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How Are Eczema And Psoriasis Difference

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What’s the Difference Between Eczema and Psoriasis?

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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How Is Psoriasis Diagnosed

Doctors usually diagnose psoriasis by examining the skin, scalp, and nails. They’ll 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 it’s psoriasis or another condition with similar symptoms.

What Causes Psoriasis And Eczema

Causes of psoriasis

We dont know the exact cause of psoriasis, but we do know that its a type of autoimmune disease, meaning that an overactive immune system is involved. The main symptom of psoriasis is thick skin plaques, caused by skin growing too quickly.

Your genes and family history can play a role in whether or not you develop psoriasis. About 40% of people with psoriasis have a family member with psoriasis. And if one parent has psoriasis, a child has about a 30% chance of having it.

Then, there are triggers that can worsen psoriasis symptoms. While each person is different, common triggers for psoriasis include stress and certain infections, like strep throat. Some medications can also act like triggers. Examples include lithium, propranolol , and hydroxychloroquine .

Causes of eczema

The word eczema actually refers to a group of skin conditions that can cause your skin to become red and itchy. Common types of eczema include atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and contact dermatitis.

Often, when people talk about eczema, theyre referring to atopic dermatitis, the most common type of eczema. In fact, over 18 million Americans have atopic dermatitis, 13% of which are children. For this article, well stick to talking about atopic dermatitis.

Like psoriasis, eczema can worsen with triggers. These can include dry skin, stress, and different irritants, like wool and perfumes. Everyday allergens like pollen and dust mites can also be triggers.

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Should You Treat Yourself

You may think its just a rash and that you can put some antibiotic cream on it and call it all good. However, if you are having a reaction to an allergen or something in your environment, you may not get any relief until a dermatologist or allergist helps you identify the source.

If you have a rash that is painful, oozing, hasnt improved in a few days, or is getting worse, you should see a dermatologist to find out what it is and the best course of treatment. Eczema and psoriasis both may go through periods of dormancy and suddenly reappear. If you have a plan in place with your doctor, you will know how to treat your breakout without making it worse through guessing and self-treatment.

There are some things you can do at home that will help control these two skin conditions:

  • Use moisturizers daily

Learning The Differences Between Eczema And Psoriasis

Difference between eczema and psoriasis
  • Psoriasis causes well-defined, thick, red, scaly patches, commonly in areas like the elbows and knees. It is common to see psoriasis on the face, buttocks, and scalp of a child. Youll also commonly see thick patches of skin with overlying redness.

  • Eczema tends to appear in the crooks of the knees and the elbows.

  • Children who have psoriasis tend to have mild itching. In eczema, the itching can be intense.

  • There are many ways for a dermatologist to tell the difference between eczema and psoriasis, including what one sees on the skin, the amount of itch, and where the disease appears on the skin.

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Is Psoriasis The Same As Eczema

Psoriasis and eczema are two different skin conditions. They differ in where the disease appears on the body, how much it itches and how it looks. Eczema tends to appear more often behind the knees and inside the elbows. Eczema also causes more intense itching than psoriasis. Many people, especially children, can get both eczema and psoriasis.

How Psoriasis And Eczema Feel

Psoriasis may be itchy or even sting like a burn. Affected thick patches of skin often feel dry, cracked, and scaly.

Psoriasis is a systemic inflammatory illness that can also cause stiffness and swelling in the joints and surrounding tissue. This is called psoriatic arthritis or PsA. People who have PsA may also experience severe pain and fatigue as part of their overall psoriatic condition.

Eczema is actually the umbrella term for seven different types of itchy skin conditions. Eczema is often even itchier than psoriasis. In some cases, people with eczema scratch their skin so much it bleeds. It can also ooze and crust. The inflamed patches might become swollen or feel rough and leathery.

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What Are The Types Of Psoriasis

In children, common types of psoriasis include:

Plaque psoriasis. This is the most common type of psoriasis. It causes plaques and silvery scales, usually on the knees, elbows, lower back, and scalp. They can be itchy and painful and may crack and bleed.

