Difference Between Eczema And Psoriasis On Hands

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. It’s worth noting that these blisters associated with pustular psoriasis are filled with white blood cells and are not contagious.5

How Are Eczema And Psoriasis Treated

Because eczema is an inflammatory condition, it’s easier to treat than psoriasis. “Whereas, when someone develops an autoimmune condition like psoriasis, they are much more difficult to treat, and they cannot be reversed,” said Dr. Vojdani. “They can only be placed into remission.” But that doesn’t mean there’s no hope for those diagnosed with it.

“Both can be treated with topical steroids like triamcinolone or clobetasol,” said Dr. Bhanusali. “If systemic symptoms occur, which is more common in psoriasis, we can add biologic medications.” This is an advanced medication or injection that interrupts the immune system’s natural response.

There are additional ways to manage psoriasis and eczema at home. This includes avoiding known triggers as much as possible, moisturizing the skin regularly, using a humidifier to keep the air in your home from getting too dry, and avoiding hot water showers or baths. Many people also find success in switching to fragrance-free, sensitive skin-safe products formulated with ingredients like ceramides. When flare-ups do occur, over-the-counter hydrocortisone can be used to alleviate irritation and itchiness.

“In the functional medicine space, we put patients on anti-inflammatory diets like a paleo diet and also reduce the consumption of high histamine-containing foods and support the gut environment with probiotics,” said Dr. Vojdani.

Difference Between Eczema And Psoriasis

Both eczema and psoriasis involve skin inflammation which can be fairly noticeable. Because of this, many people tend to confuse the two skin conditions, but in reality they are completely different. Here are some of the major differences between psoriasis and eczema.

Difference Between Eczema and Psoriasis

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Eczema Vs Psoriasis: Whats Causing My Itchy Skin

If you or a loved one has patches of red, dry and itchy skin that may even come and go, you may be wondering is it eczema or psoriasis? Or are these two conditions the same thing? Theyre not. Eczema and psoriasis are two distinct skin diseases that may require different treatment plans. Thats why its important to speak to your healthcare provider to get the right diagnosis.

While they may be difficult to tell apart, a dermatologist can spot the differences between these two non-contagious and common skin conditions:

• Plaque psoriasis, the most common type of psoriasis, causes well-defined, thick, silvery-white scaly patches, commonly found on areas like the elbows, knees, the scalp and lower back.
• Atopic dermatitis, the most common form of eczema, may look slightly different in children and adults. Eczema is typically very itchy in all who are affected. In children, it appears as a dry or scaly, red rash, often in the creases of the elbows or knees. Adults tend to have patches of thicker or more chronic scaly skin rashes in similar areas as children, but are most noticeable on the face or hands.

Could It Be Eczema

Eczema is a skin rash from a reaction or allergy. The condition is mainly present in young children. However, older persons can develop the condition. With eczema, the reaction is the bodys immune system attacking the skin. This causes inflammation in areas like the wrists, elbows, knees, and face. More severe cases show up on the hands and feet. Environmental occurrences like pollen, metals, and even stress cause these flareups.

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Acne: Blocked Pores That Lead To Pimples

Some forms of psoriasis appear as pus-filled blisters that may be confused with pimples. Pustular psoriasis forms white blisters that are filled with pus and surrounded by red skin. Far more common than psoriasis, acne also causes a pus-filled pimple eruption. However unlike psoriasis acne is caused by excess oil, blocked pores, and bacteria. Acne is common in teens and young adults and occurs on the face, neck, back, or chest. Pustular psoriasis is usually seen in adults and can occur anywhere on the body, but less likely on the face.

Psoriasis On The Face

Although psoriasis most commonly occurs on the knees and elbows, it may occur anywhere. This includes the face, scalp, and neck.

With treatment, psoriasis on the face and scalp often resolves, but it may recur.

In many cases, scalp psoriasis extends onto the forehead, ears, or neck. It can be difficult to treat, especially when hair gets in the way.

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How Psoriasis Is Diagnosed

A GP can often diagnose psoriasis based on the appearance of your skin.

In rare cases, a small sample of skin called a biopsy will be sent to the laboratory for examination under a microscope.

This determines the exact type of psoriasis and rules out other skin disorders, such as seborrhoeic dermatitis, lichen planus, lichen simplex and pityriasis rosea.

You may be referred to a specialist in diagnosing and treating skin conditions if your doctor is uncertain about your diagnosis, or if your condition is severe.

If your doctor suspects you have psoriatic arthritis, which is sometimes a complication of psoriasis, you may be referred to a doctor who specialises in arthritis .

You may have blood tests to rule out other conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, and X-rays of the affected joints may be taken.

