Psoriasis Or Eczema On Hands

The Differences In Appearances

Eczema makes your skin red and inflamed. It may be scaly, oozing, or crusty. You may see rough, leathery patches that are sometimes dark. It can also cause swelling.

Psoriasis can also cause red patches. They may be silvery and scaly — and raised. But if you look closely, the skin is thicker and more inflamed than with eczema.

Which Itch Is Your Itch

The best way to tell for sure if you have eczema or psoriasis is to get a diagnosis from our experts. Their years of training and clinical experience, plus the diagnostic tools we have on-site at our offices, means that you get an accurate diagnosis, so you can proceed with the most effective treatments available.

To find out whether you have psoriasis, eczema, or need to treat a different kind of itch, contact us today by calling your nearest office or using the online form.

You Might Also Enjoy…

Eczema Up And Down The Legs

Eczema on the legs may often occur in body creases, such as the back of the knee or the front of the ankle. These areas may trap sweat or irritants from clothing and the air.

Close contact of irritants with skin and areas of skin rubbing together create a perfect environment for atopic dermatitis to thrive.

If eczema on the backs of the knees isnt quickly or effectively treated, it can become very irritating and painful. Constant contact from clothing can cause significant bleeding, oozing, and infection.

Don’t Miss: Is Watermelon Good For Eczema

Irritant Or Allergic Contact Dermatitis

These are two other common kinds of eczema. They cause the same type of itchy, red, inflamed rash as atopic dermatitis. But the cause is an irritant or an allergen that comes in contact with your skin, often your hands or legs.

Poison ivy is the best-known allergen that can cause a reaction. But there are thousands of triggers. They include chemicals, fragrances, and metals. These forms of dermatitis come from the world around you, so if you can avoid your triggers, you can avoid the rash.

In severe cases, skin will blister, ooze, and scab over. But the symptoms go away with time. If you notice any scaling, it will be different from the thick silvery scales of psoriasis.

Stages Of The Disease

The following stages can be identified: aggravation is a progressive stage of the disease. It is characterized by an increase in the number and size of spots, increased itching and flaking.

Stationary stage it is characterized by the attenuation of the disease, change in the color of psoriatic plaques , as well as reduction of spots.

The stage of remission is characterized by complete disappearance of all the signs of psoriasis.

Don’t Miss: Can Eczema Be On Your Scalp

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.

Shingles: A Rash And Severe Pain That Lingers

Shingles is another viral infection that shares some symptoms with psoriasis. Like psoriasis, shingles can make your skin burn and itch and produces a red, blistered skin rash. Shingles is caused by the same virus that first brings on chickenpox. The virus stays in your body and can come back years later to cause shingles, especially during times of stress or infection. The skin rash of shingles follows the course of a single nerve, usually on the trunk. In some cases, severe pain lasts long after the burning, itchy rash disappears. Shingles is more common in people over age 50.

Don’t Miss: Does Castile Soap Help Eczema

Natural Remedies For Psoriasis & Eczema

Many people take biologic drugs that have anti-inflammatory actions on the body and reduce the symptoms of chronic inflammatory conditions that are auto-immune in nature. Im thinking of ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohns disease, psoriasis, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. These medications work well for some people who have an over-active immune system that is destroying its own tissue. If I could think of one negative it would be that they dont cure or eliminate the root cause of the self-attack. If there was another, these drugs suppress immunity.

Recently, a study published in JAMA Cardiology found that using some of these medications could have a beneficial impact on the cardiovascular system. More specifically, some might be good at reducing your risk of heart attack. This makes sense to me because after all, the drugs are reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines in the body, including the heart. Researchers concluded, Our findings add to the growing body of research that shows treating underlying inflammatory conditions may reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Again, no surprise there. And for the record, you can suppress inflammation in the body with many botanicals including boswellia, turmeric, ashwagandha, quercetin, resveratrol, astaxanthin and more. I have an article you might interested in, 5 Supplements for Beautiful Skin.

Biologic Drugs Suppress or Calm the Immune System infliximab guselkumab brodalumab

Whats The Difference Between Eczema And Psoriasis

Medical Review By: Ted Schiff, MD

If you have bothersome patches of itchy, red skin, you want relief. But first you need to know whats causing the problem. If youve ruled out insect bites, poison ivy and other types of allergic contact dermatitis, then eczema or psoriasis may be likely contenders. These skin problems can look somewhat alike at first glance, and some of the treatments overlap, but they are distinct conditions with different causes and triggers.

Eczema and psoriasis are both inflammatory skin conditions that run in families and involve the immune system. They often arise in childhood, though more cases of psoriasis begin in adulthood. Its possible to have both eczema and psoriasis.

The exact causes of eczema arent fully understood. People who get eczema may have a family history of eczema, asthma, hay fever or food allergies or sensitivities. The most common type of eczema is atopic dermatitis.

