Psoriasis and Eczema - What is The Difference?

If you are new to getting information about skin diseases you might be confused as to just what the difference between psoriasis and eczema is. Both are chronic skin diseases and share similar symptoms, but there are a number of difference between the two.

Psoriasis usually comes out as lesions on the skin that is thick, red, and scaly - but quite dry. Eczema is similar to this but can also appear moist and can ooze pus and fluids where psoriasis will not. Both of these conditions can effects the hands and feets and the neck and when the lesions are in these areas it can be difficult to tell them apart.  There are a few ways you can pick it though such as the fact that psoriasis tends to prefer the flatter exposed areas such as elbows and kneecaps while eczema appears on the inside of the elbow joints and back of the knees where it is moister for instance.

The hands and your feet are the most difficult areas to tell psoriasis and eczema apart. This is because the addition of some fungus can confuse things. Even a biopsy of hand and foot rashes can have an overlap which is confusing that causes pathologists to give a non-specific reading or report on these tests.

There is a tiny clue that is helpful for telling them apart on the hands though. Nails will show pitting with psoriasis where eczema and fungus will not.

Some treatments can work for both eczema and psoriasis but many do not, so it is important to really nail down (no pun intended form the previous paragraph!) just what skin condition you do have before you embark on a path to heal them!

Psoriasis

Eczema