How do I know if I have eczema or psoriasis?
How to identify and treat these common skin conditions
It’s frustrating when you have a nagging itch that just won’t go away. Maybe the skin in the area is dry, red and raised to the touch. Or it stings and burns, and you’ve scratched the spot so much that it’s bleeding.
What is going on with your skin? Could it be eczema or maybe psoriasis? We discuss the differences between and causes behind these common skin conditions, plus how you can get treatment for eczema and psoriasis.
What is the difference between eczema and psoriasis?
Eczema and psoriasis are both skin conditions that can reoccur or flare up when you’re exposed to certain triggers. But they differ in their causes, symptoms, where they occur and how they’re treated.
Eczema is a common skin condition that’s believed to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors that irritate and cause the skin to become dry, itchy and inflamed. Many people with eczema think they simply have sensitive skin or allergies and don’t realize that it’s a treatable skin condition.
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes skin cells to multiply faster than normal, resulting in dry, itchy, scaly and raised skin patches. While there’s no known cure, psoriasis can usually be managed, and there are ways to prevent psoriasis flare-ups and reduce symptoms.
Eczema symptoms vs. psoriasis symptoms
Although eczema and psoriasis can have similar symptoms, there are several symptoms that are unique to each condition.
What do eczema and psoriasis look like?
Eczema rashes may look blotchy, scaly or leathery and appear red on lighter complexions and dark brown, purple or grayish on darker complexions. Skin that’s affected by eczema may feel bumpy or raised to the touch and will be very dry and itchy. In fact, even before an eczema rash develops, you’ll likely notice that the area becomes irritated and itchy. But it’s important not to rub or scratch the area as scratching will make the skin more inflamed and irritated, which can lead to bleeding or even an infection.
Psoriasis has a slightly different appearance from eczema. While psoriasis also causes red skin patches, the patches are thicker with silvery scales, called plaques. If you’re wondering “What does psoriasis feel like?” Skin that’s affected by psoriasis will feel very rough and dry and may also burn and itch.
Common places for eczema and psoriasis to occur on the body
Eczema occurs most often on the areas of your body that bend—think behind your knees, neck, ankles, wrists and the insides of your elbows. It can also develop on your hands, especially when you wash them a lot, and in the winter, when the air is drier.
Psoriasis may occur as a few small patches or affect large areas of the body. Common areas where psoriasis appears include the elbows, knees, face, scalp, palms, soles of feet and in skin folds. More rarely, psoriasis can develop on your nails, mouth and lips, eyelids and ears.
Eczema causes vs. psoriasis causes
While the causes of both eczema and psoriasis remain somewhat of a mystery, here’s what medical professionals know.
What causes eczema to start?
The exact causes of eczema aren’t well understood, but certain risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing eczema include genetics, environmental factors, and the presence of asthma and allergies. Eczema is also likely to reoccur when skin is triggered by irritants like soaps, laundry detergents, disinfectants, scratchy fabrics like wool, and heavily fragranced products like perfumed lotions. If you or someone in your family has a history of sensitive or dry skin, asthma, hay fever or other allergies, you’re more likely to develop eczema.
Eczema can also be triggered by stress, anxiety, heat, humidity and changes to moisture on the skin, like when you sweat a lot or wash and dry your hands often.
You don’t need to worry about passing eczema on to someone else. It’s not contagious
What are the causes of psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disorder causing the immune system to speed up skin cell growth. It’s unknown why it occurs in some people and not others, but known triggers that cause flare-ups include:
- Stress—Stress can throw your immune system out of balance, which can trigger a flare-up or make a current flare-up worse.
- Infection—Similar to stress, when you have an infection, your immune system takes a hit, which can trigger a flare-up.
- Skin damage—Skin disturbances like an injury, sunburn or a vaccine or IV injection site can cause psoriasis flare-ups.
Like eczema, psoriasis isn’t contagious, so there’s no need to worry about passing it to a friend or family member.
What age does psoriasis start?
While eczema most commonly affects infants and young children, with roughly half of those impacted experiencing symptoms into adulthood, psoriasis rarely shows up in young children. Most often, psoriasis develops in people between the ages of 15 to 35 and continues to cycle through flare-ups for the remainder of someone’s life.
Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to manage psoriasis flare-ups and prevent new ones.
What should I do if I think I have eczema or psoriasis?
An eczema or psoriasis flare-up will go away on its own over time, but dealing with the itching and discomfort while your skin heals can be difficult.
To feel better while you heal, try the following tips:
Feel better tips
- Avoiding scratching!—We know it’s hard but do your best to avoid scratching the area(s) by covering skin with gauze dressing or sleeping with cotton gloves to curtail nighttime scratching.
- Use over-the-counter topical steroids—Hydrocortisone cream can help control inflammation and ease irritation.
- Keep skin hydrated—Slather on a thick and unscented lotion like Eucerin or Aquaphor.
- Switch to products for sensitive skin—Opt for hypoallergenic soaps, detergents and lotions to help prevent further irritation.
- Seeking treatment through Virtuwell—Get a custom treatment plan with prescription creams or recommended medications and at-home treatment tips. Whether your case of eczema or psoriasis is mild or more severe, we’re here to help.
At Virtuwell, you can start a visit anytime and from anywhere. Just answer a few simple questions about your symptoms and medical history and submit photos of the affected area. One of our nurse practitioners will provide an individualized treatment plan and any prescriptions or medications to your pharmacy along with tips to stop the itching, ease your symptoms and help prevent future flare-ups.
Get psoriasis and eczema treatment today.
Heal and soothe your skin. Start a visit at Virtuwell
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