Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis are common skin conditions that can bring discomfort to patients or embarrassment. These two skin conditions both develop as a result of poor immune system, and also share some symptoms and treatments, still there are significant differences between them.
While eczema increases the sensitivity of the skin cells to the environment, psoriasis alters the process of making them. Below are major difference between eczema and psoriasis. Doctors suspect that the cause of both of the conditions lies in the malfunctioning of the immune system. Although the process that causes immune malfunction in eczema is not perfectly understood, doctors have a proper understanding of the immune cell pathology that brings about psoriasis.
For psoriasis, the patient’s skin is attacked by the white bleed cells (T- cells) of the patient. This sets off a chain reaction that lead to the dilation of blood vessels and attraction of more white blood cells. The result of this is an increased production of skin cells that come to the surface too quickly. This process leads to a pile up of the skin or the scaly look common with psoriasis.
Difference in Symptoms
Psoriasis can occur in any part of the body (scalp, fingernails, and toenails etc.). Although eczema has the ability to affect anywhere on the body, it is more common on the ankles, face and chest, bends of the elbows, hands and feet, and the skin near the eyes. For psoriasis, the lesions that appear have a thick, silvery and scaly and lie on top of red patches. The affected nails become pitted and ridged. Other patients with psoriasis can develop arthritis. Eczema patients normally develop allergies or asthma. The patches that form take a red to brown color and at times with bumps that leak fluids. Both conditions are itchy, but eczema always peaks its itchiness at night.
Patients
Eczema mostly affects young children and infants. About 85 percent of eczema patients develop the condition when they are below five years of age, and that onset is uncommon after 30 years. Eczema continues into adulthood in about 50 percent of the patients. Eczema is more common with people living in cities or places with a dry climate. On the other hand, psoriasis mainly affects adults and has no relationship to environmental conditions.
Difference in Triggers
Eczema is mainly triggered by environmental factors such as itchy clothing, harsh soaps, solvents, and allergens. The trigger for Psoriasis is usually physiological which includes some medications, skin injuries, infections, drinking alcohol and smoking.
Difference in Treatments
Patients of either of the conditions benefit from corticosteroids that help decrease inflammation. Eczema patients can use antihistamines to control itching and inflammation. Which is not useful for psoriasis patients. Treatments that are specific for psoriasis patients include topical retinoids (derivatives of Vitamin A) and calcipotriene (an artificial form of Vitamin D).
These are some of the main difference between eczema and psoriasis. It is very easy to confuse these two conditions because of their fairly same appearance, but the truth is, there are differences.
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