Do Not Confuse Psoriasis With Eczema

However, there's some distinguishing characteristics between the five that make it simpler to recognize which condition is present & to enable an accurate diagnosis & course of treatment for each.

eight of the skin diseases most frequently seen by dermatologists are psoriasis & eczema. In the public mind, these five skin disorders are often confused, & for nice reason. Even dermatologists can sometimes have difficulty identifying which condition is present in a patient. Indeed, eczema & psoriasis can appear to look similar. Both show up in patchy areas that can become very itchy.

The Fundamental Differences Between Psoriasis & Eczema

Psoriasis: Psoriasis is characterized by reddish lesions accompanied by silvery scaling that flakes off, causing the skin beneath to bleed. This form of psoriasis is called, plaque psoriasis, is the type most frequently diagnosed. The scales are commonly referred to as plaques, flakes or scales.

Actually, the scales are excess skin produced when certain substances in the body become unbalanced, & cause skin cells to grow out of control. In severe cases skin cells grow at a rate up to 1,000 faster than normal growth.

Another, less common, form of this skin disorder is called Guttate Psoriasis. Guttate psoriasis appears more often in infants & young adults, showing as small, red bumps the size of drops of water on the skin. It usually appears suddenly, often several weeks after an infection such as strep throat.

Eczema is generally erupts in response to environmental factors such as exposure to products containing harsh chemicals. Psoriasis, on the other hand, usually has a genetic link, & is a response to factors occurring inside of the body.

Eczema: While eczema may resemble dry skin that also itches, it does not usually include the flaking quality associated with psoriasis. Again, psoriasis tends to be characterized by raised red spots that are rough, & tend to flake as they itch.

Who is suffering from these skin disorders can be a nice sign of whether the affliction is eczema or psoriasis. As a general rule, psoriasis tends to strike adults most often, while eczema is more commonly seen in infants.

Both psoriasis & eczema are maddening, inconvenient, irritating & embarrassing skin diseases presenting coping difficulties for both adults & infants. Under any circumstances, a visit to a dermatologist is a must to address diagnosis & treatment options.