Palmar Psoriasis Vs Hand Eczema

Severe And Pervasive Psoriasis

Like most skin conditions, psoriasis can become widespread and very irritating. For instance, plaque psoriasis may cover almost the entire surface of the body.

In extreme cases, inflammation can become so severe that it appears and feels like burns.

Extensive, highly painful, burn-like psoriasis can be life-threatening. This requires immediate attention from a health professional.

Other widespread psoriasis may simply require standard treatment to partially heal or resolve.

Psoriasis Vs Eczema On The Face

Psoriasis is typically found on elbows and knees, but a person with scalp psoriasis may find patches extending to the forehead, ears, and other areas close to the face. Eczema may also be found on the face and appears as scaly, dry patches without the silver scale. In both cases, there can be extreme itching and discomfort.

Psoriasis On Hands And Fingers

Psoriasis on hands or psoriasis on fingers is a common type of psoriasis. Many people develop patches of psoriasis on the back sides of their hands or in the fingers. Some people get it on their palms. Psoriasis on hands can cause peeling of the skin that becomes dry. Even normal routine tasks such as washing of the hands or picking up things in hands can cause pain. Psoriasis on fingers can be very discomforting particularly when washing hands etc.

Another form of psoriasis on hands is called nail psoriasis. Nail psoriasis causes the skin to produce too many cells under the nails. It can look similar to a fungal infection and can look like discoloration of the nails. Sometimes, nails may fall off the skin. Psoriasis on hands can be treated with topical and other treatments. But it cannot be cured permanently.

Read Also: Eczema On Hands And Wrists

Learning The Differences Between Eczema And Psoriasis

• Psoriasis causes well-defined, thick, red, scaly patches, commonly in areas like the elbows and knees. It is common to see psoriasis on the face, buttocks, and scalp of a child. Youll also commonly see thick patches of skin with overlying redness.

• Eczema tends to appear in the crooks of the knees and the elbows.

• Children who have psoriasis tend to have mild itching. In eczema, the itching can be intense.

• There are many ways for a dermatologist to tell the difference between eczema and psoriasis, including what one sees on the skin, the amount of itch, and where the disease appears on the skin.

What Causes Palmoplantar Psoriasis

The tendency to psoriasis is inherited, but what causes it to localise on the palms and soles is unknown. It may be triggered by an injury to the skin, an infection, or another skin condition such as hand dermatitis. It may first occur during a period of psychosocial stress. Certain medications, particularly lithium, may be associated with the onset of flares of psoriasis.

Psoriasis is more common, often more severe, and sometimes difficult to treat in patients that are obese, have metabolic syndrome, that drink excessive alcohol or smoke tobacco.

Recommended Reading: Grahams Natural Skin Eczema Cream Review

Why Does Eczema Appear On The Hands

There can be a variety of reasons why eczema appears on the hands. For example, the hands can be affected by irritant or allergic contact dermatitis or both at the same time.

Coming into contact with irritants such as dust, detergents, cleaning agents, airborne sprays or even just frequent hand-washing can cause irritant hand eczema . The skin on the palms of the hands is much thicker than elsewhere on the body and is normally able to withstand a great deal of wear and tear. But in people who regularly immerse their hands in detergents or solvents, the protective barrier of the skin breaks down, and eczema may develop. People who have this form of hand eczema often have a history of eczema in childhood.

Allergic hand eczema arises as a result of an allergic reaction to a particular substance in the environment. It is possible to be allergic to a number of different substances, but common causes of contact sensitivity include nickel, fragrances, preservative chemicals, rubber and various plants, amongst other things. Once a persons immune system has identified a substance as harmful, they will react to the substance every time their skin is exposed to it, and this reaction becomes more severe on every exposure to the allergen.

When an allergic reaction of this kind is suspected, your GP should refer you to a dermatologist, who will normally perform patch tests to try to identify the allergic cause.

Symptoms Of Psoriasis Vs Symptoms Of Eczema: What Do Psoriasis And Eczema Look Like

Eczema causes reddish skin and inflammation. The skin may become scaly with oozing blisters, or crusty skin. You can note rough patches like that of leather on the skin. These patches may become swollen.

Psoriasis may also have certain similar symptoms. Psoriasis may also cause red patches. They may also be scaly, sometimes silvery too. But, these patches caused due to psoriasis are slightly raised higher on the skin. The skin with psoriasis is thicker and more inflamed than that of eczema.

Also Check: Why Do I Have Eczema On My Arms

What Is The Reasons For Palmar And Plantar Psoriasis

Researchers arent sure of the cause of one of the different types of psoriasis however they recognize the fact that your immunity system is at play.

Certain risk factors could increase your chances of develop Psoriasis. There are other risk factors that could increase the risk of developing Psoriasis of the palmar or plantar type.

