Eczema In Inconvenient Places
Eczema can occur in many inconvenient places especially for infants. Diapers and baby creams may irritate sensitive skin, causing extreme diaper rashes. In some cases, the eczema covers the entire area that comes into contact with a diaper.
Hypersensitivity to the material of a diaper or the creams used in washing the area can aggravate skin. Switching to soft cotton diapers or using a different cleanser may help ease eczema in the genital area for infants.
Adults with eczema in sensitive areas may need to change laundry detergents, cleansers, and fabrics.
Similarities Between Eczema And Psoriasis
Eczema and Psoriasis are similar in appearance. Both can lead to rashes, red and itchy skin. They can appear in the same places of the body, such as the hands and scalp. You may find it difficult to distinguish between these two skin conditions. Hence, you must talk to a dermatologist about getting the right diagnosis and treatment. Self-diagnosis can further aggravate the condition.
A Life With Psoriasis
Although psoriasis comes and goes over time, its a lifelong condition. A lack of public understanding about psoriasis causes many people with this condition to feel isolated and ostracized.
But most people with psoriasis lead fulfilling, active lives. Here are some tips you can try to avoid psoriasis triggers.
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Nail Eczema Vs Nail Psoriasis
Nail eczema and nail psoriasis are similar in that having eczema or psoriasis elsewhere on the body is usually a precursor. Both conditions can cause pitting in the nails, but nail psoriasis also causes lifting and white discoloration in the nails. While nail eczema can appear at any age, nail psoriasis typically shows up in older adults.
The main symptoms of nail eczema include:
- Longstanding eczema elsewhere on the body
- Hand or foot eczema rash
- Ridged nails presenting as lines across the length or width of the nail
- Nail pitting, where there are tiny dents in fingernails or toenails
- Wavy nails
- Soft nails
- Nail shedding
A 2019 study looked at the nails of 235 patients aged 2 to 19 with eczema. Of the group, 10% of people had nail abnormalities. The most common nail changes found were grooved nails , nail pitting , and koilonychia, which refers to thin or concave nails .
Eczema Can Look Like Psoriasis And Vice Versa
Now that you have the differences between eczema and psoriasis clearly in mind, its time to stir up the waters. Especially in the early stages of disease, eczema and psoriasis can resemble each other. In fact, if you go to a physician who isnt a dermatologist, you might actually get a misdiagnosis. Dermatologists, however, are highly trained in identifying and treating skin conditions. To the dermatology experts at Specialists in Dermatology, the differences in eczema and psoriasis are easy to identify through a simple visual examination. We may also biopsy your skin and look at it under a microscope to confirm the diagnosis.
Because eczema is an inflammatory disorder and psoriasis is an autoimmune disease, the treatments for each condition may be different, depending on the severity of your case. You may be able to control mild eczema by avoiding allergic triggers and keeping your skin moist. If you have psoriasis, you may need intravenous therapies or biologics.
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How Is Each Treated
Eczema treatment depends on how severe it is. For mild to moderate cases, youâll use a topical corticosteroid to control inflammation, and youâll use an emollient on your skin. This type of moisturizer has an oil or cream base, not a water base, like lotion, which could dry your skin out more.
If you have moderate to severe eczema, you may need to try a medicine that affects your immune system like , methotrexate, azathioprine, or cyclosporine. If nothing else works, your doctor may prescribe a biologic drug called dupilumab . You might also try light therapy using ultraviolet light.
Psoriasis treatment is either systemic, which means it affects your entire body, or topical, which goes on your skin. If your disease is limited, or mild, you may be able to control it with topical corticosteroids and emollients.
Light therapy paired with methotrexate, cyclosporine, acretin, or a biologic is also an option for more severe cases. Or you could use just a biologic drug, which includes:
How Is Psoriasis Treated
Corticosteroids are often used to treat psoriasis. If the scalp is affected, there are treatment shampoos. Excessive skin cells can be removed with salicylic acid, lactic acid, or urea. Your dermatologist will recommend the best treatment for your psoriasis.
Psoriasis and Eczema are frequently confused skin conditions, but they are not related to each other. If you have any skin rash, schedule a consultation at Park Avenue Dermatology to get the proper treatment regimen for you.
