Many people confuse eczema and psoriasis. I like to think they’re cousins because its all in the family of suffering. But there are key differences to look out for, especially it you think you may suffer from one.
Psoriasis
- overproduction of skin cells
- silvery-white scales appear
- linked to serious health conditions – diabetes, heart disease or depression (for some)
- never moist
- internal
- mostly starts later on in teen/adult life
- favors tough skin – such as knees and elbows
- feeling like your being bitten by fire ants
Eczema
- long term condition
- cause from a hypersensitivity reaction
- skin overreacts to triggers – dyes, fabrics, soaps, animals etc
- common in infants
- linked to asthma or hay fever (for some)
- most grow out of it after childhood/adulthood
- skin – peels, cracks, blisters and may fill with pus
- rarely see scaly dead skin
- internal and/or external
- favors sensitive areas – back of knees and elbows
Similarities
- autoimmune condition
- skin becomes inflamed, red and there is intense itching
- no cure
- not contagious
- may occur anywhere on the body
- discomfort
- itching leads to breaks in the skin – may lead to infections
- to see pictures, click on the sources
Sources – http://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/psoriasis-vs-eczema-pictures#1
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/psoriasis/psoriasis-or-eczema