Psoriasis Vs Eczema On Feet

What Can I Do To Help My Feet

The most important action is to seek advice and help when you notice any changes in your foot, whatever they may be. You can talk to your GP or local pharmacist for advice. Some problems can be resolved simply. For issues that are more persistent you may be referred to a specialist, such as a dermatologist, rheumatologist, physiotherapist, surgeon or chiropodist/podiatrist.

For general foot care, personal hygiene is important, particularly in avoiding fungal and viral infections. Change shoes and socks regularly, avoid shoes which are ill-fitting or cause bad posture. If you are overweight, losing weight could relieve the pressure on your joints and improve your walking gait.

If you are diagnosed with psoriasis, develop a treatment regime that works for you often, applying treatment after a bath or shower, along with the use of an emollient, can make the process easier.

If you have nail involvement, keep nails trimmed and clean. If they are thick, try trimming them after soaking them in a bath or shower, as this makes them softer and easier to cut. Alternatively, seek an appointment with a chiropodist, which is often available via the NHS.

If you have psoriatic arthritis, it is important to rest inflamed joints. Sourcing footwear that supports the foot and helps to reduce the pressure on the inflamed areas can help, as can inner soles and orthotic supports. Once again, a chiropodist is best placed to advise you.

This article is adapted from The psoriatic foot leaflet.

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.

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.

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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.

How Can You Tell Whether You Have Eczema Or Psoriasis

The two diseases are very different, but they have some similarities that can make it difficult to tell them apart. This is particularly true for certain areas of the body, like the hands, or when the disease covers the entire body.

Neither one is contagious, which is another point they have in common.

There is usually a clear visual distinction, however. For psoriasis:

• the patches have a much brighter red tone
• the lesions have much clearer more well-defined edges
• the patches are thicker and covered in thick, white scales.

The following additional signs may indicate psoriasis:

• Psoriasis is very rare in infants, but when it does affect this age group, it appears in the diaper area as bright red, well-defined patches with no scaling.
• Psoriasis can appear in children. Often, the outbreak is preceded by an infection, and the patches are spread out over the body: guttate psoriasis.
• In adults, psoriasis affects different areas of the body, particularly:
• the front of the knees
• the elbows
• the buttocks

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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.

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.

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The Differences In Appearances

Eczema makes your skin red and inflamed. It may be scaly, oozing, or crusty. You may see rough, leathery patches that are sometimes dark. It can also cause swelling.

Psoriasis can also cause red patches. They may be silvery and scaly — and raised. But if you look closely, the skin is thicker and more inflamed than with eczema.

Psoriasis Up And Down The Legs

Psoriasis frequently occurs on the legs and knees. Although some psoriasis may cover significant portions of the legs, other types may appear in isolated patches.

The different types of psoriasis have different appearances.

For instance, guttate psoriasis on the legs would appear in many separate, drop-like, small red psoriasis patches. However, plaque psoriasis on the legs often appears in large, shapeless patches with thick red skin or thick white scales.

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Psoriasis Vs Eczema On Feet

Eczema vs Psoriasis: Know the Symptoms.

Typically appears on the face, scalp , soles of the feet, knees, elbows, palms of hands and lower.

Psoriasis vs. eczema: What’s the difference?.

on the elbows, knees, scalp, palms of hands, and soles of feet.

Psoriasis and ringworm can form in the same places, like the scalp, arms, legs, genitals, and feet. Psoriasis is not at all contagious.

Prescription antifungals must be taken orally for 1 to 3.

Skin between the toes may look white and soggy, the soles of the foot are more likely to be dry and flaky, and reddening and blistering can appear anywhere. Still it might be something else .

Like psoriasis, eczema is a very itchy skin condition. Scratching causes redness and inflammation of the skin, leading to a worsening of the eczema. Scratching can also cause a.

Psoriasis vs Eczema: More Than Your Average Rash.

of scaly skin mostly effecting the elbows, neck, face, palms and soles of the feet.

Psoriasis vs. eczema: Whats the difference.

Eczema symptoms can appear anywhere on the skinfrom the scalp to the bottom of the feet. But the symptoms below usually show up on an adults hands,

Inverse psoriasis causes smooth patches of red, inflamed skin that worsen with friction and sweating. Fungal infections may trigger this type of psoriasis. Pustular psoriasis. This uncommon form of psoriasis can occur in widespread patches or in smaller areas on your hands, feet or fingertips.

