Eczema or Psoriasis?

[Wendy Green]

Hi Marianne,

If you have eczema your symptoms will depend on the type you've got, but these are the common signs:

Red, sore, swollen and inflamed skin.

Itching - if your skin doesn't itch you probably don't have eczema. Itching usually causes scratching which can make the inflammation worse and cause infection. Once infected the skin can crack and weep - which is known as 'wet eczema.'

Dry and scaly skin can be both a cause and an effect of eczema.

Blisters - usually on the hands and feet and due to an allergic reaction which causes fluid to build up in the skin tissues. The blisters can burst and weep and become crusty.

Thickened skin - chronic scratching can cause the skin to become thickened, leathery and scaly.

If you have psoriasis the rash will be less itchy and the thickened red or pink dry patches will have silvery scales and be raised up and clearly defined.

If you're still unsure which condition you're suffering from, I strongly recommend that you visit your GP, who'll be able to make a diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

Hope this helps.

Wendy

[Dr Anton Alexandroff]

Thank you for your question Marianne,

I agree with Wendy. Sometimes psoriasis and eczema can be difficult to tell apart by generally speaking psoriasis tends to have a more well defined patches. curiously enough psoriasis in translation means itch, and eczema in translation means 'boiling over/blisters' but both conditions may present with patches and eczema tends to be overall more itchy. I agree with Wendy that the best way is to ask your family doctor or your dermatologist.

if you would like to read more about psoriasis and eczema you can go to my webpage: www.alexandroff.org.uk

I hope this is helpful.
With best wishes,

Dr Anton Alexandroff MCP(UK) CCT(Dermatology) FAAD FRSM
Consultant Dermatologist in Leicester Spire and Nuffield Health Hospitals and University Hospitals of Leicester
Member of the British Association of Dermatologists
www.alexandroff.org.uk

twitter: your_skin_dr
Blog: http://privatehealthnews.co.uk/author/a-alexandroff/
blog/ information for patients: http://leicester-dermatologist.blogspot ... blogs.html