What Are The Treatment Options
Though the underlying causes are different, treatment is generally similar, Dr. Fernandez says. You should see a dermatologist for any rash that doesnt go away with over-the-counter medicine, he says.
- Topical cortisone, especially if you have a mild case.
- Immunosuppressive drugs for more moderate to severe cases.
- or ultraviolet light treatment for severe cases.
Also, eczema can prompt a secondary infection so your doctor may use topical and systemic antibiotics to remove bacteria and calm the inflammation.
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.
What Innovative Treatments Do You Offer For Eczema And Psoriasis
Correct diagnosis is the first step. We take a thorough patient history and perform detailed testing to determine the skin condition. Depending on your history and symptoms, we may ask for tests such as a biopsy, patch tests or other diagnostic studies. Once we are sure of the diagnosis, we will make treatment recommendations.
We offer a wide range of extensive topical and systemic therapies, as well as ultraviolet light therapycalled phototherapy. UV therapy given in a controlled medical setting can be extremely effective treatments for both conditions depending on the patient.
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How Effective Are Over
Most of the over-the-counter products are low-potency corticosteroids or plain moisturizers. Keeping the skin well moisturized is helpful but not an effective sole treatment for these skin diseases. Be careful with botanicals and natural products, as many have fragrances that can aggravate the skin.
What Is Eczema What Does It Look And Feel Like
Eczema is a condition that causes your skin to become dry, red, itchy and bumpy. Its one of many types of dermatitis. Eczema damages the skin barrier function . This loss of barrier function makes your skin more sensitive and more prone to infection and dryness.
Eczema doesnt harm your body. It doesnt mean that your skin is dirty or infected, and its not contagious. There are treatments that can help manage your symptoms.
In the word dermatitis, derm means skin and itis means inflammation. The word as a whole means inflammation of the skin. Eczema originates from the Greek word ekzein which means to boil over or break out.
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Which Itch Is Your Itch
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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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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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.
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Pasi And Plaque Severity
Simply put, PASI measures the severity of the skin portion of your disease. Your doctor does this by dividing your body into four regions: head, upper extremities, trunk, and lower extremities. Each of these areas is then graded for specific PsO symptoms, such as reddening, hardening, and scaling of the skin.
Your total score measures how much of your body PsO affects plus how badly it makes you feel. PASI scores range from 0 to 72, with scores of 5 to 10 indicating moderate disease. If you score 10 or higher, your psoriasis is considered severe. As you can see, you can have a fairly low PASI score and still have serious enough disease to affect your quality-of-life. In other words, maybe plaques appear on only a small region of your body. But if the pain and itch from them makes you miserable, your PsO can be disabling.
Your score, and whether or not it changes over time, can also be used to track the disease and serve as a method for communication between professionals so that everyone is speaking the same languagein this case, a numerical value.
Still, PASI is most often used among researchers, explains Aaron Farberg, M.D., a dermatologist at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, TX. The PASI is a tool used for the evaluation of psoriasis, mostly in clinical trials, but not necessary when seeing patients in a clinic, he explains. That said, your doctor can also use the PASI methodology to assess the condition of your plaque psoriasis.
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Treatment For Eczema And Psoriasis
Despite the difference in causes, eczema and psoriasis are typically treated similarly. Treatment may include:
- Topical steroids
- Medications and biologicsto suppress the immune system
- Topical antibiotics
- Ultraviolet light therapy
With the right diagnosis and management, you can take back control and get relief from eczema and psoriasis symptoms. To learn more, book an appointment online or over the phone with Riviera Allergy Medical Center today.
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Where On The Body Is Psoriasis Likely To Appear
Psoriasis can affect any part of the body, but especially in those areas where skin rubs against clothing, such as:
- Elbows
- Lower back
- Soles of the feet
The hands are also common sites for psoriasis flare-ups as a result of frequent hand washing and because of the wear and tear on busy hands throughout the day. Anything that puts stress on the hands or causes dryness raises the risk. Psoriasis that forms on the scalp is associated with psoriatic arthritis, a type of psoriasis that causes inflammation of the joints.
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What Are The Differences
One of the biggest differences between eczema and psoriasis is how many people have each condition. Most of us know that psoriasis affects around 8 million people around the world. Would it surprise you if I said that people who have eczema are double that number? Thats right.
Eczema affects 16 million people. People with psoriasis are usually helped when using phototherapy. People with eczema are not. Phototherapy can irritate eczema. Psoriasis and eczema have different gene involvement within the skin hence why a skin biopsy can let the doctor know the difference.
Shingles: A Rash And Severe Pain That Lingers
Shingles is another viral infection that shares some symptoms with psoriasis. Like psoriasis, shingles can make your skin burn and itch and produces a red, blistered skin rash. Shingles is caused by the same virus that first brings on chickenpox. The virus stays in your body and can come back years later to cause shingles, especially during times of stress or infection. The skin rash of shingles follows the course of a single nerve, usually on the trunk. In some cases, severe pain lasts long after the burning, itchy rash disappears. Shingles is more common in people over age 50.