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

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Psoriasis Remains A Mystery

While eczema appears as a skin rash, psoriasis presents in different forms. Some outbreaks look like scaly red patches. Others look like a plaque buildup. This is due to the rapidly growing skin cells. The cause of psoriasis is unknown, with no cure. Genetics is the most prominent precursor of the disease. Persons with diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and depression can also have psoriasis. Like eczema, external factors like stress and alcohol trigger the disease.

Psoriasis And Eczema Are Treated Differently

Eczema treatment depends on how severe it is. The treatment goal is to keep eczema symptoms under control. A variety of prescribed topicals such as steroids or non-steroidals are used for eczema treatment, in addition to over-the-counter medications such as various creams and ointments for daily bathing and moisturizing. Prescription medications are added to the daily skin care regimen when itching and rash from atopic dermatitis are not well controlled. Prescription medication is also required if there is an infection.

Psoriasis treatment also depends on how severe it is. As with eczema, the treatment goal is to keep the symptoms under control. If it is mild to moderate psoriasis, psoriasis symptoms can be controlled with over-the-counter medications, natural remedies for psoriasis, and avoiding triggers. Most treatment plans for mild psoriasis involve the use of topical treatments, including moisturizers, creams, and tar shampoo. The types of topical Rx and OTC treatments include:

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Learning The Differences 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.

Getting A Diagnosis Of Psoriatic Arthritis

The presence of psoriasis may provide an indication of psoriatic arthritis when someone develops joint symptoms. Psoriatic arthritis can develop in people with a lot or a little of psoriasis, and may be more common in people with nail psoriasis. As well as joint symptoms, psoriatic arthritis can lead to feeling tired. Many people become frustrated by a lack of diagnosis psoriatic arthritis tends to have periods of improvement and worsening, which may also be attributed to mechanical joint problems and not inflammatory arthritis.

If you have the symptoms of inflammatory arthritis, such as psoriatic arthritis, your doctor will often refer you to a rheumatologist. In some cases, further tests and imagery may be sought, although this will depend on the individual circumstances and level of confidence in the initial diagnosis.

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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.

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.

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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.

More Than A Dry Spell

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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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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.

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

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How Does Psoriasis Affect The Palms And Soles

Psoriasis may be localised to the palms and soles or part of generalisedchronic plaque psoriasis. Two common patterns are observed:

• Well-circumscribed, red, scaly, plaques similar to psoriasis elsewhere
• Patchy or generalised thickening and scaling of the entire surface of palms and/or soles without redness

Palmoplantar psoriasis

Palmoplantar pustulosis and the rare acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau , in which yellow-brown pustules occur, are no longer classified as psoriasis. However, the conditions are associated. About 1025% of people with palmoplantar pustulosis also have chronic plaque psoriasis.

Are There Complications Of Psoriasis

In some people, psoriasis causes more than itchiness and red skin. It can lead to swollen joints and arthritis. If you have psoriasis, you may be at higher risk of:

• Use medicated shampoo for scales on your scalp.

Other steps you should take to stay as healthy as possible:

• Talk to your healthcare provider about lowering your risk for related conditions, such as heart disease, depression and diabetes.
• Lower your stress with meditation, exercise or seeing a mental health professional.

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What Are The Clinical Features Of Palmoplantar Psoriasis

Palms and soles affected by psoriasis tend to be partially or completely red, dry and thickened, often with deep painful cracks . The skin changes tend to have a sharp border and are often symmetrical, ie similar distribution on both palms and/or both soles. At times, palmar psoriasis can be quite hard to differentiate from hand dermatitis and other forms of acquired keratoderma. Plantar psoriasis may sometimes be similar in appearance to tinea pedis. There may be signs of psoriasis elsewhere.

Palmoplantar psoriasis tends to be a chronic condition, ie, it is very persistent.

Compared to chronic plaque psoriasis on other sites, palmoplantar psoriasis is more commonly associated with:

• Psoriatic arthritis

What’s The Difference Between Eczema And Psoriasis

• Children get eczema. They can also get psoriasis.

• While more children develop eczema than psoriasis, almost 1% of children have psoriasis.

• Its not always easy to tell whether a child has eczema or psoriasis. A study conducted in Australia found that most children who had psoriasis were initially diagnosed by their primary care doctor as having another disease, often eczema.

• To a dermatologists trained eye, psoriasis and eczema tend to look quite different.

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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.

Severe And Pervasive Psoriasis

Like most skin conditions, psoriasis can become widespread and very irritating. For instance, plaque psoriasis may cover almost the entire surface of the body.

In extreme cases, inflammation can become so severe that it appears and feels like burns.

Extensive, highly painful, burn-like psoriasis can be life-threatening. This requires immediate attention from a health professional.

Other widespread psoriasis may simply require standard treatment to partially heal or resolve.

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