The affected skin can be red and dry with both.
But eczema can be very itchy, though psoriasis usually is not.
Psoriasis, on the other hand, tends to cause scaly plaques, while eczema causes bumps.
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It’s important to see a healthcare provider if you have skin symptoms.
Then you might be sure you start the treatment you need.
Symptoms of Eczema vs. Psoriasis
Eczema and psoriasis both cause patches of inflamed, dry skin.
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Usually, you experience repeated episodes of these symptoms over time, which are called flares.
It can be hard for the untrained eye to tell eczema and psoriasis apart because they can look alike.
In fact, eczema and psoriasis are commonly misdiagnosed as each other in babies and kids.
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However, a skin specialist (dermatologist) can easily see the differences between the conditions.
While eczema can also occur in these areas, its usually not as severe as it is with psoriasis.
However, only psoriasis causes little holes in your nails (pittingof the nail plate).
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This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
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For example, scaling is a major sign of psoriasis.
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You may have scaling if you have eczema, but it doesn’t always happen.
The itching from eczema can be severe.
That means thatinflammationin the skin leads to symptoms.
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However, the cause of the inflammation is different for each condition.
The cells trigger an inflammatory response to defend the body against infection.
With eczema, the inflammation causes cells in the lymph nodes to pump IgE into the bloodstream.
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The immune system suddenly sees normal skin cells as harmful and it attacks them by sending out T-cells.
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The T-cells target new (immature) skin cells calledkeratinocytes.
The inflammation makes the cells divide faster.
Usually, it takes 28 to 30 days for new cells to turn over.
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In psoriasis, they do so every three to five days.
Living with Plaque Psoriasis
What Triggers Eczema or Psoriasis?
For example, genetics and environmental triggers seem to play a role in both conditions.
Scientists are still trying to understand the role ofgenetics in psoriasisand eczema.
They know more about how certain things in a persons environment trigger these conditions or make their symptoms worse.
Eczema Triggers
Since eczema is related to IgE antibodies, common allergens cantrigger flares.
Stress is also a trigger for both conditions.
They might ask you about any medical conditions that run in your family.
Heres what they might see:
Treating Eczema vs.
Symptoms can be similar, but the causes and treatments for the conditions are different.
2014;32:227255. doi:10.1146/annurev-immunol-032713-120225
National Eczema Association.Eczema causes and triggers.
American Academy of Dermatology.Are triggers causing your psoriasis flare-ups?.
2017;7(1):123. doi:10.1007/s13555-016-0170-1
Cleveland Clinic.Psoriasis: Management and treatment.
2017;28(3):237-241. doi:10.1080/09546634.2016.1230173
Food and Drug Administration.Dupixent label.