In plaque psoriasis, the most common type of psoriasis, the immune system goes into overdrive, causing new skin cells to develop much faster than normal. These cells pile up on the skins surface, causing bumpy, scaly patches called plaques. Psoriasis is linked with other inflammatory illnesses, including psoriatic arthritis, so getting an accurate diagnosis is important.

Below are some clues your skin care provider will use to tell the conditions apart.

Read Also: How Do You Know If Baby Has Eczema

What Is Erythrodermic Psoriasis

Erythrodermic psoriasis is a rare form of psoriasis associated with extreme inflammation, itching and pain that affects most of the body. Other symptoms include large sheets of shedding skin , an increase in heart rate, swelling due to fluid retention and significant changes in your body temperature. Its important to seek immediate medical attention if you’re experiencing a flare-up of erythrodermic psoriasis as it can lead to pneumonia or heart failure if left untreated.6

Eczema Symptoms On The Other Hand Are Similar But Different

Eczema is really the collective name for a group of conditions that cause the skin to become red, itchy, and inflamed. The most common form of eczema is atopic dermatitis, which is why when most people say eczema, they usually mean atopic dermatitis, Todd Minars, M.D., an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at University of Miami School of Medicine, tells SELF.

The American Academy of Dermatology calls atopic dermatitis the itch that rashes to emphasize how uncomfortable this conditions characteristic dry, red, scaly patches can be.

Symptoms of atopic dermatitis can include:

• Dry, itchy patches of skin
• Small red-to-brownish-gray raised bumps
• Cracked or scaly skin

Contact dermatitis is another kind of eczema, which can be caused by coming into contact with an allergen or an irritating substance, such as solvents, poison ivy, and detergents, the AAD says. The reaction typically affects the part of the body that touched the irritant, according to the Mayo Clinic. Its symptoms are redness or rash, burning or swelling, and blisters that may weep or crust over.

Dyshidrotic eczema is yet another form of this condition. It appears as small, itchy blisters on the edges of the fingers, toes, palms, and soles of the feet, and may be triggered by stress, allergies, or exposure to metals like nickel and cobalt, according to the Mayo Clinic. Symptoms include pain, itching, redness, flaking, and scaly, cracked skin.

Don’t Miss: Medicated Eczema Cream For Babies

Is It Eczema Or Psoriasis

You can get eczema or psoriasis, or you can get both. It can be tricky to tell them apart. They can even appear in the same places, like the elbows and the knees. One key way to tell the difference: the itch. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, children who get eczema tend to experience intense itching, while psoriasis is more likely to only cause mild itching.

Exploring The Treatment Options

Eczema and psoriasis are both long-term conditions that require long-term treatments. Treatment may depend on the severity of symptoms as well as the size and location of the affected area of skin. Common treatments include topical anti-inflammatories, hydrating skin creams, phototherapy, and biologic or systemic drugs to control the bodys inflammatory and immune responses.

In addition to discussing treatment options with your doctor, its important to avoid factors that may trigger or worsen your symptoms. Eczema may be worsened by wetness or allergies as well as certain cleansers, soaps, and detergents. Psoriasis flare-ups are more likely to follow injuries to the skin and can also be brought about by stress or infection.

The first step in resolving your skin issues is to talk to your doctor to receive a diagnosis. Though both eczema and psoriasis can be chronic, finding the right treatment may help relieve symptoms and reduce flare-ups.

Don’t Miss: Eczema Spot On Baby Face

Dry Scaly And Painful Hands Could Be Hand Eczema

Eczema or psoriasis? Managing eczema in summertimeNickel allergySevere atopic dermatitis

How to prevent and treat hand rashes

Hand rashes can be frustrating, especially when the cause of your rash is unknown. To help prevent a hand rash, dermatologists offer these tips.

Is the skin on your hands dry, thick, and scaly? Do you have deep, painful cracks on your hands that bleed? You may have more than dry skin. Hand eczema could be the culprit.

Hand eczema can cause the following:

• Dry, chapped skin

• Patches of red irritated skin

• Scaly and inflamed skin that may itch

• Burning sensation

• Bleeding or weeping skin

• Crusts, pus, and pain

Because it often looks like dry skin, hand eczema can easily be mistaken for dry skin. Unlike dry skin, you need more than a good moisturizer to get rid of hand eczema.

Psoriasis Vs Eczema On The Scalp

While both psoriasis and eczema on the scalp have commonalities such as itching and reddish skin, eczema does not usually appear as dry or with such thick scale. Additionally, eczema scales on the scalp have more of a whitish or yellowish hue versus the silvery one common in psoriasis. Read more about scalp psoriasis.

Also Check: Why Is My Eczema Spreading So Fast

Healing Eczema Psoriasis & Acne

If you deal with eczema, psoriasis, acne or other skin problems, you know how frustrating and debilitating these conditions can be and how difficult it can be to find solutions.

One big reason these skin conditions are so tricky is that there are actually more than 100 varieties of eczema and psoriasis, though the medical world doesnt know this yet. And the truth is, many other skin conditions are actually just different versions of eczema and psoriasis.

