The very first step in treating a skin problem is to pinpoint what exactly it is. If you go to a doctor, he/she will be the one who will diagnose you condition and give you the proper treatment for it. However, even though you have someone to do it for you, it is better if you get a clue of what possible skin disorder that you have. A lot of people confuse psoriasis with eczema and vice versa. Thus, to identify what skin condition you have, it is important that you know the differences between the two.
Eczema comes from the Greek term ekzein, meaning “to boil out.” It is an inflammation of the skin. Its symptoms include swelling, redness, dryness, flaking, and crustiness of the upper layers of the skin. Oozing and bleeding may be present. Red patches usually appear on the scalp, neck, face, and arms, but can manifest anywhere.
Like eczema, psoriasis is of Greek origin. It is derived from psoera, which means “to itch.” Psoriasis is a disease that affects the joints and the skin. Because of swelling and excessive skin formation, red scaly patches known as psoriatic plaques appear on the surface of the skin. Plaques frequently emerge on the knees and elbows, but they can appear anywhere, such as the genitals and scalp.
Around 5 percent of adults and 20 percent of children in the US and UK are afflicted with eczema. Psoriasis on the other hand, has lower occurrence rates, being 3 percent of adults and relatively rarer in children. As the figures show, eczema is more prevalent in children while psoriasis is often experienced more by adults in general.
Aside from age bracket, the two skin conditions also differ in the things that aggravate them. The exact causes of both have not yet been identified, but it is believed that certain factors increase the risk in contracting them. For eczema, skin irritants often cause it to set off. Skin irritants include substances with harsh chemicals, such as soaps, detergents, solvents, and perfumes. Allergens like dust, pollen, and animal hair may cause eczema flare-ups as well. Emotional stress may also worsen eczema. Psoriasis, on the other hand, is aggravated by stress, alcohol consumption, smoking, hormonal changes, and the intake of certain drugs. The difference is the two is that eczema is exacerbated by external irritants, while psoriasis is made worse by the habits or lifestyle of the person. However, both are similar in that they have a genetic component. Eczema and psoriasis have been found to occur more in people with a family history of the condition.
Eczema and psoriasis seem to be mutually exclusive to some extent, but this is not an absolute rule. Studies show that in persons suffering from psoriasis, the incidence of eczema is quite low compared to the general population. The suggested explanation is that the malfunction of the immune system in psoriasis is different from that of eczema.
There are many differences between eczema and psoriasis. However, you must get a proper diagnosis by an expert in order to be completely sure of the skin condition that you have and to be prescribed the proper therapy for it.
Eczema comes from the Greek term ekzein, meaning “to boil out.” It is an inflammation of the skin. Its symptoms include swelling, redness, dryness, flaking, and crustiness of the upper layers of the skin. Oozing and bleeding may be present. Red patches usually appear on the scalp, neck, face, and arms, but can manifest anywhere.
Like eczema, psoriasis is of Greek origin. It is derived from psoera, which means “to itch.” Psoriasis is a disease that affects the joints and the skin. Because of swelling and excessive skin formation, red scaly patches known as psoriatic plaques appear on the surface of the skin. Plaques frequently emerge on the knees and elbows, but they can appear anywhere, such as the genitals and scalp.
Around 5 percent of adults and 20 percent of children in the US and UK are afflicted with eczema. Psoriasis on the other hand, has lower occurrence rates, being 3 percent of adults and relatively rarer in children. As the figures show, eczema is more prevalent in children while psoriasis is often experienced more by adults in general.
Aside from age bracket, the two skin conditions also differ in the things that aggravate them. The exact causes of both have not yet been identified, but it is believed that certain factors increase the risk in contracting them. For eczema, skin irritants often cause it to set off. Skin irritants include substances with harsh chemicals, such as soaps, detergents, solvents, and perfumes. Allergens like dust, pollen, and animal hair may cause eczema flare-ups as well. Emotional stress may also worsen eczema. Psoriasis, on the other hand, is aggravated by stress, alcohol consumption, smoking, hormonal changes, and the intake of certain drugs. The difference is the two is that eczema is exacerbated by external irritants, while psoriasis is made worse by the habits or lifestyle of the person. However, both are similar in that they have a genetic component. Eczema and psoriasis have been found to occur more in people with a family history of the condition.
Eczema and psoriasis seem to be mutually exclusive to some extent, but this is not an absolute rule. Studies show that in persons suffering from psoriasis, the incidence of eczema is quite low compared to the general population. The suggested explanation is that the malfunction of the immune system in psoriasis is different from that of eczema.
There are many differences between eczema and psoriasis. However, you must get a proper diagnosis by an expert in order to be completely sure of the skin condition that you have and to be prescribed the proper therapy for it.