Eczema and PsoriasisEczema and Psoriasis are both chronic skin diseases that can be easily confused by the layperson, however a dermatologist will usually be able to tell the two apart just from looking at the symptoms.  However both skin diseases have distinct causes and require very different treatments, understanding the differences will help with getting an accurate diagnosis from a dermatologist.

There are a number of factors that can help you distinguish the two diseases depending on the age of the sufferer, the appearance of the skin, and environmental factors.  It is important to know the difference so that the right type of treatment can be administered and the skin disease can be controlled properly.

Difference Between Eczema And Psoriasis

Skin lesions caused by psoriasis are usually thick, raised, red, and the skin is usually scaly in appearance; psoriasis lesions are also dry.  In the case of eczema the skin lesions are also red, scaly in appearance, but the skin lesions are usually moist and may be oozing.  Eczema of the skin is usually caused by environmental factors such as exposure to chemicals, excessive hand washing, and in some cases food allergies.  The areas that are affected by skin lesions can also help to determine if a person is suffering from eczema or psoriasis.

Treatment Of Eczema vs. Psoriasis

The treatment for eczema vs. psoriasis usually involves the use of moisturizing creams that help to maintain the natural oils of the skin.  Psoriasis on the other hand is not associated with allergies and can sometimes happen in parallel with psoriatic arthritis.  It is also the usual treatment when dealing with eczema vs. psoriasis to prescribe a medication with an antihistamine to help with the itching of the skin.  Eczema can however be managed and controlled with the use of topical ointments and treatments; it is also advisable to avoid contact with skin irritants to prevent further outbreaks.

One of the distinctions when looking at a case of eczema vs. psoriasis is the condition of a person’s nails; nail pitting is a frequent symptom of psoriasis that does not occur in eczema.  Some treatments will work for both eczema and psoriasis, though this is not always the case as some cases of either disease need specific treatments.  It is important to avoid scratching when dealing with both diseases as broken skin can lead to the possibility of bacterial infection.  The best way to determine whether you are suffering from eczema vs. psoriasis is to see a dermatologist as soon as you see a rash or skin lesions in the areas most commonly affected by psoriasis and eczema.