Psoriasis and eczema are both skin conditions that have similar symptoms, including skin irritation and inflammation. Some kinds can cause discolored or hyperpigmented skin.
The symptoms of psoriasis and eczema may look the same, but they have different causes.
Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes skin cells to build up and become inflamed, while eczema refers to a group of inflammatory skin conditions usually caused by reactions to irritants, allergens, or triggers.
These skin conditions also don’t always appear at the same time. For instance, psoriasis is more common when you’re an adult, while eczema tends to show up more frequently in children.
Check out our gallery below to learn how to spot different types of psoriasis and eczema and how to tell them apart based on their unique symptoms.
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Contains Sensitive ContentPsoriasis is an autoimmune condition in which T-cells, a type of white blood cell,
This causes skin cells to build up too quickly, leading to thick, discolored, and raised plaques to develop on the skin.
It’s thought that psoriasis is a genetic condition linked to the specific human leukocyte antigen gene.
There are
- Plaque psoriasis results in patches of inflamed, scaly skin that are white or silver in appearance. It typically appears on the scalp, knees, or elbows.
- Pustular psoriasis shows up as large areas of reddish or purplish inflamed skin covered in white blisters filled with pus. It’s most common on your feet or hands.
- Inverse psoriasis causes skin inflammation that looks shiny and reddish, or shiny and violet or brown in darker skin tones. It’s common in areas like your armpits and groin.
- Nail psoriasis shows up as grooves or pits, as well as noticeable changes in color in your fingernails or toenails. You may also see what looks like blood underneath the nails.
- Guttate psoriasis results in spots that look pinkish on lighter skin tones or purplish on darker skin tones. The spots are usually not as scaly or thick as those of other psoriasis types. It usually appears on the legs, arms, or torso.
- Erythrodermic psoriasis causes severe, burned-looking skin that’s widespread and may result in large areas of skin peeling off. This type may also cause a fever.
- Scalp psoriasis shows up as itchy, scaly patches of skin on your scalp that may look pink, red, dark brown, or purple.
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Contains Sensitive ContentEczema is a skin condition that’s caused by a reaction to an irritant, allergen, or other trigger. It usually causes a dry, inflamed rash that’s characterized by
The exact cause of eczema isn’t fully understood, but it’s
Eczema has also been associated with the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and a genetic mutation of filaggrin, a gene used to make proteins.
Some of the most common types of eczema include:
- Atopic dermatitis, the most common type of eczema, causes large, discolored rashes or clusters of small bumps that can ooze fluid if you scratch them too much.
- Contact dermatitis causes skin to become irritated, discolored, and scaly after exposure to an irritant like chemicals or certain metals. Blisters full of fluid may leak and leave crusts behind.
- Dyshidrotic eczema results in itchy blisters filled with fluid on your feet or hands. Your skin may also become scaly or cracked.
- Seborrheic dermatitis causes oily, scaly areas of skin around the scalp, upper back, or nose that shed flakes. It’s called cradle cap when it happens to young children.
- Neurodermatitis causes scaly patches of itchy skin on numerous parts of the body. If you scratch them too much, they may bleed, increasing your risk of infection.
- Nummular eczemaresults in itchy, scaly, round spots on the skin. It’s common after being bitten by an insect or reacting to an irritant, such as chemicals.
- Stasis dermatitis shows up as itchy, swollen skin around your legs. It’s especially common if you have varicose veins.
- Hand eczema causes rashes, blisters, and cracked or discolored skin on hands and wrists. It may be linked to one of the other types, such as atopic or contact dermatitis.
Here are some tips on telling psoriasis and eczema apart.
| Psoriasis | Eczema | |
|---|---|---|
| Common symptoms | thick, raised, scaly skin plaques | dry, scaly, itchy skin |
| Colors | red, purple, or white, depending on skin tone | reddish or darkened skin, depending on skin tone |
| Average age of onset | 2 months to 5 years old | |
| Goes away on its own? | no | often by adolescence, or by avoiding triggers if it’s contact dermatitis |
| Common locations | knees, navel, elbows, feet, hands, legs, and arms | face, neck, hands, and the folds of arms or knees |
Consider connecting with a healthcare professional if you have any of the following symptoms:
- extreme pain, itching, or discomfort that makes it hard to sleep or do daily tasks
- irritated patches of skin that spread beyond where they start
- pus that looks white or discolored
- crusting around old blisters that results in scarring or skin damage
- frequent flare-ups of symptoms
- skin irritation or inflammation that doesn’t get better with over-the-counter creams or ointments
- fever along with skin symptoms
You may also want to contact a doctor if you notice symptoms after you have sex with a partner who may have received a diagnosis of herpes, especially if symptoms appear around your mouth or genital area.
Psoriasis and eczema may have similar symptoms, but there are many different types with symptoms that you may be able to learn to recognize.
Contact a doctor if you have frequent and severe flare-ups of these symptoms that disrupt your ability to sleep or do daily activities.
