Before any type of skin problem can be treated, it needs to be properly diagnosed. When it comes to psoriasis and eczema, there is quite a bit of confusion about the difference between the two and the treatments of the skin problems. Although a real diagnosis should only be given by a doctor, there are some ways to tell the difference between eczema and psoriasis so a person can start treating his skin as soon as possible.
The Difference Between Eczema and Psoriasis When it Comes to Appearance
Although psoriasis and eczema are both skin problems that appear to look almost the same, there are some differences to be aware of. One of the easiest ways to tell which skin condition a person has is by the appearance of the affected area of skin.
Eczema is extremely dry patches of skin that may or may not have small blisters. The skin is usually thickened with the patches of the dry skin and they are most often found on the hands, neck, elbows, and legs. These patches of dry skin are extremely itchy and itching the areas makes the eczema worse.
Psoriasis, on the other hand, is raised and rough skin that has a red appearance. When the psoriasis is more severe, the red area will also have loose, flaky skin on top of it. The skin is only usually itchy when the condition gets severe. Also with psoriasis, a person may also develop psoriatic arthritis, which will make the person's joints swelled and hard to move.
The Different Causes Behind Psoriasis and Eczema
Not only do these skin conditions look different they are also caused by different things. The most common causes of eczema are skin irritants such as clothing, lotions, perfumes, soaps, and other materials that come in contact with the skin. Certain foods can also cause an eczema flare up for people who are allergic to the food. The immune system reacts to these irritants and makes the skin become inflamed, which causes the symptoms of eczema.
Psoriasis is most commonly passed down in genes but there are certain environmental factors that add to psoriasis problems. Some of the factors that can lead to a psoriasis outbreak are extreme cold or hot weather, stress, infections, and certain nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). It has also been shown that women who smoke are more likely to suffer from this skin condition than women who don't smoke.
Eczema and Psoriasis Treatments
A big difference between eczema and psoriasis is the fact that eczema can be cured while psoriasis can only be treated, but there is no known cure at this time. Eczema is most common in infants and toddlers and most of the time they outgrow the problem before are of school age. On the other hand, psoriasis, although it can be suppressed and treated, will always be with a person for the rest of their life.
The best eczema treatment is to keep the skin healthy, clean, and avoid any known irritants. A moisturizer should be used on the affected patches of skin before anything harsher is applied to the area. Hydrocortisone cream, which is available over-the-counter, is another option for treating eczema. If the condition is more severe, a doctor may prescribe a stronger steroidal cream.
Since eczema is mostly caused by allergens, oral antihistamines have also proved helpful in more severe cases as well. If a person suffers chronic eczema that is very severe, a doctor may look into ultraviolet light therapy for the problem. For adults, doctors may also prescribed medications that help suppress the immune system so that the body doesn't react so harshly to the irritants.
Psoriasis treatments are used to reduce inflammation as well as prevent the affected skin from spreading any more. The treatment is based on how severe the problem is as well as the patient's age and where the skin condition is on the body.
For mild cases of psoriasis, creams, lotions, and shampoos can be used to keep the skin moist and healthy. Doctors also recommend patients avoid known factors that cause the flare-ups.
For more moderate cases of psoriasis, doctors will prescribe medicines like vitamin D compounds and corticosteroids to treat the skin condition. Often times doctors will recommend phototherapy to patients who often get moderate to severe outbreaks. There are also oral medicines, like retinoid and cyclosporine, which can be taken for severe psoriasis as well.
Anyone who may be wondering what the difference between eczema and psoriasis is because they think they may have one of these skin conditions should consult a doctor. None of this information in this article should replace a doctor's advice when it comes to diagnosing these skin problems.
Sources:
Web MD "Eczema Health Center" (accessed 6/25/2010)
Web MD "Psoriasis Health Center" (accessed 6/25/2010)
Tiffany Brunskole - Tiffany is a freelance writer and web marketer. She has over three years of experience writing quality content for the web. She spends ...
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