{"id":8867,"date":"2023-11-16T21:08:50","date_gmt":"2023-11-16T14:08:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=8867"},"modified":"2023-11-16T21:08:50","modified_gmt":"2023-11-16T14:08:50","slug":"psoriasis-vs-eczema-understanding-the-differences","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=8867","title":{"rendered":"Psoriasis vs. Eczema: Understanding the Differences"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p> <span class=\"drop-cap__first text-dropcap \">D<\/span>ealing with dry, itchy skin is uncomfortable at best and it can even mess with your quality of life. After all, you can\u2019t just tell your skin rash to take a break while you deal with other things.<\/p>\n<p>But dermatologists say the best way to make your symptoms better is to figure out what could be behind your skin issues. Are you dealing with psoriasis, eczema, or something else entirely? Dermatologists break down how to know the difference between psoriasis vs. eczema\u2014and how to get help.<\/p>\n<h2>What is psoriasis?<\/h2>\n<p>Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that develops when your body makes skin cells too quickly, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aad.org\/public\/diseases\/psoriasis\/what\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.aad.org\/public\/diseases\/psoriasis\/what\">American Academy of Dermatology <\/a>(AAD) explains. This causes skin cells to pile up and form visible patches or spots on the skin. Fortunately, a psoriasis rash isn\u2019t contagious, per the AAD.<\/p>\n<div class=\"\">\n<hr\/>\n<div class=\"experts-in-article noskim py-[24px] px-[40px]\">\n<p>Experts In This Article<\/p>\n<ul class=\"!ml-[18px]\">\n<li> <a href=\"https:\/\/rwjms.rutgers.edu\/departments\/pathology-and-laboratory-medicine\/faculty\/clinical\/faculty-profiles\/cindy-wassef-md\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/rwjms.rutgers.edu\/departments\/pathology-and-laboratory-medicine\/faculty\/clinical\/faculty-profiles\/cindy-wassef-md\">Cindy Wassef, MD<\/a>, board-certified dermatologist and assistant professor at the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School <\/li>\n<li> <a href=\"https:\/\/goldenbergdermatology.com\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/goldenbergdermatology.com\/\">Gary Goldenberg, MD<\/a>, board-certified dermatologist practicing in New York City <\/li>\n<li> <a href=\"https:\/\/eternaldermatology.com\/meet-dr-rodney\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/eternaldermatology.com\/meet-dr-rodney\/\">Ife J. Rodney, MD, FAAD<\/a>, board-certified dermatologist and dermapathologist, founding director of Eternal Dermatology in Maryland. <\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<hr\/><\/div>\n<h2>What is eczema?<\/h2>\n<p>Eczema is a common skin condition that usually begins in childhood, and causes itchy, dry, and inflamed skin, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aad.org\/public\/diseases\/eczema\/types\/atopic-dermatitis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.aad.org\/public\/diseases\/eczema\/types\/atopic-dermatitis\">AAD<\/a> says. Like psoriasis, eczema isn\u2019t contagious.<\/p>\n<h2>How do the symptoms of psoriasis vs. eczema compare?<\/h2>\n<p>\u201cPsoriasis and eczema are both chronic skin conditions, but they have distinct differences,\u201d says board-certified dermatologist <a href=\"https:\/\/eternaldermatology.com\/meet-dr-rodney\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/eternaldermatology.com\/meet-dr-rodney\/\">Ife J. Rodney, MD,<\/a> founding director of <a href=\"https:\/\/eternaldermatology.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/eternaldermatology.com\/\">Eternal Dermatology Aesthetics<\/a>. \u201cWhile they share some similar symptoms like redness and itching, their underlying causes and the appearance of affected skin differ.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>These are the main symptoms of psoriasis, according to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.niams.nih.gov\/health-topics\/psoriasis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.niams.nih.gov\/health-topics\/psoriasis\">National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases<\/a> (NIAMS):<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Patches of thick, red skin with silvery-white scales that itch or burn, and usually show up on the elbows, knees, scalp, trunk, palms, and soles of the feet<\/li>\n<li>Dry, cracked skin that itches or bleeds<\/li>\n<li>Thick, ridged, pitted nails<\/li>\n<li>Poor sleep quality<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>And these are the top signs of eczema, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.niams.nih.gov\/health-topics\/atopic-dermatitis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.niams.nih.gov\/health-topics\/atopic-dermatitis\">NIAMS <\/a>says:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Red, dry, extremely itchy patches of skin<\/li>\n<li>Rashes that may ooze or weep clear fluid, or bleed when scratched<\/li>\n<li>Thickening and hardening of the skin<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>How do I know if it\u2019s eczema or psoriasis?