Eczema and Psoriasis are two skin conditions that are commonly confused with each other, but they are different in many ways. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease, while eczema is not an autoimmune disease but can be related to allergies. To make it more confusing, psoriasis can often look like eczema which is why they can both be misdiagnosed by medical experts.

Although they can look alike, eczema on a person’s body typically manifests as dry, red patches on the skin. Psoriasis is characterized by raised lesions on the surface of the skin with a silvery-white appearance and is sometimes accompanied by scaling. Eczema usually involves one area of the body whereas psoriasis may involve several different areas.

 

 

 

What is Eczema?

 

Eczema is an inflammation of the skin caused by gut health issues, allergies or other irritants. When people have eczema, their skin usually becomes red, dry, itchy, and cracked. Eczema is not contagious and mainly affects the face, feet, hands, and elbows, but some people have eczema on their whole body. There are many different treatments for eczema depending on the severity of the symptoms.

Eczema-prone skin doesn’t retain moisture very well and becomes dry more easily. This causes chemicals to be released which makes the irritation worse and causes your skin to itch like crazy. But when you scratch to relieve the itch, it only makes your skin itchier, causing a repetitive cycle that is very frustrating. 

 

 

 

How to Treat Eczema:

 

Currently, there is no known cure for eczema but there are ways to stop it from recurring. In order to decrease the number of eczema flare-ups you have, you must treat your skin properly in order to stop it from getting worse. You must moisturize your skin at least twice every day and use eczema-safe lotions Waxelene’s Multi-Purpose Ointment or Calming Ointment. 

Remember to address your gut health. The gut-brain connection has been researched extensively in recent years. It’s been discovered that there is a link between gut health and eczema outbreaks. This research has led to new treatment options for people with eczema, like probiotics and diet changes. 

 

 

If you think your skin is trying to communicate a gut imbalance you should begin by speaking to your detector, dermatologist, or naturopath. They may recommend a specific elimination diet to find out which foods are causing your skin to become inflamed. This is a good opportunity to get your gut bacteria back in balance regardless. 

 

 

What is Psoriasis?

 

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that starts in your genes which causes skin cells to grow too quickly and pile up on top of each other, which can result in patches of red, scaly skin. It can be a very difficult and painful experience for those who suffer from it. There are plenty of treatments that can be used, but it is important to find the one that works best for you.

Psoriasis is not contagious and symptoms can differ from person to person. It has been known to cause dents and discoloration of the nails. Some people also get small, drop-shaped sores on the chest, arms, legs or scalp. Some people even experience swollen, painful joints!

 

 

 

Some people with psoriasis may suffer from what’s known as plaque psoriasis which affects the soles of the feet, hands, and elbows. It can also affect other parts of the body. The skin becomes red and thickened with patches of silvery scales. The cause of plaque psoriasis is not known but it is thought to be due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Applying a thick layer of the Multi-Purpose Ointment daily will help to rehydrate dry areas.

 

How To Treat Psoriasis:

 

The two most common treatments are phototherapy and psoralen ultraviolet A (PUVA). These treatments both use special light directed at the skin to reduce inflammation and clear away scales, respectively.

Phototherapy is a treatment for psoriasis that uses ultraviolet light. It can be done outside, inside on specially-designed equipment, or inside on an artificial light source. It’s also called UVB therapy. Psoralens are medication that is applied to the skin first before the treatment.

 

 

psoralen ultraviolet A (PUVA) is a treatment for severe psoriasis. This treatment requires the patient to sit in UV light after being injected with a drug called psoralen, in order to eradicate their skin lesions. Psoralens are plant-derived substances that when combined with UVA, create a chemical reaction that kills the abnormal skin cells responsible for psoriasis.

Psoriasis may also be treated with topical medications such as corticosteroids or coal tar, which help reduce inflammation and pain by reducing the growth of cells in the top layer of skin and trapping fluid between layers.

 

Other Skin Conditions That Look Similar:

 

If you are reading this article with the purpose of identifying a mystery rash you may want to consider the other possibilities before self-diagnosing yourself with eczema or psoriasis. Here is a list of some other skin conditions that can be mistaken for eczema and psoriasis.

Hives can appear as round, red or pink welts and they may be either small or large. They can either show up alone or in a big group. Hives usually last just a few hours and itch. Unlike eczema, they’re short-lived and should go away within 24 hours. However, new hives can show up too, which might continue for weeks or longer. They also differ in that they can cause swelling of your lips or other areas on your body where they are found.

 

 

Allergies can cause some people’s eczema to flare up due to allergens like pet dander and dust mites. But lots of things can trigger eczema, including certain fabrics, soaps, and detergents. That means allergies may not be the reason your symptoms get worse.

 

 

Ringworm, one of the most common types of fungal infections, can be passed to other people by direct contact with an infected person’s skin. This contagious infection is characterized by ring-shaped patches that will slowly enlarge on any part of your body. On lighter skin, these itchy patches might look pink or red. On darker skin, they might appear brown or gray. Ringworm patches usually have a wavy, raised border, but the center clears up first with treatment.

 

 

Acne is a skin condition that can take several forms, including Whiteheads, pimples, blackheads, nodules, or cysts. It is possible to have both eczema and acne at the same time, but usually not in the same area of the body. Eczema can be confused with acne, although the two are different.

 

 

Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma is the most common form of this rare form of blood cancer. It has an early stage that can look like eczema. As it can also cause red, inflamed skin that itches badly. If you have a rash that doesn’t seem to be getting better or that seems like it could be more serious than eczema, see a dermatologist just for peace of mind.

 

 

Netherton’s disease is a rare skin, hair, and immune system disorder. Symptoms that are first present at birth include red, scaly skin. Some of the other symptoms include outbreaks of red, circular scales, thin or fragile hair, and immune reactions such as hay fever, asthma, itchy skin, and eczema. 

 

 

In conclusion, eczema and psoriasis are two different conditions that have different causes and treatments. Just because eczema and psoriasis are chronic skin conditions that can cause severe discomfort, a positive diagnosis is not the end of the world. There are many treatment methods out there, and there is plenty of information and support available for anyone struggling with their skin.

Remember, your skin plays a vital role in keeping you alive. Return the favor and give it some TLC with Waxelene. All skin is beautiful skin!