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Psoriasis And Eczema Start At Different Ages
Eczema usually starts in babies or young children. Often, symptoms improve as the child with eczema grows up. If you have a relative with eczema you are at greater of inheriting the condition.
It’s less common, but possible, to get eczema as an adult. When that happens, it’s usually because there is a related condition such as thyroid disease, hormone changes, or stress.
Psoriasis more commonly shows up between ages 15 and 35. People can get psoriasis when they are older, commonly after 50 as well. It’s rare for a baby to have it. Psoriasis is also a genetic condition. So, it is more likely to show up in people who have a relative with psoriasis.
What Is Nail Eczema
Eczema is a common skin disease affecting about 32 million Americans. It’s also called atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis is only one of the multiple types of eczema.
Eczema is characterized by red, itchy skin, and can spread from one part of the body to another. Usually, someone with fingernail or toenail eczema has eczema elsewhere on their body. When eczema affects the hands and feet, it’s called pompholyx eczema.
Hand eczema is common, and fingernail changes are more common than toenail changes. Pompholyx eczema can affect the nail folds and skin around the nails , resulting in swelling. Nail eczema can cause pitting in the nails , and requires treatment to avoid worsening of the condition.
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What Are The Key Differences
Cause. Psoriasis is an immune-mediated condition, meaning your immune system becomes overactive. In this case, certain inflammatory cells cause the body to make new skin cells too fast. These cells pile up on the surface of the skin, leading to thick, scaly patches that are often itchy and painful.
While experts do not know the exact cause of eczema, they think its a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Similar to psoriasis, there is also inflammation in the skin, and this may be related to an irritant or an allergen that triggers the immune system, or may cause an eczema flare-up.
Age. Eczema is most common in babies and children. Psoriasis often starts between the ages of 15 and 35. However, people of all ages can experience these conditions.
Itch. Another key difference between these conditions is the intensity of itching, particularly at night and in children. With psoriasis, the itching may be absent or mild to moderate. But for eczema, it is common, can be intense and can affect sleep.
Are Psoriasis And Eczema Related
Psoriasis and eczema are both responsible for causing itchy skin in many people. Over 30 million Americans have eczema, and it is estimated that 7 million Americans have psoriasis.
Dermatologists at Park Avenue Dermatology treat patients with eczema and those with psoriasis. It is important to have a diagnosis from a healthcare specialist, so if you have a skin disorder, contact your dermatologist for an appointment.
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When Symptoms Generally Begin
While anyone at any age can develop eczema or psoriasis, the conditions generally begin to manifest at different times. With eczema, more than half of all cases are diagnosed before 12 months of age, with most of the rest of the cases developing by age 10. Psoriasis, on the other hand, is generally diagnosed between ages 15-25.
Psoriasis Vs Eczema: Triggers
In both psoriasis and eczema, certain triggers can bring on a flare. While emotional stress is believed to trigger or worsen both psoriasis and eczema, other triggers are more specific to each condition.
Since eczema is a hypersensitivity, environmental factors can cause a flare. According to the NEA, common eczema triggers include:
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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.
Identifying Eczema Vs Psoriasis On The Face
According to Dr. Camp, when psoriasis affects the face it often appears on the hairline, in or behind the ear, or on the scalp. Though, it can also occur on the eyebrows and the skin surrounding the nose. The patches or plaques are often well defined with sharp borders, he adds. On the face, psoriasis sometimes occurs in association with seborrheic dermatitis, a common skin condition that can also cause red or pink scaly patches.
Conversely, he says that eczema on the face is more common on the eyelid skin or around the mouth, often as a result of a contact dermatitis. Prolonged eczema around the eyes can make the skin look wrinkled and discolored, a phenomenon sometimes referred to as ‘allergic shiners.’
Given the similarities, Garshick admits that it can be especially challenging to distinguish between eczema and psoriasis on the face. That said, she points out that the biggest hints are that eczema favors the area or around the eyes and mouth, while psoriasis favors the forehead, extending from the brows to the hairline, sometimes covering everything in between.
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When Do Psoriasis And Eczema Usually Appear
Psoriasis usually appears between the ages of 16 and 22, but it can happen at any age.
Eczema usually begins younger, appearing as early as 6 months of age. Although some people grow out of eczema, many people continue to have it throughout their life. Even if you have eczema for a long time, there may be periods when it gets better or worse.