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Conditions They’re Linked To
Eczema usually comes along with dry, sensitive skin. You may have someone in your family who has it or has asthma or hay fever.
Psoriasis is linked to other serious health conditions. If you have it, you may also have diabetes, heart disease, or depression.
Whether it’s psoriasis or eczema, your doctor can recommend ways to get relief for it.
What Do Psoriasis And Eczema Look Like
Signs and symptoms of psoriasis
The most common type of psoriasis is plaque psoriasis. Plaque psoriasis appears as thick, raised, red patches on the skin that are covered with white scales made of old, dead skin cells. These plaques can be itchy and painful. They can also crack and bleed.
Psoriasis can affect any part of the skin, but it usually shows up on the knees, elbows, scalp, and lower back. Other forms of psoriasis can occur on the genitals or in your skin folds, like in your armpits . Psoriasis can also just involve the hands and feet .
Up to 35% of people with psoriasis also have nail changes related to psoriasis. This includes:
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Small pits or holes in the nail
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Yellow or brown nail color
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Thickening of the nail
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Changes to the nail shape
There are several other serious health problems that can be more likely if you have psoriasis. Some of the more common issues include:
Signs and symptoms of eczema
Eczema appears as red, dry patches of skin that are very itchy. Some people with eczema scratch these areas a lot, which can lead to bleeding and thick or leathery skin. Unlike psoriasis, eczema can become infected with bacteria or viruses.
Although eczema can affect any part of the skin, some areas are more common. In infants, eczema usually happens on the cheeks, elbows, and knees. In older children and adults, eczema usually affects the insides of the elbows, behind the knees, and the hands and wrists.
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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.
What Symptoms Should You Look Out For
Unfortunately, its difficult for the average person to tell the difference between eczema and psoriasis. Its best to see a specialist if you spot a rash of any kind that doesnt clear up or returns.
Dr. Ziegner is specially trained to look at various aspects of rashes to distinguish between psoriasis, eczema, and other inflammatory skin conditions. Theres no substitute for expert evaluation. In addition to a visual examination, Dr. Ziegner will go over your medical history and discuss your symptoms.
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What Is Plaque Psoriasis
Plaque psoriasis is the commonest form of psoriasis which is characterized by the appearance of reddish well-demarcated plaques with silver scales usually on the extensor surface of the knees and elbows. Lower back, scalp, and ears are the other common sites affected by this condition. New plaques can emerge at the sites of new trauma. This is known as the Kbner phenomenon. Occasionally the lesions can become itchy or sore.
Figure 02: Plaque Psoriasis
Plaque psoriasis is managed in the same manner as mentioned above.
Can Eczema Become Psoriasis
Eczema and psoriasis are completely different conditions. So, eczema cant turn into psoriasis, and vice versa. But, since the conditions can look so similar, it can be tough to tell the difference even in a clinical setting, especially in children. According to AAD, in these instances, a dermatologist may diagnose the skin condition as psoriasiform dermatitis.
Theres some overlap, too. Its not common, but you can technically get both psoriasis and eczema at the same time, which can be extra confusing. Your dermatologist will usually be able to distinguish between the two.
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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:
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Calcipotriene: helps to reduce inflammation, is chemically related to vitamin D, and is available in combination with a steroid in the medication betamethasone/calcipotriene
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Calcitriol: helps to slow down skin cell growth and is also related to vitamin D
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Tazarotene: helps to slow down skin cell growth and is chemically similar to vitamin A
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Zithranol: helps to slow down skin cell growth and is available as a cream or shampoo
These are other topical medication options for eczema:
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Tacrolimus andpimecrolimus: help reduce immune system activity, while not carrying the same risk of side effects that steroids have
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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.
Psoriasis On The Hands
Although many people have patches of psoriasis on the backs of their hands and knuckles, others have outbreaks on the palms.
Intense peeling and dry skin on the hands can make even simple actions, such as washing hands or picking up a bag, very painful and uncomfortable.
Psoriasis on the hands may also include nail psoriasis. This condition causes overactive skin cells to produce too many new cells under the nails. This can look like a fungal infection that discolors the nails and even causes them to fall off.
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Difference #: Location Of Symptoms
Generally speaking, both conditions can appear on most parts of the body. However, there are certain areas where youâre more prone to see psoriasis and certain areas youâre more likely to see eczema developing.
Eczema tends to develop â on the parts of the body where there are creases. For instance, on your inner elbow or behind your knees. It can also form on your neck, wrists and ankles.
Psoriasis tends to develop â on your elbows, knees, scalp and face, lower back, palms of your hands, soles of your feet, mouth and lips, ears, eyelids, fingernails and toenails.4
- 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 â especially berries, cherries and leafy greens
- Oily fish â 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
Eczema Vs Psoriasis On The Face
Psoriasis is typically found on elbows and knees, but a person with scalp psoriasis may find patches extending to the forehead, ears, and other areas close to the face. Eczema may also be found on the face and appears as pus-filled blisters. In both cases, there can be extreme itching and discomfort.
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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.