The Different Types Of Eczema Include:

Atopic dermatitis if your primary care physician, allergist or dermatologist mentions atopic dermatitis, you have eczema the most common form. Atopic dermatitis affects over 16 million people in the United States. To come to this conclusion, a physician looks at the following:

• Atopic triad this means patients have two other allergy-related conditions associated with atopic dermatitis. The most common ones include asthma or allergic rhinitis, known as hay fever.
• Genetics a genetic link exists. That does not automatically mean all family members have atopic dermatitis. It means immediate family members likely have asthma and allergies.
• Age while atopic dermatitis often affects babies, toddlers, and children, this is not always the case. When diagnosed as a child, this type of eczema usually improves over time. Babies often develop eczema on their scalps and cheeks, but it may form anywhere. Adults often develop atopic dermatitis on their arms, hands, elbows, the back of the knees and neck.
• Response to irritants and pollutants environmental triggers and pollutants also contribute to atopic eczema.
• Symptoms beyond dry skin Along with dry skin, patients may develop red or brownish-gray spots. These may appear on the skins surface or underneath. When severe, the bumps may leak fluid. Sufferers often experience intense bouts of itching.

Symptoms include:

• Localized red, dry and itchy skin on your hands.
• Hands that blister or crack.

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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.

What Causes Psoriasis Vs Eczema

These two skin problems have different causes and can appear in different stages of your life. Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that affects about 7.5 million Americans, according to the AAD. It happens when the skin cells go through their life cycle more quickly than normal. 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.

Psoriasis typically strikes when someone is between the ages of 15 and 35, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, but it can affect anyone at any age. What we do know is that psoriasis is immune-mediated, meaning there is some imbalance in the immune system, which leads to inflamed skin, dermatologist and National Psoriasis Foundation medical board member Jashin Wu, M.D., tells SELF. It tends to run in families, but there may not be straightforward patterns of inheritance. One well-known trigger is strep throat infections, but not all new cases of psoriasis result from strep throat.

Eczema is much more common than psoriasis. According to the most recent estimate available, more than 30 million Americans have some form of eczema.

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What Medications Are Used To Treat Psoriasis And Eczema

There are many ways to treat psoriasis and eczema. In fact, some of the same treatments are used for both conditions.

Topical treatments

Topical treatments are ones that you apply directly to the skin, like creams, gels, and ointments. Some topical treatments are available over the counter, while others need a prescription.

Corticosteroids are the most common topical treatments for both psoriasis and eczema. They reduce inflammation, which helps with redness and itching. They come in different strengths, ranging from weaker to very strong .

Other topical medication options for psoriasis include:

• Calcipotriene: helps to reduce inflammation, is chemically related to vitamin D, and is available in combination with a steroid in the medication betamethasone/calcipotriene

• Calcitriol: helps to slow down skin cell growth and is also related to vitamin D

• Tazarotene: helps to slow down skin cell growth and is chemically similar to vitamin A

• Zithranol: helps to slow down skin cell growth and is available as a cream or shampoo

These are other topical medication options for eczema:

• Tacrolimus andpimecrolimus: help reduce immune system activity, while not carrying the same risk of side effects that steroids have

• Eucrisa: blocks a specific protein that causes inflammation in atopic dermatitis

Stronger treatments

People with more severe eczema and psoriasis may need stronger treatments that work throughout the body. These are usually given as an oral pill or shot.

Why Is Eczema Confused With Psoriasis

Mistaking eczema for psoriasis is common, as both are inflammatory skin conditions and are similar in appearance. The two not only share similar symptoms, but they frequently develop in the same areas of the body, such as the scalp or hands.

While those are two of the more common sites for flare-ups, both conditions can form anywhere on the body. They also share some common triggers, including cold, dry air and allergens in the environment.

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Symptoms Of Psoriasis Vs Symptoms Of Eczema: What Do Psoriasis And Eczema Look Like

Eczema causes reddish skin and inflammation. The skin may become scaly with oozing blisters, or crusty skin. You can note rough patches like that of leather on the skin. These patches may become swollen.

Psoriasis may also have certain similar symptoms. Psoriasis may also cause red patches. They may also be scaly, sometimes silvery too. But, these patches caused due to psoriasis are slightly raised higher on the skin. The skin with psoriasis is thicker and more inflamed than that of eczema.

Though Psoriasis And Eczema Are Different Conditions Treatment For The Two Is Often Similar

While theres no cure for either condition, they can be treated. If youre diagnosed with psoriasis or eczema, your doctor may recommend:

• Over-the-counter moisturizers
• Topical medications to reduce inflammation, like corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, and retinoids
• Oral steroids, like prednisone, which can help calm a severe case when used for a short period of time
• Wet dressings, which involve wrapping the area with a wet bandage to soothe the itchiness

Although psoriasis and eczema are both frustrating, irritating conditions, they shouldnt be life-ruiners. If youre struggling with managing your psoriasis or eczema, see a dermatologist, who can help determine the best treatment plan for you.