Guttate psoriasis. This type often shows up after an illness, especially strep throat. It causes small red spots, usually on the trunk, arms, and legs. Spots also can appear on the face, scalp, and ears.

Inverse psoriasis. This causes smooth, raw-looking patches of red skin that feel sore. The patches develop in places where skin touches skin, such as the armpits, buttocks, upper eyelids, groin and genitals, or under a woman’s breasts.

Treatments For Psoriasis Include:

The Difference Between PSORIASIS ECZEMA
  • Corticosteroids
  • Anthralin, coal tar, salicylic acid, Vitamin D cream and topical retinoids
  • Light therapy/phototherapy
  • Antihistamine creams or tablets, such as Diphenhydramine
  • Antibiotic creams
  • Avoiding extremely hot temperatures â particularly hot baths or showers
  • Moisturising the skin

Diet can also potentially play a part in both conditions, seeing as theyâre both inflammatory skin conditions. Eating certain anti-inflammatory food, such as these, can potentially help calm the skin:

  • Fruit and vegetables – especially berries, cherries and leafy greens
  • Oily fish – salmon, sardines, and other fish rich in Omega 3 fatty acids
  • Antioxidant-rich herbs and spices â such as thyme, sage, cumin and ginger
  • Healthy sources of fat â such as olive oil, seeds, and nuts

We hope that by reading this psoriasis vs eczema article, youâre now a bit clearer on the difference between eczema and psoriasis? While there are parallels between the two, there are also lots of differentiators that are possible to identify the first step is knowing that they exist.

23 July 2020

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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.

What Causes Psoriasis Outbreaks

Psoriasis outbreaks differ from person to person. No one knows exactly what causes flare-ups. Common psoriasis triggers may include:

  • Skin injury .
  • Streptococcal or other infection that affects the immune system.
  • Certain prescription medications .
  • Cold weather, when people have less exposure to sunlight and humidity and more to hot, dry indoor air.

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Treatment Of Psoriasis Vs Eczema

Both psoriasis and eczema are treated by modulating the immune system. Topical corticosteroids are commonly used to treat both conditions since both lead to inflammation of the skin. The effects of topical medications are mostly limited to the skin.

Keeping skin moisturized can help control eczema. In severe cases of eczema, it may be necessary to take systemic oral medications such as Methotrexate or Mycophenolate mofetil. More recently, the biologic Dupixent has been developed. Itâs an injection given twice each month to control the inflammation.

Since psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease that can cause systemic symptoms and progressive joint damage, it is important to calm the immune system throughout the body to control inflammation and reduce autoimmune attacks on the skin and joints. Systemic treatment options for psoriasis include immunomodulators, such as Methotrexate, and newer biologic drugs, such as Enbrel , Humira , and Stelara , which are injected into the skin. There are more than 10 biologic medications that target the pathways associated with psoriasis. Phototherapy, or light therapy, may also be helpful in some cases of psoriasis. Read more about psoriasis treatments.

Condition Guide

FAQs

Whatâs the difference between hives and psoriasis or eczema?

Is there an eczema and psoriasis cream?

There are several topical medications, such as lotions, creams, and ointments, that may be prescribed for either eczema or psoriasis.

At What Age Do They Start

What are the differences between eczema and psoriasis ...

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.

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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 Is The Difference Between Psoriasis And Eczema

A lot of people dont know the difference between psoriasis and eczema and often confuse the two when they see someone with one of the conditions. While they may appear similar, its important to understand the differences because they have different causes, symptoms, and treatments. Dermatologists are the medical experts who specialize in differentiating between the two.

Lets take a look at the similarities and differences between the two conditions.

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What Does Psoriasis Look Like

Red or silvery scales on the skin are typical features that distinguish psoriasis from atopic dermatitis. The most common type, plaque psoriasis, begins as small red round bumps that grow larger and form a scale. Scratching can pull the scales off the skin and result in bleeding.

