What is the difference between eczema and psoriasis?

WHERE TO BUY
Ego Brands
EN
Current location and language options: (EN)
EN
Current location and language options: (EN)
Ego Brands

What is the difference between eczema and psoriasis?

Eczema  | Psoriasis

qv logo

Written by Dr Deshan,MBBS(Hons) MMed FRCP (London) FACD

Updated on November 19, 2024

Both eczema and psoriasis are inflammatory skin diseases.

Eczema is more common and tends to present with red, itchy, scaly rashes which are usually in the thin skin of the body - the face, neck, elbow and knees creases. It can be associated with asthma and hayfever. 

Psoriasis is also a red rash but the scale is usually thicker and it tends to occurs on the parts of the body where is skin is thick like the scalp, elbows and knee.

 

Learn more with Dr. Deshan about eczema & psoriasis.

 
Subscribe Form

Your Inbox, Tailored to Your Skin

We’d love to know more about your interests so we can send you personalised advice and exclusive offers – no spam, just things you’ll love.
Skin areas of interest

References

1. Avena-Woods C. Overview of atopic dermatitis. Am J Manag Care 2017;23(8 Suppl):S115–23.

2. Matsui T, Amagai M. Dissecting the formation, structure and barrier function of the stratum corneum. Int Immunol 2015;27(6):269–80.

3. Chung J, Simpson EL. The socioeconomics of atopic dermatitis. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2019;122(4):360–6.

4. Mao-Qiang M, Feingold KR, Thornfeldt CR, Elias PM. Optimization of Physiological Lipid Mixtures for Barrier Repair. J Invest Dermatol 1996;106(5):1096–101.

5. Eczema and Dermatitis. In: Clinical Dermatology. Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd; 2014. page 76–98.

6. Better Health Channel: Eczema (atopic dermatitis). [cited 15 June 2021]. Available from: www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/ConditionsAndTreatments/eczema-atopic-dermatitis#rpl-skip-link.

7. ASCIA. Eczema and Food Allergy [internet]. Australia. Soc. Clin. Immunol,. Allergy ASCIA. 2020 [Cited 2021 Jul 28]; Available from: www.allergy.org.au/patients/fast-facts/eczema-and-food-allergy. 

8. Chopra R, Vakharia PP, Sacotte R, Patel N, Immaneni S, White T, et al. Severity strata for Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), modified EASI, Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD), objective SCORAD, Atopic Dermatitis Severity Index and body surface area in adolescents and adults with atopic dermatitis. Br J Dermatol 2017;177(5):1316–21.

9. Sweetman SC, editor. Eczema. In: Martindale - The Complete Drug Reference. London, Chicago: Pharmaceutical Press; 2009. page 1579. 

10. Akdis CA, Akdis M, Bieber T, Bindslev-Jensen C, Boguniewicz M, Eigenmann P, et al. Diagnosis and treatment of atopic dermatitis in children and adults: European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology/American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology/PRACTALL Consensus Report. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2006;118(1):152–69.

11. Stanway A. Atopic dermatitis [Internet]. DermNet NZ2004 [cited 2020 Jun 23];Available from: www.dermnetnz.org/topics/atopic-dermatitis.

12. Wahlgren CF. Pathophysiology of itching in urticara and atopic dermatitis. Allergy 1992;47(2 Pt 1):65-75.

13. Rinaldi G. The Itch-Scratch Cycle: A Review of the Mechanisms. Dermatol Pract Concept 2019;9(2):90–7.

14. Thyssen JP, Hamann CR, Linneberg A, Dantoft TM, Skov L, Gislason GH, et al. Atopic dermatitis is associated with anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation, but not with psychiatric hospitalization or suicide. Allergy 2018;73(1):214–20.

15. Sibbald C, Drucker AM. Patient Burden of Atopic Dermatitis. Dermatol Clin 2017;35(3):303–16.

16. Koblenzer CS, Koblenzer PJ. Chronic intractable atopic eczema. Its occurrence as a physical sign of impaired parent-child relationships and psychologic developmental arrest: improvement through parent insight and education. Arch Dermatol 1988;124(11):1673–7.

17. Atopic dermatitis [Internet]. National Eczema Association [cited 2020 Sep 24]; Available from: www.nationaleczema.org/eczema/types-of-eczema/atopic-dermatitis.

18. World Allergy Organization. Atopic dermatitis [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2021 Dec 16]; Available from: www.worldallergy.org/UserFiles/file/WAOAtopicDermatitisInfographic2018.pdf. 

19. Eczema – British Skin Foundation [Internet]. [cited 2021 Dec 16];Available from: https://knowyourskin.britishskinfoundation.org.uk/condition/eczema/.

20. Homey B, Steinhoff M, Ruzicka T, Leung DYM. Cytokines and chemokines orchestrate atopic skin inflammation. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 2006;118(1):178–89.

21. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Atopic eczema in under 12s: diagnosis and management [Internet]. 2007 [cited 2021 Dec 16]. Available from: www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg57/resources/atopic-eczema-in-under-12s-diagnosis-and-management-pdf-975512529349.

22. Bourke J, Coulson, I, English, J. Guidelines for the management of contact dermatitis: an update. British Journal of Dermatology 2009;160:946–954.

23. Holden C, English J, Hoare C, Jordan A, Kownacki S, Turnbull R, et al. Advised best practice for the use of emollients in eczema and other dry skin conditions. J Dermatolog Treat 2002;13(3):103–6.