Psoriasis Vs. Eczema
Millions of people in the United States suffer from two main types of skin disorders--eczema and psoriasis. Some of the differences between eczema and psoriasis are summarized below. This is not a tool for self-diagnosis, however; if you are experiencing an uncomfortable and itchy rash that doesn't seem to go away, make an appointment to see your local healthcare provider.
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Symptoms of Eczema
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There are many different types of eczema, also commonly known as dermatitis. It often appears in infancy or early childhood. Common symptoms include red, itchy skin, tiny red bumps and a rash that feels rough to the touch.
Symptoms of Psoriasis
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Psoriasis is different from eczema in that it is an inflammatory condition that has an internal cause, as opposed to eczema's external cause. Symptoms commonly include patches of raised red skin, a thick coating of silvery scales, and bleeding or "weeping" when scale crust is removed.
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Psoriatic Arthritis
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Because psoriasis is an inflammatory condition, psoriasis can also cause widespread joint pain, and a small percentage of people with psoriasis also suffer from psoriatic arthritis.
Aggravating Factors for Eczema
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Eczema can often be aggravated by environmental factors such as sun exposure, excessive heat or cold, hormonal factors, perfumes and dyes, and certain foods.
Aggravating Factors for Psoriasis
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Even though psoriasis is caused by inflammation within the body, it can also be aggravated by outside factors, including extreme heat or cold, perfumes and dyes. It is also aggravated by the sufferer scratching the inflamed areas on the skin. Scratching stimulates additional growth of the silvery scale tissue on the rash and only makes things worse for the sufferer.
Treatment Options
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Relief for both eczema and psoriasis can include medicated baths with baking soda or oatmeal, corticosteroid creams and UV light treatments.
Psoriasis specifically seems to respond well to topical creams containing a percentage of coal tar.
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References
- Photo Credit beatpsoriasis.com/dermatitis.htm, http://eczemainfo.net/