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Identifying Eczema And Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease, typically characterised by raised itchy skin plaques. These plaques are usually red, itchy, and covered with thick, silvery scales.

Psoriasis is most commonly found on your knees, elbows and scalp, but it can also affect your nails and legs.

In this skin condition, the life cycle of your skin cells speeds up. This builds up dead cells on the surface of your epidermis, causing red, inflamed and flaky patches of skin.

Eczema is also a chronic, non-contagious, inflammatory skin condition characterized by intense itching. Eczema can cause red, inflamed, or cracked skin. This may be accompanied by hay fever or asthma.

Eczema affects your skins ability to protect it from bacteria and allergens. This leads your skin to respond more forcibly to certain triggers such as dust, skin care products, detergents, animals etc.

What Is The Difference Between Eczema And Psoriasis

Have you ever wonders what could be the difference between eczema and psoriasis? The main reason why psoriasis and eczema are confused is because they have a common resemblance. Both conditionals are characterized by inflamed, red rashes on the skin. The rashes tend to be dry, scaly and itchy.

The two conditions tend to be similar because of the places they affect the body. Both disorders can occur on your feet, elbow, neck, and knees.

How psoriasis and eczema differ

The two conditions have similar location and appearances, but there are still lots of distinctions between them that can help you find out what is affecting your skin.

Image @ wikipedia.org psoriasis on back

Cause

Scientists believe that both conditions result from the malfunctioning of the immune system. Although the cause of immune malfunction in dermatitis or eczema is not understood, doctors know the pathology of the immune cells that cause psoriasis.

In psoriasis, T-cells attack the patients skin, resulting in a chain of reactions that dilates blood vessels. This results in increased production of skin cells that move to quickly to the surface of the skin, leading to a pile of scaly-looking cells.

Different types

There are many various types of eczema, including atopic dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, varicose eczema, Adult seborrhoeic eczema, discoid eczema and eczema herpeticum.

Image @ wikipedia.org psoriasis of the palms

Treatment options

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Exploring The Treatment Options

Eczema and psoriasis are both long-term conditions that require long-term treatments. Treatment may depend on the severity of symptoms as well as the size and location of the affected area of skin. Common treatments include topical anti-inflammatories, hydrating skin creams, phototherapy, and biologic or systemic drugs to control the bodys inflammatory and immune responses.

In addition to discussing treatment options with your doctor, its important to avoid factors that may trigger or worsen your symptoms. Eczema may be worsened by wetness or allergies as well as certain cleansers, soaps, and detergents. Psoriasis flare-ups are more likely to follow injuries to the skin and can also be brought about by stress or infection.

The first step in resolving your skin issues is to talk to your doctor to receive a diagnosis. Though both eczema and psoriasis can be chronic, finding the right treatment may help relieve symptoms and reduce flare-ups.

There Can Be Overlap Between Eczema And Psoriasis

• Still in some children, its hard to tell the difference. In this case, a dermatologist might diagnose the child with psoriasiform dermatitis.

• Sometimes, a child has both eczema and psoriasis, so there can be some overlap.

• A dermatologist, however, will generally be able to differentiate between these two relatively common skin disorders.

All content solely developed by the American Academy of Dermatology

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Psoriasis Vs Eczema: What’s The Difference

Eczema and psoriasis are two common skin conditions that are often mistaken for each other. This is due to the fact that their symptoms may seem the same on the surface. This includes: painful and itchy rashes, flaking skin, and dry skin. However, it is crucial to understand the differences between psoriasis and eczema in order to develop the best treatment plan for yourself or a loved one.

DIFFERENCE: Psoriasis and Eczema Have Different Root Causes

The mechanism of action that causes psoriasis is relatively straightforward: psoriasis is caused by an overactive immune system that causes excessive skin cell reproduction. WIth psoriasis, you can have up to ten times as many skin cells as a normal person in the affected areas of the skin. The mechanism of action of eczema is a bit more nuanced. It can be caused by an allergic reaction or from coming in contact with something you are allergic to , along with 4 different types of eczema . Eczema typically develops in conjunction with other allergies whereas psoriasis typically develops from physical trauma, such as sunburn or injuries.

SIMILARITY: Psoriasis and Eczema are Both Chronic

Both conditions dont simply go away and theres no cure for either psoriasis or eczema. This doesnt mean all hope is lost though. With a proper treatment plan and lifestyle, you can live full lives with psoriasis or eczema. Flare-ups can become so infrequent that you essentially are no longer burdened by them.