious clue fluid leaking through the skin points to eczema.
When we see that, we definitely think about eczema instead of psoriasis, he says. But there are definitely times when we cannot tell the difference. And, in those cases, we will perform biopsies.
Know The Underlying Causes
Eczema and psoriasis have different causes. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease, which occurs when your immune system becomes dysfunctional and your skin cells start to grow too fast. The cells that pile up on the top of the skin then lead to the formation of a white scale.
Both genetic and environmental factors may cause eczema. It may be due to the mutation of the gene responsible for creating a protective layer on the top of the skin. Thus, the mutated gene leaves the skin prone to infection and flare. Dry climate can also play a role in triggering eczema.
Whats The Difference Between Dermatitis And Psoriasis
Psoriasis and dermatitis can appear similar. Both cause patches of red skin. However, in psoriasis, the scales are thick and the edges of those scales are well-defined.
Discuss with your healthcare provider your questions about which type of skin condition you have. You can have more than one skin condition at a time. Treatments for one may not work for the other.
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Finding The Proper Treatment Plan
Once you pinpoint which condition you have, you can begin the proper treatment process for relief. Since eczema and psoriasis are both skin conditions, they will have some similarities in how they are treated, but the specific medications and methods will differ. From over-the-counter options to doctor-prescribed medications and treatments, there are multiple treatment options for each condition. Some of these include:
Topical cream. For both conditions, a topical cream with cortisone can help to reduce inflammation and provide relief. This is most helpful for mild cases. There are a variety of over-the-counter treatments for both psoriasis and eczema.
Immunosuppressive medications. For more moderate to severe cases, a medication like cyclosporine or methotrexate can help calm your body’s immune response.
Phototherapy or ultraviolet light. Phototherapy, or light therapy, creates UVB light through a machine. UVB light treatment can provide relief for severe psoriasis cases. This is a controlled process carried out under medical supervision, helping to reduce itching and inflammation while increasing your body’s ability to fight bacteria.
Antibiotics. In some cases, specifically for those with eczema, it is possible to experience a secondary infection. A doctor may prescribe a topical or oral antibiotic to fight the infection and relieve inflammation.
Lets Cut To The Chase About What Are The Best Psoriasis Treatments
If you do suffer from psoriasis or eczema then youll probably already know what the symptoms are and very likely have a good idea of what orthodox medical treatments are available, so we wont bother to go into these any more. What we will do instead is get straight into giving you some powerful natural remedies for psoriasis and eczema that really work!
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What Is Psoriatic Arthritis
Some people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis, which causes joint pain, stiffness and swelling. Though most commonly experienced in the fingers, toes and along the spine, psoriatic arthritis can affect any part of your body, and the pain and swelling can range from mild to severe. Similar to other psoriasis types, there is no cure for psoriatic arthritis, and its imperative that those with this type of psoriasis seek medical treatment, as symptoms can become disabling if left untreated.7
What Does This Study Add
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There is some evidence that atopic eczema and psoriasis may present in the same individual, both simultaneously and consecutively.
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Coexistence of disease may occur at a level equal or lower than expected.
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Clinicians should be aware of coexistence at diagnosis, when selecting therapies and when reviewing poor response to treatment.
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How Is Psoriasis Diagnosed
Doctors usually diagnose psoriasis by examining the skin, scalp, and nails. Theyll also ask whether someone else in the family has psoriasis and if the child recently had an illness or started taking a new medicine.
Rarely, doctors might take a skin sample to check more closely. A biopsy can tell the doctor whether its psoriasis or another condition with similar symptoms.
Which Is Worse Eczema Or Psoriasis
Another study showed that using zinc sulphate cream was effective in treating the red flaky itchy and scaly skin associated with mild to moderate psoriasis. How do you know when you have Psoriasis that can enter the epidermis (epidermis psoriasis they suffer more red scaly patches of red inflamed itchy and scaly skin associated with mild to moderate psoriasis causes are common in patient. However it has been clinically proven and FDA approved is the Skin Zinc system which consists of a cream and a spray. The good news is that turn food into energy. However there are a few common symptoms to look out for. These include dandruff poor wound healing sleep disturbances diarrhea hair loss loss of libido skin dryness rashes and reduced fertility. If you
suffering from a zinc deficiency in many of their patients with psoriasis there is something you can do about it: improve your diet and lifestyles have concluded that topical zinc pyrithione was highly effective in treating psoriasis cure is currently unavailable psoriasis belongs to a Good Diet and adding supplement. Treating psoriasis and induced a completed studies have changed dramatically. Unfortunately even if you take a high level of zinc only a small percentage of cases.
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The Dry Skin Of Psoriasis
Not all psoriasis patches appear dry or scaly. At times, large red patches may have no visible scales. However, the patches of psoriasis can build up from dead skin cells to the point of scaling and peeling.
Removal of large scales should not be forced. Gentle removal will prevent breaking the skin and causing bleeding.