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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Treating Psoriasis And Eczema
Treatment for psoriasis usually starts with the prescription of topical corticosteroid creams. If these do not bring about significant improvement, doctors may recommend light therapy treatment. Oral medication is typically the last resort.
Topical corticosteroids are also used to treat eczema. In some case, over-the-counter creams are enough to clear up the condition. If not, antibiotic creams or prescribed oral medications may be effective. Barrier creams may also be used to protect affected skin from irritants and infections by allowing it to heal.
Still Unsure Time For Some Help
Most persons will have difficulty discerning the condition. The best bet is to visit a dermatologist. Dermatologists can perform different tests to diagnose the condition clearly. There are no cures for either eczema and psoriasis. Rest assured, the doctor will provide the right medication and advice for the right disease.
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Age And Occurrence Of Each Condition
At What Age Do Psoriasis Appear?
Psoriasis typically occurs between the ages of 15 and 35. However, it is also available at other ages. It is extremely uncommon for a baby to have it.
At What Age Do Eczema Appear?
Eczema normally appears in infants or young children. Sometimes, signs change as a child matures.Adults are less likely to contract it, although it is possible. As this occurs, it is often due to another disorder, such as thyroid disease, hormonal changes, or stress.
Seeking The Right Treatment
Unfortunately, there are currently no cures for these skin conditions, and many people have to manage their symptoms over a lifetime. Depending on several factors, including your age and severity of your condition, your doctor will develop a treatment plan that includes a combination of medicine, avoiding triggers, and having a good skin care regimen and healthy lifestyle. Its important to get the right diagnosis with a doctor who specializes in these conditions, such as a dermatologist, and to develop a treatment plan thats tailored to your specific needs.
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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
Psoriasis Vs Eczema: Complications
Any condition that impacts the skin barrier increases the chance of infection. This can happen with either psoriasis or eczema but tends to be more common in eczema. In eczema, people are scratching more, so it’s common to see the skin superficially infected, says Khetarpal.
Psoriasis can also lead to more serious complications. About 30 percent of people with psoriasis will develop psoriatic arthritis, a chronic, inflammatory disease of the joints, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation .
People with psoriasis are also 1.5 to 2 times more likely to develop heart disease than people without the skin condition, says the NPF. Psoriasis is not just inflammation of the skin it causes systemic inflammation and can put you at higher risk for cardiovascular conditions, such as heart attack and stroke, explains Khetarpal.
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At What Age Do They Start
Eczema usually starts in babies or young children. Often, symptoms improve when a kid becomes a grown-up.
It’s less common, but possible, to get it as an adult. When that happens, it’s usually because you have another condition like thyroid disease, hormone changes, or stress.
Psoriasis, on the other hand, usually shows up between ages 15 and 35. But you can get it at other ages too. It’s rare for a baby to have it.
Typical Onset For Psoriasis
While psoriasis can occur at any age, Garshick says that the average age of onset can occur at two different peaks, either 15-35 years or at 55-60 years old. Gmyrek adds to this, noting that, while rare, about 10 to 15 percent of psoriasis cases occur before the age of 10.
Whats more, Gmyrek points out that psoriasis tends to run in families, though, exactly whats passed down is not clear.
Additionally, she says that, unlike some skin conditions, men and women develop psoriasis at similar rates, and its seen across all racial groups. Caucasians develop psoriasis at a rate of about 3.6 percent compared with African-Americans who develop psoriasis at a rate of 1.9 percent, she adds.
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How Can You Ease Your Symptoms
Dr. Fernandez recommends using a moisturizing cream or ointment if you have either eczema or psoriasis. Keeping your skin moist is helpful because youre more likely to itch if your skin is dry.
Your skin can also benefit from these general health tips:
- Drink alcohol only in moderation.
- Eat a healthy diet.
- Drink more water.
- Get plenty of exercise.
There is no cure for psoriasis and multiple types of eczema, including atopic dermatitis. But you can help limit the symptoms by getting proper treatment and taking good care of your skin, Dr. Fernandez says.
More Than A Dry Spell
Read Time: 3 minutes
For some, dry skin can be caused by harsh weather, soaps, or even water. This is nothing a little moisturizer cant fix. But for others, dry skin could be the result of a more severe condition. Eczema and psoriasis are the main culprits. Each condition has specific characteristics and needs special care. So how can one tell the difference?
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