Similarities Between Psoriasis and Eczema

Skin diseases are the common physical ailments that affect a decent percentage of world’s population at any given time. Yet, in a society where so much emphasis is put on looks and physical appearance, there seems to be less awareness of the effects of skin conditions and challenges faced by those who suffer from them. Psoriasis and eczema are the two common skin conditions that are often confused with one another because of the common symptoms they share, such as redness, itchiness, and scaly patches on the skin. A dermatologist may need to perform a skin biopsy in some cases to accurately diagnose the condition. We look at the similarities between the two skin conditions – psoriasis and eczema.

What is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is derived from Greek words, Psora which means ‘itch’ and sis which means ‘action or condition.’ Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin disorder that causes redness and scaly patches on the skin. It is a condition that basically speeds up the growth cycle of skin cells, making the immune system overactive and causing the skin cells to multiple up to 10 times faster than normal. It affects skin, scalp, nails, joints, and other organs of the body. The disease is equally common in men and women.

Psoriasis is classified into several types, including plaque psoriasis, guttate psoriasis, inverse psoriasis, and pustular psoriasis. The treatment typically consists of topical medications such as corticosteroids, as well as light therapy and oral medications in more severe cases. While there is no cure for psoriasis, proper treatment and lifestyle changes can help many people manage their symptoms.

What is Eczema?

Eczema is derived from the Greek word “ekzein” meaning ‘to boil.’ It is a quite similar skin condition that causes dry, rough and itchy patches of skin. Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic skin condition that is more common in people who have a family history of allergies or asthma, and it is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Sometimes, particularly on the hands and feet, vesicles or bullae may appear.

Eczema can affect any part of the body, but the common affected areas are the face, neck, and limbs. Its severity can range from mild, with only a few small patches of dry skin, to severe, with cracked and open skin that can lead to infections. Eczema can be classified into three types:

• Contact dermatitis
• Nummular eczema
• Seborrheic dermatitis

The treatment includes moisturizing the skin, avoiding irritants, and using prescription medications, such as corticosteroids or immunomodulators.

Similarities between Psoriasis and Eczema

Epidemiology

– Both psoriasis and eczema are common chronic skin conditions that affect both men and women at equal rates globally. Both equally affect individuals of any age, but are commonly found in developed countries and urban areas. Psoriasis is more common in adults and people of European descent, whereas eczema is more commonly observed in children and people who have a family history of allergies or asthma.

Symptoms

– Both are long-lasting skin ailments that cause skin inflammation, redness, and itchy skin. They share overlapping symptoms such as inflammation, rashes, and skin discoloration. Both conditions cause the skin to become dry, scaly, and occasionally cracked, which can result in bleeding, especially in severe cases. The symptoms can appear in the same places of the body.

Triggers

– Both the conditions start with infections, followed by stress, sweat, humidity, and hormonal changes. While the exact cause of the conditions are not known, environmental factors such as weather changes and allergens may act as potential triggers. Furthermore, certain medications and infections can exacerbate the symptoms of psoriasis and eczema. Allergens can trigger the immune system and may cause psoriasis and eczema flare-ups.

Treatment

– The symptoms of both the conditions can be controlled but they cannot be completely cured. There is no particular cure for psoriasis or eczema at the moment, but both conditions can be managed with a variety of treatment options. Topical creams and ointments, oral medications, light therapy, and lifestyle changes can all aid in reduction and prevention of the symptoms.

Contagion

– Neither of the condition is contagious meaning they cannot be spread through person to person contact, but they can lead to infections. They are not very highly infectious skin ailments, however, they can be hereditary and can run in families. So, individuals are more likely to get psoriasis and eczema if their relatives also have the same condition.

FAQs

Are psoriasis and eczema related?

Psoriasis and eczema are two symptomatically similar but different skin conditions with different causes and treatments. Psoriasis may cause mild itching, while eczema can lead to intense itching.

How to tell the difference between childhood psoriasis and eczema?

Psoriasis is more common in older children and teenagers, whereas eczema usually begins in infancy or early childhood. Onset peaks during the first 2 years of life. The development of eczema seems to be influenced by genetic and environmental factors, but neither of these is well understood.

How do I know if it’s eczema or psoriasis?

Both make your skin red and inflamed. But when you look closely, the skin looks thicker and more inflamed in psoriasis than with eczema.

Can eczema evolve into psoriasis?

While they may occur together or sometimes in the same person, they are two different skin conditions, and eczema does not typically turn into psoriasis or vice-versa.

Will eczema cream help psoriasis?

Eczema creams typically contain ingredients like emollients or anti-inflammatory agents that are specifically designed to relieve eczema symptoms like dryness and itching. These creams may be ineffective against the symptoms of psoriasis.

What foods trigger eczema and psoriasis?

While it is not proven that which foods elevate the symptoms of psoriasis and eczema, there are some studies that suggest there are certain foods you should avoid, such as nuts, milk, soy products, wheat, chocolate, citrus fruits, etc.

What is the root cause of eczema and psoriasis?

While the exact cause of both the conditions is not yet known, there seems to be environmental factors involved, such as stress, cold weather, and allergens can trigger flare-ups of psoriasis and eczema.