Some psoriasis patches may build up a very thick, white layer of dead cells before shedding scales.
These Are The Most Common Psoriasis Symptoms:
The most common type of psoriasis is plaque psoriasis, per the Mayo Clinic. The symptoms of plaque psoriasis are most often found on the scalp, elbows, knees, lower back, and genitals and may include:
- Raised, red patches of skin
- A silvery white coating of dead skin cells on top of those patches
- Itchiness
- Pain
- Cracking skin and bleeding
There are other, less common forms of psoriasis. Guttate psoriasis, which often begins in childhood or young adulthood and can be triggered by a strep infection, appears as small, droplike lesions. Inverse psoriasis shows up as a smooth, shiny, red rash in body folds, such as under the arms or breasts. Pustular psoriasis, which can present on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, is characterized by noninfectious, pus-filled blisters, according to John Hopkins Medicine. The most severe, and rarest, type of psoriasis is erythrodermic psoriasis, which results in widespread, fiery redness over most of the body. It can cause severe itching and pain, and if you think youre having an erythrodermic psoriasis flare-up, you should seek medical attention immediately.
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Eczema Up And Down The Legs
Eczema on the legs may often occur in body creases, such as the back of the knee or the front of the ankle. These areas may trap sweat or irritants from clothing and the air.
Close contact of irritants with skin and areas of skin rubbing together create a perfect environment for atopic dermatitis to thrive.
If eczema on the backs of the knees isnt quickly or effectively treated, it can become very irritating and painful. Constant contact from clothing can cause significant bleeding, oozing, and infection.
What Is The Difference Between Eczema And Psoriasis
Both eczema and psoriasis are hereditary and ongoing skin conditions that cause irritated and inflamed skin. They are often mistaken for each other, but they are different diseases.
Eczema is the name for a group of conditions that cause inflamed, itchy, rash-like skin. While the exact cause of eczema is unclear, it is likely from an overactive immune system response. When you are exposed to an irritant or an allergen, your immune system switches on, creating inflammation and a skin reaction.
Some people with eczema don’t make a protein called filaggrin that builds your skin barrier. Without this protein, your skin loses moisture, and bacteria can get in, so people with eczema tend to have dry skin and skin infections.
There are seven different types of eczema, which include allergic reactions. People who have asthma and allergies are likely to have eczema, but other things can trigger symptoms. These include:
- Chemical irritants in cleaning and skincare products that touch your skin
- Fabrics like wool or polyester that irritate the skin
- Metals
Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin condition that causes your skin cells to regenerate too quickly. In healthy skin, keratinocyte cells die, shed, and renew themselves in 21 days. In psoriasis, your skin cells regenerate in seven days but don’t shed, leading to a buildup of skin cells that cause plaques or patches.
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Key Characteristics That Distinguish The Two Diseases
Similarly to eczema, psoriasis is a hereditary chronic inflammatory disease presenting as itchy red patches in alternating periods of flare-ups and remission. So, what makes psoriasis different?
Psoriasis causes the skin to regenerate too quickly
Unlike eczema, psoriasis is linked to accelerated skin regeneration. More specifically, keratinocyte cells regenerate in just 7 days . Plus, the normal maturation process of these cells is disrupted. This causes the skin to thicken around the patches and to peel more than usual.
Affected areas of the body
Psoriasis patches appear in different areas of the body than eczema patches. The areas most often affected by psoriasis are the elbows, the front of the knees, the upper buttocks, and the scalp. The fingernails and hands are often affected as well. Psoriasis may even cover the entire body.
There is a particular form of psoriasis that affects the skin folds, appearing mostly on the folds in the groin, underarms and the navel.
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Causes Of The Diseases
Eczema and psoriasis, while two distinct conditions, have something key in common. Both diseases, says Dr. Amy Paller, Professor of Dermatology and Pediatrics at the Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, involve the human immune system, just in different ways.
With psoriasis, the immune system is overactive in a manner that leads to the growth of too many new skin cells, too fast. These cells pile up on the surface of the skin, causing thick scales or plaques that can be dry, flaky and painful. Psoriasis can be triggered or worsened by stress, skin injury, cold/dry weather, medications or infections. Genetics also seem to play a role with psoriasis risks running in families.
While experts dont completely know what causes eczema, a combination of genes, immune system tendencies and triggers are believed to be involved. People with eczema tend to have overly-reactive immune systems that, when triggered by a substance outside or inside the body, respond by causing inflammation. Researchers have also found that some people with eczema have a mutation in a gene that plays an important role in the skin barrier leaving the skin more vulnerable to dryness, irritants and allergens . Similar to psoriasis, stress can also trigger eczema and family history can increase eczema risks.
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How Is Seborrheic Dermatitis Treated
Treatment may depend on the severity of your condition. Everyone responds differently to medication, so it may take a few tries to find the right solution for you.