Treatment Of Eczema Vs Psoriasis

Both eczema and psoriasis are treated by modulating the immune system. Topical Corticosteroids are commonly used to treat both conditions. The effects of topical medications are mostly limited to the skin. In severe cases of eczema, it may be necessary to take systemic oral medications such as Methotrexate or Mycophenolate mofetil.Read more about eczema treatments.

Since psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease that can cause systemic symptoms and progressive joint damage, it is important to calm the immune system throughout the body to control inflammation and reduce autoimmune attacks on the skin and joints. Systemic treatments for psoriasis include immunomodulators such as Methotrexate and newer biologic drugs such as Enbrel , Humira , and Stelara , which are injected.

, or light therapy, may also be helpful in some cases of psoriasis or eczema.

Condition Guide

FAQs

Whats the difference between hives and eczema?Hives can be similar in appearance to eczema, with itchy red patches of skin on different parts of the body. However, hives are generally smoother in appearance and quickly disappear. Hives rarely bleed, and the onset can be sudden. Hives may occur once, may last for a short period over time or over months, or may be chronic. Hives are usually caused by an allergy.

Is there an eczema and psoriasis cream?There are several topical medications such as lotions, creams, and ointments that may be prescribed for either eczema or psoriasis.

Don’t Miss: Can A Blood Test Detect Eczema

What’s The Difference Between Eczema And Psoriasis

• Children get eczema. They can also get psoriasis.

• While more children develop eczema than psoriasis, almost 1% of children have psoriasis.

• Its not always easy to tell whether a child has eczema or psoriasis. A study conducted in Australia found that most children who had psoriasis were initially diagnosed by their primary care doctor as having another disease, often eczema.

• To a dermatologists trained eye, psoriasis and eczema tend to look quite different.

What Is Hyperkeratoticpalmardermatitis

Hyperkeratotic palmar dermatitis is a form of eczema in which there is thick scaling on the palms. Hyperkeratotic palmar dermatitis occurs without any obvious co-existing skin disease .

Hyperkeratotic palmar dermatitis is also known as hyperkeratotic hand eczema, hyperkeratotic eczema of the palms, and psoriasiform hand/palmar eczema.

Hyperkeratotic palmar dermatitis

You May Like: Skincare For Eczema And Acne

Diagnosis Of Psoriasis Vs Eczema

Psoriasis is usually diagnosed when a dermatologist performs a visual exam and takes your medical and family history. In some cases, the doctor may do a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. Read more details about psoriasis diagnosis.

Similarly, eczema is typically diagnosed by observing the skin and asking questions about medical and family history. A biopsy may also be done to help diagnose eczema. A patch test may be performed to see if the itchy rash is caused by an allergy to an external contact.

In some cases, genetic testing may be needed to differentiate between psoriasis and eczema.

These Are The Most Common Psoriasis Symptoms:

The most common type of psoriasis is plaque psoriasis, per the Mayo Clinic. The symptoms of plaque psoriasis are most often found on the scalp, elbows, knees, lower back, and genitals and may include:

• Raised, red patches of skin
• A silvery white coating of dead skin cells on top of those patches
• Itchiness
• Pain
• Cracking skin and bleeding

There are other, less common forms of psoriasis. Guttate psoriasis, which often begins in childhood or young adulthood and can be triggered by a strep infection, appears as small, droplike lesions. Inverse psoriasis shows up as a smooth, shiny, red rash in body folds, such as under the arms or breasts. Pustular psoriasis, which can present on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, is characterized by noninfectious, pus-filled blisters, according to John Hopkins Medicine. The most severe, and rarest, type of psoriasis is erythrodermic psoriasis, which results in widespread, fiery redness over most of the body. It can cause severe itching and pain, and if you think youre having an erythrodermic psoriasis flare-up, you should seek medical attention immediately.

Recommended Reading: Eczema On Private Area Female

The Differences Between Eczema And Psoriasis

• Treatment

Both eczema and psoriasis are chronic skin diseases that cause red, dry, scaly skin rashes. Although they share similar signs and symptoms, their underlying causes are different. As a result, the ways in which the diseases are treated can also differ sometimes significantly.

Given this, it is important that you get a formal diagnosis if you suspect eczema or psoriasis. Fortunately, there are ways your healthcare provider can differentiate the two diseases so that they can be treated appropriately and effectively.

Jessica Olah / Verywell

Both Diseases Start With The Immune System

Both psoriasis and eczema are related to your immune system. In psoriasis, you have an over-reactive immune system that affects a type of white blood cells that protect you from infections and diseases.

You develop eczema because of a hypersensitivity reaction that causes the skin to overreact to certain triggers or external conditions. It is also caused by a problem with your immune system, but in a different way than psoriasis.

