For the casual observer, the difference between eczema and psoriasis can be something that’s difficult or impossible to determine. Both are skin disorders that lead to a red, scaly rash, oftentimes on the body’s extremities. The best way to determine eczema vs. psoriasis is to visit a qualified health care professional, but there are a few pointers to keep in mind that can help a person make some sort of educated guess as to which disease is afflicting him or her. Both psoriasis and eczema tend to affect the neck, hands, or feet. They create red lesions but psoriasis tends to be larger and drier.
Eczema, on the other hand, can create a moister, oozing environment as part of the rash. This is one way to tell eczema vs. psoriasis in most cases. If there is any sort of pus or oozing occurring, chances are it’s eczema. Another thing to look for is the placement of the sores. While this won’t always be the case, in general psoriasis has a tendency to afflict more external parts of the body, such as the outside of the elbows and front of the knees. Eczema, by contrast, likes the warmer inner areas, including the inside of the elbows and back of the legs.
Unfortunately for those trying to determine whether their break-out is eczema vs. psoriasis, if the rash is on the hands and feet, it can be almost impossible to tell them apart. Many times there is a fungal infection that accompanies with these two diseases, and in fact, a person could be experiencing all three of them at the same time, making diagnosis extremely difficult. Even qualified doctors can sometimes have a difficult time at first glance, which is why a biopsy is usually needed to make any sort of definitive diagnosis.
Why care about the differences between Psoriasis and Eczema?
It’s important to make this distinction between eczema vs. psoriasis for treatment purposes. It’s best to find out what is causing the rash, in order to treat it and give some sort of relief to the itching or burning that occurs as a result of either one of these afflictions. However, in a pinch, there are some treatments that do work for both, including topical steroid creams. If you really cannot tell the difference and need relief as quickly as possible, this is a safe bet that will reduce the symptoms of both psoriasis and eczema.
Our son had serious Eczema for the first three years of his life and it was so awful for all of us – but mostly him. He could not sleep at night and could only eat chicken, peas and rice wince everything seemed to aggravate his skin condition. After taking him to many allergists, trying many creams and meds we just could not get any helps for this. We began trying herbs and still nothing. Finally someone recommended the Bellyboost probiotics and we really wanted to give it a try. It turned out to be our miracle. He quickly began getting better and better and is now a healthy and happy boy with hardly any Eczema left – and he can eat! I highly recommend this to others affected by these types of skin conditions!!!