Clash of Skin Conditions: Atopic Dermatitis versus Psoriasis
Suffering from skin issues that make your dermis an itchy battlefield? You're not alone! Atopic dermatitis (eczema) and psoriasis are two common chronic skin conditions. But while they may share similar symptoms, understanding the differences can help you get your skin back on track.
Here's what you need to know to tell atopic dermatitis and psoriasis apart:
Atopic dermatitis vs. psoriasis
Let's break it down:
- Symptoms: Eczema often triggers thick, dry, reddish or purplish, and itchy skin. These itchy patches tend to thrive in the creases of your arms and legs. Psoriasis, on the other hand, might also cause similar symptoms but can also involve silvery scales and often shows up on your elbows or knees. Severe types of psoriasis can even lead to nail lifting, swollen or tender joints, and changes to your nails.
- Treatments: Both eczema and psoriasis responses well to care for your skin, avoiding harsh chemicals, and using soothing, nonirritating ingredients. Over-the-counter meds can provide instant relief, while oral antihistamines or topical corticosteroid creams can help soothe itching and reduce inflammation. If home remedies don't work, your doc may prescribe phototherapy, biologic drugs, retinoids, or alternative treatments. Psoriasis can be treated with prescription medications like cyclosporine or apremilast.
- Causes: Researchers are yet to uncover the exact causes of eczema and psoriasis, but both conditions appear to have a genetical link, and stress may play a role. Some scientists suggest that psoriasis could be an autoimmune condition, but more research is needed.
Symptoms
Now, here's what to expect from each condition:
Atopic dermatitis
Symptoms of eczema can range from mild to severe. Common symptoms include:
- scaling skin
- sensitive skin
- skin infections
- thickened skin
- intense itchiness
- crusty patches of skin
- deep lines in the palms
- discolored, swollen skin
- raw, oozing, or bleeding skin
These symptoms can pop up anywhere on the body, with flare-ups being more common in the neck, face, eyelids, hands, back of knees, and inside of elbows in adults.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis comes in different forms, each presenting unique symptoms:
- The most common type, plaque psoriasis, causes thick, reddish patches of skin accompanied by silvery scaling. These patches can be itchy, disturbing, and painful.
- Other forms like psoriatic arthritis, nail psoriasis, pustular psoriasis, inverse psoriasis, or guttate psoriasis can lead to nail pitting, extremely sore skin, pus-filled bumps, rough, crumbling nails, morning joint stiffness, tender or swollen joints, smooth, raw red patches, small reddish bumps on the skin, or discoloration of one or more nails.
In severe cases, erythrodermic psoriasis can lead to symptoms like extremely itchy and painful skin that flakes off in large pieces, red, scaly skin covering large areas of the body, reddish skin that resembles a severe burn, fever, chills, rapid pulse, and muscle weakness.
Photos
For a clearer understanding, check out photos comparing atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.
Treatments
Currently, there's no cure for atopic dermatitis or psoriasis, but there are plenty of treatment options available to help manage symptoms:
Atopic dermatitis
Minor symptoms can often be addressed at home with a solid skincare regimen, including emollients, gentle soap-free cleansers, UV light therapy, topical calcineurin inhibitors, oral antihistamines, corticosteroid creams, antibacterial creams, Dupilumab, and other prescription medication options.
Psoriasis
Treatments for psoriasis depend on the type and severity of symptoms. Options include various biologic medications, topical or oral retinoids, topical steroid creams, OTC corticosteroid creams, coal tar soaps or shampoos, phototherapy or light therapy, vitamin D creams, oral medications like antihistamines, cyclosporine, or apremilast, and more.
Causes
Researchers are still trying to determine the exact cause of atopic dermatitis and psoriasis:
Atopic dermatitis
About 2 to 3 percent of adults and up to 25 percent of kids in the US have atopic dermatitis. Possible causes and triggers include genetics, emotions, other conditions, chemicals, and climate.
Psoriasis
Approximately 7.5 million people in the US have psoriasis. Some experts think it could be an autoimmune condition, but further research is necessary. Psoriasis can be triggered by stress, tobacco use, cold or dry weather, heavy alcohol consumption, infections, injuries, and certain medications.
When to see a doctor
Both atopic dermatitis and psoriasis are chronic conditions without a cure, but flare-ups and OTC solutions may allow you to avoid breakouts. If symptoms are impacting your life, it's crucial to consult a doctor. Let them know if you have open wounds, oozing sores, inflamed joints, scaling skin, or pus-filled bumps. They can recommend medication and suggest treatments to help you manage your symptoms.
tl;dr
Atopic dermatitis and psoriasis share similarities as chronic skin conditions causing scaling, crusting, red, swollen, itchy, or painful skin. Eczema is more likely to affect areas prone to bending, whereas psoriasis is more commonly found on elbows, knees, and the scalp. While there's no cure, proper care and various treatment options can help manage symptoms.
- Atopic dermatitis (eczema) often leads to thick, dry, and itchy skin, especially in the creases of arms and legs, while psoriasis might also cause similar symptoms but can also involve silvery scales and often shows up on the elbows or knees.
- Symptoms of eczema can range from mild to severe, including scaling skin, sensitive skin, skin infections, thickened skin, intense itchiness, crusty patches of skin, deep lines in the palms, discolored, swollen skin, raw, oozing, or bleeding skin.
- Psoriasis comes in different forms, such as plaque psoriasis, causing thick, reddish patches of skin accompanied by silvery scaling, or pustular psoriasis, leading to nail pitting, extremely sore skin, pus-filled bumps, and more.
- Both atopic dermatitis and psoriasis can lead to stiffness, nail issues, and joint problems in severe cases, but while eczema might be more related to genetics and emotions, psoriasis could be an autoimmune condition.