Psoriatic rash or patches can erupt anywhere on the skin, sometimes all over the body . However, the common areas are as follows:

Which Itch Is Your Itch

Difference between Eczema and Psoriasis

The best way to tell for sure if you have eczema or psoriasis is to get a diagnosis from our experts. Their years of training and clinical experience, plus the diagnostic tools we have on-site at our offices, means that you get an accurate diagnosis, so you can proceed with the most effective treatments available.

To find out whether you have psoriasis, eczema, or need to treat a different kind of itch, contact us today by calling your nearest office or using the online form.

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What Causes Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an immune system problem. Your immune response overreacts, causing inflammation, which leads to new skin cells growing too fast.

Typically, new skin cells grow every 28 to 30 days. But in people with psoriasis, new cells grow and move to the skin surface every three to four days. The buildup of new cells replacing old cells creates the silvery scales of psoriasis.

Psoriasis runs in families. There may be a genetic component. Parents may pass it down to their children.

When Did It Start

One factor that helps a dermatologist tell the difference in psoriasis, eczema is determining the age of people at the onset of the skin condition. Eczema normally appears in infants and continues through adulthood. On the other hand, psoriasis typically appears in the late teens to early twenties but can appear in children.

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How Is Psoriasis Treated

Psoriasis is usually treated by a dermatologist . A rheumatologist may also help with treatment. Treatments can include:

  • ultraviolet light from the sun or from home or office treatments. But in some children, sunlight can make psoriasis worse.
  • creams, lotions, ointments, and shampoos such as moisturizers, corticosteroids, vitamin D creams, and shampoos made with salicylic acid or coal tar
  • medicines taken by mouth or injected medicines

A doctor might try one therapy and then switch to another, or recommend combining treatments. It’s not always easy to find a therapy that works, and sometimes what works for a time stops helping after a while.

The Dry Skin Of Eczema

The Difference Between Eczema and Psoriasis

Eczema frequently includes very dry patches of skin. These can make skin so fragile that it cracks very easily.

The peeling of eczema may resemble that of a sunburn or a peeling blister or callus.

In some cases, the skin may peel without causing raw skin or open wounds. In others, peeling skin reveals broken skin or open blisters. These should be carefully treated to avoid introducing a bacterial or viral infection.

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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 Does Atopic Dermatitis Look Like

Atopic dermatitis can cause itchy skin with small, red bumps, or red to brownish-gray patches/rash. Itching is often more common and severe than in psoriasis. Scratching can cause the bumps to ooze fluid and crust over.

The condition often begins during childhood and can continue up to adulthood.

Common sites of rash are the cheeks, inside of the elbows, behind the knees, and over the neck.

A person with atopic dermatitis is also more likely to have asthma or hay fever. Moreover, a family history of hay fever or asthma puts the person at higher risk of atopic dermatitis.

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What Are Other Types Of Psoriasis

Plaque psoriasis is the most common type. About 80% to 90% of people with psoriasis have plaque psoriasis.

Other, less common types of psoriasis include:

  • Inverse psoriasis appears in skin folds. It may look like thin pink plaques without scale.
  • Guttate psoriasis may appear after a sore throat caused by a streptococcal infection. It looks like small, red, drop-shaped scaly spots in children and young adults.
  • Pustular psoriasis has small, pus-filled bumps on top of the red patches or plaques.
  • Sebopsoriasis typically appears on the face and scalp as red bumps and plaques with greasy yellow scale. This type is a cross between psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis.

Psoriasis On The Face

Psoriasis vs Eczema

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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Where Did It Appear

Eczema and psoriasis both can appear on any part of the body. However, both conditions have areas where breakouts are predominant.

Eczema breakouts tend to appear on the areas of the body that bend like behind the knees and inside elbows. It can also be on your ankles, wrist, and neck. Babies may have it nearly anywhere on their bodies.

Psoriasis may also appear all over the body however, there are areas where it tends to appear that eczema doesnt, including:

  • Soles of the feet and palms of the hand
  • Fingernails and toenails
  • Eyelids
  • Mouth and lips

If your rash is in these areas, that is a good indicator that you are dealing with psoriasis and not eczema.

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