<\/h2>\n<p>While both conditions cause skin rashes, they show up differently, says <a href=\"https:\/\/rwjms.rutgers.edu\/departments\/pathology-and-laboratory-medicine\/faculty\/clinical\/faculty-profiles\/cindy-wassef-md\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/rwjms.rutgers.edu\/departments\/pathology-and-laboratory-medicine\/faculty\/clinical\/faculty-profiles\/cindy-wassef-md\">Cindy Wassef, MD<\/a>, an assistant professor at the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Psoriasis often causes a rash that\u2019s a salmon pink, dark purple, or gray shade, depending on a person\u2019s skin tone, she says, adding that the patches tend to have a silvery scale. \u00a0\u201cIt can be associated with nail findings, like pitting,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content \" style=\"\" data-module-init=\"related-content\" data-module-immediate=\"\" v-cloak=\"\">\n<div class=\"related-content__wrapper \" v-cloak=\"\" :class=\"{'is-loaded':isLoaded}\">\n<p> <span class=\"inline pr-6 text-seafoam-dark\">Related Stories<\/span> <\/p>\n<p> <related-content class=\"related-content__links\" parent-article-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/psoriasis-vs-eczema\/\" current-title=\"Here\u2019s How To Tell Whether It\u2019s Psoriasis or Eczema Causing Your Dry, Itchy Skin\" current-image=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/GettyImages-psoriasis-vs-eczema_418x278_true_70.webp\" v-on:parsely-posts-loaded=\"onPostsLoaded\" start-date=\"2023-05-16\" tag=\"div\" inline-template=\"\" url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/psoriasis-vs-eczema\/\" secret=\"w5ztterVB03LGZJLfXS0hf3EvQBuFFIWew9hmVQxthU\" apikey=\"wellandgood.com\" limit=\"3\"> <\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"related-content__card mb-[10px] sm:mb-[20px]\" :class=\"{'related-content__card--full':posts.length === 1}\" v-for=\"(post, key) in posts\"> <a v-on:click.prevent=\"trackLinkGA($event, key)\" :href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/psoriasis-vs-eczema\/post.url\" data-url-source=\"related-content\" class=\"related-content__link\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"\"> <\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content__card--image bg-tan\" :style=\"{ backgroundImage: 'url(' + post.image_url + ')' }\"> <img :src=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/psoriasis-vs-eczema\/post.image_url\" :alt=\"post.title\"\/> <\/div>\n<p> <\/a>  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <\/related-content> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\u201cEczema is more of light pink to brown color, with a fine white scale,\u201d Dr. Wassef says.<\/p>\n<p>Location matters, too, when you\u2019re trying to determine whether you\u2019re dealing with psoriasis vs. eczema. While you can technically have signs of either condition anywhere you have skin\u2014whether that\u2019s eczema on your scalp or psoriasis on your face\u2014each tends to show up in different spots. \u201cPsoriasis lesions are most common on the scalp, elbows, and knees,\u201d says <a href=\"https:\/\/goldenbergdermatology.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/goldenbergdermatology.com\/\">Gary Goldenberg, MD<\/a>, a board-certified dermatologist practicing in New York City. \u201cEczema is most common on the backs of knees and fronts of elbows.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>What causes these conditions?<\/h2>\n<p>There is a difference in what causes psoriasis vs. eczema. \u201cThe exact cause of psoriasis is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve an immune system malfunction,\u201d Dr. Rodney says. \u201cGenetics also plays a significant role in psoriasis.\u201d (Meaning, if you have a family history of psoriasis, the odds of you developing the condition are <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/30680951\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" class=\"no-underline citation\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/30680951\/\"><span>higher than average<\/span><sup>1<\/sup><\/a>.)<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEczema is often linked to a combination of genetic and environmental factors,\u201d Dr. Rodney says. \u201cTriggers for eczema can include irritants like soaps and detergents, allergens like pollen or pet dander, infections, and stress.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>But \u201cboth conditions can be caused by environmental factors, stress, illness, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/psoriasis-trigger-foods\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/psoriasis-trigger-foods\/\">nutrition<\/a>, and other factors that we perhaps don\u2019t understand,\u201d Dr. Goldenberg says.