Another reason skin issues are so difficult is medical communities dont know what causes these conditions. I have respect for doctors and dermatologists who are doing their best to help, but until the root of the problem is known, it cant be fully addressed and lasting healing cannot happen. Read on and Ill share the true source of these problems as well as the solutions. This is all new information that I share in Liver Rescue: Answers to Eczema, Psoriasis, Diabetes, Strep, Acne, Gout, Bloating, Gallstones, Adrenal Stress, Fatigue, Fatty Liver, Weight Issues, SIBO & Autoimmune Disease to give you the opportunity to help your skinand your bodyheal deeply and completely. Its important to read Liver Rescue for a full explanation and understanding of how to help yourself heal.

The True Cause

How Skin Conditions Develop

Now you know that certain pathogens and toxins in the liver cause skin conditions, but you might be wondering where they came from.

Anthony William, Inc. – Disclaimer for Medical Medium Blog

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.

Also Check: What Is The Best Body Wash For Babies With Eczema

What Is Inverse Psoriasis

This type of psoriasis appears as extremely red, possibly shiny patches in the folds of your body, including under your arms, behind your knees and in the groin area. Due to the moisture in these areas, inverse psoriasis usually does not cause patches of scales, but because of how your skin rubs together in these areas, it is particularly prone to irritation. Inverse psoriasis is more common in overweight people with deeper skin folds4 and those who have this type of psoriasis may also have other forms of the condition.

Where They Show Up

Eczema often appears on parts of your body that bend, like your inner elbow or behind your knees. You can have it on your neck, wrists, and ankles. Babies sometimes get it on their chin, cheeks, scalp, chest, back, arms, and legs.

Psoriasis often shows up on places like your:

• Elbows

• Dandruff
• Some foods

Infections can start up eczema, and so can stress, sweating, heat, humidity, and changes in your hormones.

Psoriasis shares some of these triggers, like stress and infection. But you can also get flare-ups when your skin is injured, for example by:

• Vaccination
• Sunburn
• Scratches

Some medications can also bring on a psoriasis flare, like lithium, which treats bipolar disorder, or drugs for malaria.

Don’t Miss: What Should You Put On Eczema

What Causes Psoriasis Vs Eczema

These two skin problems have different causes and can appear in different stages of your life. Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that affects about 7.5 million Americans, according to the AAD. It happens when the skin cells go through their life cycle more quickly than normal. Typically, it takes about a month for skin cells to regenerate, but in people with psoriasis, this process happens every three to four days, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Psoriasis typically strikes when someone is between the ages of 15 and 35, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, but it can affect anyone at any age. What we do know is that psoriasis is immune-mediated, meaning there is some imbalance in the immune system, which leads to inflamed skin, dermatologist and National Psoriasis Foundation medical board member Jashin Wu, M.D., tells SELF. It tends to run in families, but there may not be straightforward patterns of inheritance. One well-known trigger is strep throat infections, but not all new cases of psoriasis result from strep throat.

Eczema is much more common than psoriasis. According to the most recent estimate available, more than 30 million Americans have some form of eczema.

The Causes Of Psoriasis On The Hands

Te exact cause of the appearance of psoriasis on the fingers, palms or other parts of the body has not been yet detected. However, medical research could find out the following risk factors for the development of the disease:

• hereditary predisposition
• stress
• type of skin it was found that people with dry skin type are the ones most often affected by psoriasis
• taking certain medications, for example, anticonvulsants, sedatives, antidepressants
• thyroid disease
• mechanical injuries of the skin cuts, scratches, etc.

The increased risk of the development of psoriasis refers to people who: smoke, abuse alcohol have excess body weight malnourished people.

Also Check: Ls Bl Cream For Eczema

Ringworm: Fungal Infections Of The Skin And Nails

Tinea is a type of fungal infection that resembles some symptoms of psoriasis. Psoriasis can cause the thick fingernails symptomatic of fungal nail infections, and both can cause red, itchy skin rashes. When tinea grows on your skin, it can cause a scaly, red skin rash that clears in the middle, called ringworm . Fungal infections of the skin and nails can be hard to treat. Antifungal medications work, but you may need to take them for a long time.

Causes Of Psoriasis Vs Eczema

Eczema and psoriasis are caused by overactivation of different inflammatory pathways within the immune system. The cause of psoriasis, while not completely understood, is an autoimmune reaction wherein the immune system responds to a trigger and recruits many inflammatory cells into the skin.

The cause of eczema is not clear, but it is thought to be an extreme sensitivity â sometimes caused by an allergy â to certain triggering substances. It may also be due to a defect in the proteins that form the barrier of the skin. Common triggers for eczema flare-ups include animals, fabrics, soaps, metals, and certain medications. In other words, psoriasis is caused when your immune system attacks itself, and eczema is caused when your immune system overreacts to an outside substance.

Also Check: Eucerin Eczema Relief Cream Walgreens