Psoriasis causes well-defined, thick, red, scaly patches, commonly in areas like the elbows and knees. Do you have persistent patches of red, dry, itchy skin that won’t go away? Eczema vs Hives. We are often asked about the differences between psoriasis vs eczema. It can get so bad that you scratch enough to make your skin bleed. When you compare the similar ailments, you will notice similarities. I thought it was a reaction to a new acne cream I had tried (benzoyl peroxide), but that would have to be out of my system by now. UpToDate: “Treatment of psoriasis in adults,” “Treatment of atopic dermatitis (eczema).”. Difference #3: Location of symptoms. Eczema and Dermatitis. Eczema may be worsened by irritants such as certain soaps, detergents and cleansers, and can also be irritated by wetness. You might also try light therapy (your doctor will call it phototherapy) using ultraviolet light. Psoriasis treatment is either systemic, which means it affects your entire body, or topical, which goes on your skin. Eczema is brought on by skin irritants like soap, disinfectants, detergents, aerosol sprays or even juices from fruits, vegetables or meats. Either way, you stop and pause, because you've got an itch that just won't leave you alone -- along with blotches of red on your skin. These skin conditions have similar symptoms, so it’s often difficult to tell them apart. Psoriasis can also cause red patches. Eczema often appears on parts of your body that bend, like your inner elbow or behind your knees. Eczema and hives are both itchy allergic reactions where symptoms occur on or just under the skin. Psoriasis is common on the knees and elbows, while eczema generally appears behind the knees and the creases inside the elbows. I have had psoriasis on my knees and elbows, but these hives seem to be exacerbating the psori What gives? When that happens, it's usually because you have another condition like thyroid disease, hormone changes, or stress. O'Neill, J. Acta Dermato-Venereologica, April 2011. Plaque psoriasis is the most common and accounts for nearly 80-90 percent of psoriasis cases. Or you're heading out the door for a day of fun in the sun. They may have similar-looking rashes, but each … “But there are definitely times when we cannot tell the difference. You can have it on your neck, wrists, and ankles. It causes raised, red, scaly patches on your skin or scalp. But while you can’t pass them from person to person, they may run in families. Eczema makes your skin red and inflamed. Psoriasis. Unlike atopic dermatitis, psoriasis doesn’t usually appear before age 10. Many things can trigger psoriasis, including stress, cold weather, skin damage, and certain medications. It's less common, but possible, to get it as an adult. You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter. Doctors diagnose it by closely examining your skin, nails, and scalp. I have had hives for 3 weeks. Psoriasis 1. Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema. Learn about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of … Shingles (Herpes Zoster) A rash of raised dots that turns into painful blisters, shingles causes your … If your disease is limited, or mild, you may be able to control it with topical corticosteroids and emollients. “When we see that, we definitely think about eczema instead of psoriasis,” he says. It can be easy to confuse eczema and psoriasis since the symptoms often look similar, but one difference between eczema and psoriasis is the locations where they most often occur. ", National Psoriasis Foundation: "About Psoriasis," "Life with Psoriasis," "Causes and Known Triggers," "Psoriasis Treatments.". Eczema vs Psoriasis. Hives tend to appear across your whole body. With psoriasis, the plaques on your skin are likely thicker and have dry scaling. Scalp plaques that are thicker than typical seborrheic dermatitis typically mark this condition. Often, symptoms improve when a kid becomes a grown-up. Psoriasis: Should You Avoid Certain Foods? Or you could use just a biologic drug, which includes: American Academy of Dermatology: "Atopic dermatitis: Who gets and causes. Your doctor needs to make the final call, but psoriasis or eczema could be the problem. Neither psoriasis nor eczema is contagious, Dr. Fernandez says. Eczema is an inflammation of the skin that can have numerous triggers. It's rare for a baby to have it. “You have to look at all the clinical aspects of a rash to distinguish between eczema and psoriasis, including the history and the patient’s other medical problems,” Dr. Fernandez says. