Confused Between Eczema And Psoriasis? So Were We…

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Confused Between Eczema And Psoriasis? So Were We…

If you’re someone who finds themselves describing patches of flakey, dry skin as “an eczema-ish, psoriasis-sy kinda thing”, then you’ve come to the right place. 

While you’ll need a dermatologist to diagnose and treat either condition, we are going to at least assist in helping you identify the differences between the two before you get to that stage. 

What is eczema?

Eczema is a skin condition which will most commonly show up in the folds of your knees, elbows, eyelids and groin. It can arise from as early as one month after birth and can continue well into your adult years.

Presenting in the form of itchy, red, dry skin, eczema can be triggered by stress or allergies such as irritating chemicals, the weather and even your diet. 

“In the journey of eczema care, patience and consistency are key. It’s about creating a harmonious environment for the skin, both inside and out,” explains Karen Cheah, community pharmacist and founder of DermaGen by Botanical Chemist.

When treating eczema, look for ingredients which work to reduce inflammation and repair compromised skin barriers. Fragrance-free moisturisers or products containing ingredients such as oatmeal, manuka oil, avocado and chamomile will be beneficial in soothing irritated skin.

bh recommends:

Aveeno Dermexa Moisturising Cream, $18 at Chemist Warehouse

DermaGen by Botanical Chemist Active 8 Serum, $40 at DermaGen by Botanical Chemist

DermaVeen Sensitive Relief Eczema Lotion, $13.49 at Chemist Warehouse

And… what is psoriasis?

While the cause of psoriasis is still relatively unknown, it’s thought to be a result of changes in the immune system. These changes are believed to trigger inflammation and an increased skin cell turnover occurring every 3-4 days (the regular being every 10-30). 

Often occurring in two phases, between the ages of 15-35 and then again at 55-60, the condition leaves red bumps covered in thick, white, scaly patches, most commonly on the scalp, lower back, knees, feet and elbows. The raised skin irritations are the result of new skin cells sitting on top of the old ones due to the rapid regeneration. 

bh recommends: 

Lavocderma Psoriasis Dry Skin Cream, $24.99 at Lavocderma

John Plunkett’s Skin Treatments JP Psor-Asist Cream, $22.90 at David Jones Pharmacy

The more serious of the two, psoriasis has been linked to serious health conditions such as diabetes, while eczema is just a surface level skin condition. 

And, while neither condition has a magical tonic to cure all, eczema can be known to disappear whereas psoriasis is a chronic condition that requires more long-term care.

Working on a case by case basis, psoriasis is a condition that looks to be managed rather than treated. The most common treatments include prescription steroid creams, medications and light therapy.

Main image credit: Getty

Have you ever experienced either of these skin conditions? What treatment worked best for you?

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Comments 63

  1. I had eczema. One of people I know has psoriasis. My eczema left me when I quit dairy, eggs and all meat. Guy with psoriasis will never quit meat, dairy and alcohol, and these are a huge no no if one wants for this skin condition to leave them. Love how our bodies are telling us when it is time to be nice to our machinery.

  2. I have psoriasis and psoriasis arthritis, I don’t have it as bad as others but I still have it. Stress is what makes it flare up. My dad has it really bad with large patches of raw red scaly skin always visible.

  3. My hubby suffers from psoriasis. It get super itch & some products inflame the area. Steroid creams do work but only temporarily.
    I think Worldwide we are going to see more cases of eczema because we are washing our hands waaaay more than before. I reckon moisturiser sales will have gone up.

  4. I have had psorasis for about 11 or so years on my scalp. Never truly goes away but it has days were it is managable and days where it is out of control. it usually gets worse in winter and also during times of stress. Winter and covid has really made my balloon

  5. I unfortunately have psoriasis of the scalp and it will sometimes pop up on my forehead, eye lids or eyebrows. I found that using Lucas Paw Paw Ointment helps soothe the pain and helps get rid of the psoriasis on my face. I haven’t found much that helps with my scalp apart from topical steroids.

  6. I have scalp psoriasis only on one spot .. and damnn its just always itchy but there is some weeks it calms down. But gosh it sucks! I really look forward to trying those products. I have recently purchased dermal therapy scalp relief shampoo/conditioner to give it a go

  7. I do often get eczema as I have dry sensitive skin however I once had a hairdresser tell me I had psoriasis at the base of my scalp but I think it may have been an allergy as I changed my shampoo and conditioner and it eventually went away

  8. My eczema has gotten worse recently because of stress. I get it on my hands and I got some on my arms too. It will sometimes appear on my face and legs. It’s frustrating