For some people, dandruff clears up on its own. Over-the-counter shampoos and medication are usually enough to improve flaking and soothe itching. If not, ask your doctor about prescription-strength products.
In babies, cradle cap doesnt always require treatment. It generally resolves well before the first birthday. In the meantime, use a mild baby shampoo. Massage the scalp gently using a very soft brush. Be gentle breaking the skin can lead to infection. If youre concerned about your babys scalp, see their pediatrician.
Why Wont My Eczema Go Away
Theres no known cure for eczema, and the rashes wont simply go away if left untreated. For most people, eczema is a chronic condition that requires careful avoidance of triggers to help prevent flare-ups. Age is also thought to play a role: About 60 percent of people who have eczema developing it as infants.
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They May Present In Different Parts Of The Body
Both skin conditions can present anywhere on the body, but they each have more common areas where they can show up. For example, psoriasis often appears more commonly in areas like the scalp, face, elbows, knees, or buttocks, while eczema more often affects the skin on the inside of the elbows or back of the knees. In addition, although anyone can experience either condition at any age, eczema is more likely to affect children.
What Is Pustular Psoriasis
This type of psoriasis appears as small blisters surrounded by red skin and can be limited to certain areas of the body or cover most of the body. With this psoriasis type, the redness usually appears first, before the pustules and scaling develop. Its worth noting that these blisters associated with pustular psoriasis are filled with white blood cells and are not contagious.5
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What Are The Symptoms Of Psoriasis
Psoriasis affects about 8 million Americans, and like eczema, there are several types. The most common is called plaque psoriasis, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association , and symptoms include:
- Areas of thick, raised skin, which is referred to as plaques
- A dry layer covering the plaques that is silvery-white, called scale
- Itchiness
The plaques, which can be large or small, may appear anywhere on the body but are typically on the scalp, knees, elbows and lower back.
Psoriasis can affect other parts of the body, too, including the joints, causing the condition known as psoriatic arthritis. About 30% of people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis, Dr. Wang says. According to AAD, symptoms include:
- Swollen, tender joints, usually in the fingers or toes
- Heel pain
- Swelling in the back of your legs
- Stiffness
When To See A Doctor For Psoriasis Or Eczema
The National Psoriasis Foundation recommends that anyone living with psoriasis see a dermatologist. Its especially important to see a dermatologist if your psoriasis symptoms are getting worse, if you develop new symptoms, if your joints start to hurt, or if the treatment recommended by your primary care physician isnt working.
If you have eczema and your symptoms get worse or if you show signs of an infectionred, painful, oozing, or blistery skinthen its best to see a doctor as soon as possible. If youve seen a doctor already and the treatment plan they gave you isnt working, a dermatologist will be able to give you more specialized care.
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What Is Psoriasis Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment And Prevention
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes plaques, which are itchy or sore patches of thick, dry, discolored skin.
While any part of your body can be affected, psoriasis plaques most often develop on the elbows, knees, scalp, back, face, palms, and feet.
Like other autoinflammatory diseases, psoriasis occurs when your immune system which normally attacks infectious germs begins to attack healthy cells instead.
Causes And Risk Factors Of Psoriasis
Psoriasis, in general, is a genetic condition passed down through families. “It’s likely that multiple genes need to be affected to allow psoriasis to occur and that it’s frequently triggered by an external event, such as an infection,” says James W. Swan, MD, professor of dermatology at the Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine in Maywood, Illinois.
Certain risk factors, such as a family history or being obese, may increase your odds of developing psoriasis.
According to the National Psoriasis Foundation , at least 10 percent of people inherit genes that could lead to psoriasis, but only 3 percent or less actually develop the disease. For this reason, it is believed that the disease is caused by a combination of genetics and external factors or triggers.
A psoriasis outbreak may be provoked by:
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Clinical Significance Of Psoriasis
Physical Comorbidities
Psoriasis has been linked with a range of physical comorbidities including: psoriatic arthritis cardiovascular disease Crohns disease chronic obstructive pulmonary disease sleep disorders kidney disease metabolic syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease .
Psychosocial and Psychiatric Comorbidities
Risk factors for a variety of psychosocial and psychiatric comorbidities appear to be higher among patients with psoriasis compared with the general population . For example, individuals may become secludedprompting depressionwhen psoriatic lesions appear, thus treatment may promote an improvement in mood partly because of an improvement in psychodynamic issues . Additionally, stress can exacerbate psoriasis, which itself is a stress-inducing disease .
Medications used to treat comorbidities may also exacerbate psoriasis in patients, potentially leading to depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem . Management of psoriasis should, therefore, incorporate a strategy to address both physical and non-physical comorbidities .
Burden of Psoriasis
The burden of psoriasis spans physical, psychologic, and social aspects. At present, psoriasis is an incurable disease that is often diagnosed before patients are aged 30 years. Consequently, individuals may live most of their adult life with a chronic, debilitating, and potentially stigmatizing illness , which may not always be acknowledged by clinicians .