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. You may see rough, leathery patches that are sometimes dark. Psoriasis and lupus are autoimmune conditions that can affect the skin. Eczema. CORONAVIRUS: UPDATED VISITOR RESTRICTIONS, INCREASED SAFETY MEASURES + COVID-19 TESTING. It can also cause swelling. “You have to look at all the clinical aspects of a rash to distinguish between eczema and psoriasis, including the history and the patient’s other medical … Also, eczema can prompt a secondary infection so your doctor may use topical and systemic antibiotics to remove bacteria and calm the inflammation. For mild to moderate cases, you’ll use a topical corticosteroid to control inflammation, and you’ll use an emollient on your skin. could also be itchy, but there's something extra going on. But you’ll likely find that doctors often treat them the same way. Keeping your skin moist is helpful because you’re more likely to itch if your skin is dry. ECZEMA VS PSORIASIS – WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE? It can be difficult to understand the difference between eczema and psoriasis. Psoriasis tends … Psoriasis often shows up on places like your: You may also have patches on other areas, such as: Eczema usually results from things that irritate your skin, like: Things that cause allergies can also set off eczema, like: Infections can start up eczema, and so can stress, sweating, heat, humidity, and changes in your hormones. 3) Sebo-psoriasis. About 7.5 million people in the U.S. Get the facts. Well tell you about some of the most important similarities and differences in the two conditions. You should see a dermatologist for any rash that doesn’t go away with over-the-counter medicine, he says. There are multiple subtypes of psoriasis. But you can help limit the symptoms by getting proper treatment and taking good care of your skin, Dr. Fernandez says. That means your immune system becomes dysfunctional and chronically activated, resulting in skin changes. Psoriasis, on the other hand, usually shows up between ages 15 and 35. It makes skin more sensitive and more prone to infection. If youre not sure which condition you have, see your doctor to get an accurate diagnosis. Both conditions show up as skin inflammation (they look like rashes), according to dermatologist Anthony Fernandez, MD, PhD. While rashes can potentially represent a myriad of dermal ailments, two of the most common are eczema and psoriasis. Eczema is a combination of genetic and external factors, but the most common occurrence is usually a response to environmental or other external factors, say heat or exposure to products containing harsh chemicals. Eczema treatment depends on how severe it is. The differences lie between subtle signs that are When it comes to skin conditions, “rash” is a kind of catch-all term that is used to describe itchy outbreaks. Both are characterized by inflamed, red, or peeling skin with an abnormal texture. How You Can Tell When a Specialist Is Best, Why Topical NSAIDs Could Be a Safer Option to Relieve Your Arthritis Pain, What to Do When My Child (or a Kid in Their Class) Has Molluscum Contagiosum, 6 Health Benefits of Drinking Pickle Juice, Not in the First Wave to Get the COVID-19 Vaccine? It is common to see psoriasis on the face, buttocks, and scalp of a child. Eczema Here’s Why We All Need to Practice Vaccine Patience. While they are both skin conditions and sometimes look similar, they are caused by different things and are often treated differently. Psoriasis treatment is either systemic, which means it affects your entire body, or topical, which goes on your skin. Hives, also known as urticaria, is a sudden-onset skin reaction resulting in red or … Psoriasis shares some of these triggers, like stress and infection. But despite the rash similarities, there are some clear indicators that can help you spot psoriasis over eczema, or vice versa. The psoriasis rash itself also tends to be more raised above the skin’s surface compared to eczema. Key Differences – Eczema vs Hives The key difference between Eczema and Hives is that eczema is an inflammation of the skin, characterized by itching … Maybe you're settling into your easy chair for a little Sunday siesta. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Cleveland Clinic © 1995-2021. Although they may often seem similar, psoriasis has a darker, more leather-like appearance compared to a typically red eczema rash. And, in those cases, we will perform biopsies.”. Visually, it can sometimes be difficult to tell one condition from the other. Psoriasis can mimic other skin diseases. Although psoriasis most commonly occurs on the knees and elbows, it may occur anywhere. You may be able to control mild eczema by avoiding allergic triggers and keeping your skin moist. Policy. Psoriasis Symptoms vs. Eczema Symptoms Psoriasis and eczema have similarities. 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