Also Check: Dyshidrotic Eczema On Bottom Of Feet

Psoriasis Vs Eczema: What Is The Difference

• Key Difference – Atopic Dermatitis vs Eczema. Eczema is an inflammatory condition of the skin characterised by groups of vesicular lesions with a variable degree of exudates and scaling. There are different clinical varieties of eczema of which atopic dermatitis is one
• Scabies. It is a skin condition caused by an infestation by the itch mite . The mite can survive for 3 to 4 days without being on a human. Untreated, these mites can live on your skin for months. They reproduce on the surface of the skin and then burrow into it and lay eggs
• Dermoscopic clues of palmoplantar hyperkeratotic eczema

What Medications Are Used To Treat Psoriasis And Eczema

There are many ways to treat psoriasis and eczema. In fact, some of the same treatments are used for both conditions.

Topical treatments

Topical treatments are ones that you apply directly to the skin, like creams, gels, and ointments. Some topical treatments are available over the counter, while others need a prescription.

Corticosteroids are the most common topical treatments for both psoriasis and eczema. They reduce inflammation, which helps with redness and itching. They come in different strengths, ranging from weaker to very strong .

Other topical medication options for psoriasis include:

• Calcipotriene: helps to reduce inflammation, is chemically related to vitamin D, and is available in combination with a steroid in the medication betamethasone/calcipotriene

• Calcitriol: helps to slow down skin cell growth and is also related to vitamin D

• Tazarotene: helps to slow down skin cell growth and is chemically similar to vitamin A

• Zithranol: helps to slow down skin cell growth and is available as a cream or shampoo

These are other topical medication options for eczema:

• Tacrolimus andpimecrolimus: help reduce immune system activity, while not carrying the same risk of side effects that steroids have

• Eucrisa: blocks a specific protein that causes inflammation in atopic dermatitis

Stronger treatments

People with more severe eczema and psoriasis may need stronger treatments that work throughout the body. These are usually given as an oral pill or shot.

Also Check: Remedios Para Eczema En Bebes

Can Stress Exacerbate Psoriasis Or Eczema

Theres no doubt that living with psoriasis and eczema can be stressful, and their connection to stress has been widely discussed in the dermatology community.

Although experts often advise people with psoriasis and eczema to avoid stressful situations, a lot remains to be proven about exactly how stress can influence these conditions. A November 2017 meta-analysis in the British Journal of Dermatology evaluated 39 studies with more than 32,500 patients, concluding that no convincing evidence exists that preceding stress is strongly associated with psoriasis exacerbation/onset. As for eczema, an October 2017 study in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences reported that psychological stress may exacerbate atopic dermatitis, and it might be mediated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.

Just because science hasnt fully clarified the role stress plays in these conditions doesnt mean the link doesnt exist. Dr. Wu says hes seen patients experience stress-related psoriasis or eczema flare-ups in the past, and the AAD mentions stress when discussing both psoriasis and eczema.

Eczema Vs Psoriasis: Are They One And The Same

Recommended Reading: Best Places To Live With Eczema

Treatment For Hand Eczema

Severe hand eczema on the palms of an adult male

The best treatment for hand eczema is avoiding what caused it.

Knowing which substances trigger your hand eczema and protecting your hands at home and at work, can help guard your skin against further irritation. The most important thing to remember is to be consistent a daily routine for care and control is the best defense.

If you believe that a substance at home or at work is causing your hand eczema, your doctor can do a patch test to see which allergens or irritants may be the problem. Your doctor can also help pinpoint behaviors or practices that may be contributing to your hand eczema and help you find ways to modify or avoid them.

What Is The Differential Diagnosis For Hyperkeratotic Palmar Dermatitis

Several skin conditions may be confused with hyperkeratotic palmar dermatitis.

Palmar psoriasis

• Psoriasis-type scale is usually absent in hyperkeratotic palmar dermatitis .
• Hyperkeratotic palmar dermatitis is usually itchier than palmar psoriasis .

Irritant contact dermatitis

• Irritant contact dermatitis is excluded by a negative history of exposure to relevant irritants.
• Irritant contact dermatitis is usually less localised and not well-demarcated .

Allergic contact dermatitis

• Chronicallergic contact dermatitis of the hands presents as thickened, scaling, and fissured dermatitis that can be difficult to distinguish from hyperkeratotic palmar dermatitis .
• Patch testing may detect a relevant allergen, such as nickel, chromate, formaldehyde, methyldibromo glutaronitrile, and sesquiterpene lactone mix .

Atopic dermatitis

• Hyperkeratotic phases can occur in atopic hand dermatitis.
• Unlike atopic dermatitis, hyperkeratotic palmar dermatitis is circumscribed, and has a later age onset than atopic dermatitis .

Lichen simplex chronicus

• Lichen simplex is usually intensely itchy.
• Lichen simplex is more likely than hyperkeratotic palmar dermatitis to improve with topicalcorticosteroids .

Tinea infection

• It is often associated with tinea pedis and tinea unguium.
• Tinea results in diffuse scaling or flaking of the palm instead of circumscribed hyperkeratotic plaques .

Other conditions to consider include:

• Acrokeratosis paraneoplastica.

Also Check: Best Body Wash For Toddler Eczema