<\/p>\n<h2>How is treatment different?<\/h2>\n<p>Treatment can vary for psoriasis vs. eczema, depending on how severe the symptoms are. \u201cFor mild eczema and psoriasis, the initial treatment with topical steroids is very similar,\u201d Dr. Wassef says. \u201cHowever, for more severe cases, injectable medications that work on the immune system target different areas for eczema and psoriasis. It would be important to know which rash you have.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In general, psoriasis treatments can include topical corticosteroids, vitamin D ointments or creams, immunosuppressive medications, and light therapy, Dr. Rodney says. (Meanwhile, you\u2019ll want to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/exfoliants-for-psoriasis\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/exfoliants-for-psoriasis\/\">avoid exfoliants<\/a>.) On the other hand, most <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/types-of-eczema\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/types-of-eczema\/\">types of eczema<\/a> are usually \u201cmanaged with moisturizers to keep the skin hydrated, along with topical corticosteroids or immunomodulators to reduce inflammation,\u201d she says. \u201cAvoiding triggers and allergens is crucial for managing eczema.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>How can you prevent psoriasis and eczema?<\/h2>\n<p>It can be tricky to fully prevent psoriasis and eczema due to their genetic components, Dr. Rodney says. But she says that flares and symptoms can usually be managed through lifestyle changes.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFor psoriasis, managing stress, avoiding injury to the skin, and adhering to prescribed treatments can help prevent exacerbations,\u201d Dr. Rodney says. \u201cFor eczema, maintaining proper skin hydration with regular use of moisturizers, identifying and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/worst-ingredients-for-eczema\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/worst-ingredients-for-eczema\/\">avoiding triggers<\/a>, and practicing good skincare routines can prevent flare-ups and reduce the severity of symptoms.\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/seasonal-eczema-care\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/seasonal-eczema-care\/\">Seasonal eczema care<\/a> is also key.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re dealing with a skin rash and you\u2019re not sure what\u2019s behind it, talk to your dermatologist. They\u2019re well-versed in both skin conditions and can usually give you a diagnosis after examining your skin, Dr. Wassef says. From there, you can come up with a care plan together to help find the soothing relief you&#8217;re after.<\/p>\n<div class=\"block-thin post-citations mt-[40px] mb-[30px]\" data-module-init=\"main-2020\/post-citations\" data-module-immediate=\"true\">\n<hr class=\"!border-seafoam-dark mb-[24px]\"\/>\n<div class=\"post-citations-content flex flex-col gap-[24px]\">\n<p>Well+Good articles reference scientific, reliable, recent, robust studies to back up the information we share. You can trust us along your wellness journey.<\/p>\n<div>\n<ol class=\"!ml-[18px] !mt-0\">\n<li>\n              Solmaz, Dilek et al. \u201cImpact of Having Family History of Psoriasis or Psoriatic Arthritis on Psoriatic Disease.\u201d\u00a0<i>Arthritis care &amp; research<\/i>\u00a0vol. 72,1 (2020): 63-68. doi:10.1002\/acr.23836            <\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<hr class=\"!border-seafoam-dark mt-[24px]\"\/>\n  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div data-type=\"_mgwidget\" data-widget-id=\"1675549\">\r\n<\/div>\r\n<script>(function(w,q){w[q]=w[q]||[];w[q].push([\"_mgc.load\"])})(window,\"_mgq\");\r\n<\/script>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dealing with dry, itchy skin is uncomfortable at best and it can even mess with your quality of life. After all, you can\u2019t just tell your skin rash to take a break while you deal with other things. But dermatologists say the best way to make your symptoms better is to figure out what could &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":8868,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8867","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8867","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=8867"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8867\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/8868"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=8867"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=8867"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=8867"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}