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Are Eczema and Psoriasis Treated the Same Way? Key Differences


Despite being two different skin conditions, psoriasis and eczema can sometimes be confused since they have overlapping symptoms like itching and redness. This raises an essential question: Are psoriasis and eczema treated the same way?

Effective therapy requires an understanding of the distinctions between these conditions. Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition characterized by a high rate of skin cell turnover; on the other hand, eczema, particularly atopic dermatitis, is often caused by surrounding allergens and irritants that cause an immune system overreaction (WebMD, 2024, How can I tell if it’s psoriasis or eczema?; National Eczema Association, 2022, Is it eczema or psoriasis?). These differences have a substantial impact on each condition's symptoms as well as the approaches taken to therapy.

Are Eczema and Psoriasis Treated the Same Way?

While psoriasis and eczema may have some overlapping treatments, their management differs based on severity and underlying causes (Medical News Today, 2023, Psoriasis vs. eczema: Differences in symptoms and treatment).

Eczema treatment focuses on hydrating the skin and avoiding irritants, whereas psoriasis often requires systemic medications, light therapy, or emollients for symptom relief, especially in severe cases (Penn Medicine, 2022, Eczema vs. psoriasis: Similarities, contrasts and treatment).

Understanding these differences is key to developing the most effective treatment plans for each condition. The next sections display key similarities and separated characteristics between eczema and psoriasis.

Similarities of Eczema and Psoriasis

Psoriasis and eczema share some symptoms, which can lead to confusion. While psoriasis is an autoimmune condition, eczema involves an overactive immune response but is not strictly autoimmune. These similar medical conditions display common signs such as skin redness, inflammation, and itchiness (WebMD, 2024, How can I tell if it’s psoriasis or eczema?; Penn Medicine, 2022, Eczema vs. psoriasis: Similarities, contrasts and treatment).

Furthermore, environmental factors, skin injuries, and stress can all cause either disease. There may also be a hereditary tendency if certain disorders run in the family (Medical News Today, 2023, Psoriasis vs. eczema: Differences in symptoms and treatment).

Both illnesses may need comparable treatment strategies to reduce symptoms and control flare-ups, according to WebMD (2024) and Penn Medicine (2022).

5 Differences Between Eczema and Psoriasis

Eczema and psoriasis feature these 5 distinct differences that are crucial for diagnosis and treatment.

Causes

Eczema is often linked to genetic variations that affect the structure of the skin barrier, making it more susceptible to irritants and allergens. In contrast, The main cause of psoriasis stems from an overactive immune system which accelerates skin cell production causing thick and scaly patch buildups (Penn Medicine, 2022, Eczema vs. psoriasis: Similarities, contrasts and treatment).

Symptoms

Eczema symptoms include severe itching and oozing lesions that may form crusts. Psoriasis may cause burning or stinging sensations, but it is not always itchy or significantly uncomfortable (WebMD, 2024, How can I tell if it’s psoriasis or eczema?).

Appearance

The National Eczema Association (2022) highlights that eczema typically appears as red dry areas with poorly defined edges whereas psoriasis produces well-defined plaques that are thickened with silvery or white scales. However, how these conditions appear can vary based on skin tone. For example, in individuals with lighter skin, psoriasis may appear red or pink, whereas in darker skin tones, it often looks violet. Eczema, on the other hand, may appear as a raised, rough patch that is red on lighter skin and violet on darker skin.


On light skin, psoriasis typically appears red or pink (left), while on dark skin, it often presents as violet (right). (Image source: https://www.aad.org/)


Eczema appears as raised, rough patches, red on lighter skin (left) and violet on darker skin (right). (Image source: https://www.aad.org/)

Age

Both eczema and psoriasis can affect individuals of all ages. However Medical News Today (2023) reports that eczema often develops in children and tends to improve with time, whereas psoriasis is a chronic condition that typically appears between ages 15 and 35.

Location

Eczema commonly affects flexural areas, such as the inner elbows and the backs of the knees. In contrast, psoriasis typically appears on the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back. (Penn Medicine, 2022, Eczema vs. psoriasis: Similarities, contrasts and treatment; WebMD, 2024, How can I tell if it’s psoriasis or eczema?).

Treatment of Eczema and Psoriasis

Both conditions require a tailored approach that takes individual triggers and skin types into account. Here are treatments for managing eczema and psoriasis symptoms and preventing flare-ups.

Treatment for Psoriasis

According to Medical News Today (2023) and WebMD (2024), changes in lifestyle can help manage psoriasis.

  • Manage stress by practicing mediation

  • Follow a consistent, proper skincare routine, including showering with warm water and applying moisturizer daily.

  • Get enough sleep for healthy skin

  • Engage in some exercise like yoga. Combine this with Liverty Dynamic Drops to promote your liver and liver function, reducing the psoriasis symptoms.

They also show that, when attempting to prevent flare-ups, patients should stay away from triggers, including smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and harsh weather.

Controlled UV light therapy can effectively reduce inflammation and promote skin healing.

Treatment for Eczema

You can prevent eczema from flaring up by these simple yet effective approaches (Penn Medicine, 2022, Eczema vs. psoriasis: Similarities, contrasts and treatment; National Eczema Association, 2022, Is it eczema or psoriasis?).

  • Maintaining a strong skin barrier requires regular moisturization to prevent dryness.

  • Avoid exposure to items that trigger flaring including particular wool or synthetic fabrics, harsh soaps, fragrances in cosmetics, and contact allergies.

  • Stress management with mindfulness along with relaxation exercises is essential.

Phoilex offers a botanically derived, steroid-free solution for eczema and psoriasis, providing gentle yet effective relief.

  • Active ReLeaf Spot Gel provides instant relief with our Phyto-Active Blend™, soothing itchy skin, reducing redness, and supporting the structure and integrity of the skin barrier. Each natural ingredient in this blend plays a deliberate role in promoting skin health and vitality; effectively addressing wounds and redness.

  • Liverty Dynamic Drops target internal inflammation; a major trigger for psoriasis and eczema, supporting healthier skin from within. This formulation protects against oxidative damage, promoting optimal liver function.

  • Dynamic ReLeaf Duo combines Active ReLeaf Spot Gel and Liverty Dynamic Drops to soothe itching, redness, and inflammation in eczema and psoriasis, providing relief for up to 12 hours.

Soothe and Protect Your Skin with Phoilex Today

Is eczema and psoriasis treated the same? Eczema and psoriasis are distinct conditions requiring targeted treatment approaches. While both can result in red and itchy skin, they differ in their underlying causes, symptoms, and management strategies. Phoilex offers effective, non-steroidal products designed for these skin issues, especially eczema and psoriasis. Find out how Phoilex products can quickly provide effective skin calming now.

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