Some people have dry, red, and itchy skin that does not respond well to eczema treatment. In such cases, it may be that the problem is not eczema. It may be a different condition called psoriasis. Psoriasis, as well as rashes and fungal infections, can present similar symptoms to eczema. As a result, the first step to treating your skin is an accurate diagnosis by an eczema specialist.
Like eczema, psoriasis causes patches of red and itchy skin. Neither condition is contagious, but both can cause a large amount of day to day discomfort. An eczema specialist may know the difference, but to the ordinary person, it can be hard to tell. The biggest difference is that they are caused by different issues in the body. Psoriasis is an autoimmune issue that causes the cells to grow too quickly. On the other hand, the causes of eczema are harder to pinpoint. Eczema is caused by a variety of factors such as genetics, allergies, diet, and even the weather.
Another difference is the degree of itchiness. Although both conditions can cause severe itching, the itching caused by psoriasis tends to be milder. Also, while eczema tends to affect children and young people, psoriasis tends to arise in adults.