Can Eczema Mimic Other Skin Diseases?

Yes, eczema can sometimes mimic the symptoms of other skin diseases. Eczema is characterized by patches of skin along the body that are red, scaly, and inflamed, but so are many other skin diseases. 

Educating yourself on the various possibilities and receiving proper testing, examination, and diagnosis from your dermatologist could save you the frustration of ineffective and potentially harmful treatments. It could also protect you from ignoring a potentially more serious condition.

Is It Eczema or Something Else?

Your skin is red, inflamed, flaky, and itching like crazy. You may be desperate to find something to ease or eliminate the symptoms, but before you reach for any creams, medications, or at-home remedies, make sure you understand exactly what you’re dealing with first.

Many skin conditions share similar symptoms but can range in seriousness and usually require different treatment methods. The best way to determine a skin condition is to make an appointment with your dermatologist.

Other Skin Conditions That Look Like Eczema

Some common skin problems that can be confused with eczema are:

Psoriasis

Psoriasis and eczema have a lot in common. Both cause patches of dry, scaly, red, and itchy skin and can be frustrating to deal with. However, psoriasis tends to show up on more exposed layers of skin, like the knees, elbows, or face, while eczema usually “hides” in folds of skin like the back of your knees and arm creases. 

Both can appear on the scalp. Your dermatologist can help identify these and other subtle differences to make sure you receive a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Dry Skin

Patients with mild cases of eczema might mistake the rashes as severely dry skin. While dry skin and eczema can both cause redness, flaking, and discomfort, eczema tends to be itchier and will usually worsen with the use of traditional moisturizers. 

Eczema can benefit from eczema shampoo or other treatments to soothe symptoms and prevent flare-ups.

Lichen Planus

Similar to eczema, Lichen Planus is a non-contagious inflammatory condition of the skin that causes itchiness and dryness. However, unlike the more rash-like appearance of eczema, Lichen Planus usually shows up on the skin as purplish, flat-topped bumps. 

It can also occur in the mouth, vagina, or other mucosal tissues. Many skin specialists believe that Lichen Planus may be an autoimmune disease.

Scabies

This condition can cause severe itching, scaly patches, and skin rashes that look like eczema. It is caused when tiny bugs, known as mites, burrow deep into the skin and lay eggs. 

Like eczema, the itching with scabies also gets worse at night. However, you will notice small raised lines on the skin where the mites are. These lines may appear grey, white, or fleshcolored. 

The best way to treat this condition is to consult a doctor, who may prescribe the use of sulfur cream or certain medications. 

Hives

Hives can cause small or large welts to appear on the skin that come and go within a 24 hour perod. It can last days to weeks. These can appear when your body experiences an allergic reaction to a certain allergen. If you are experiencing hives, the doctor will advise the use of allergy medications, injections, and antihistamines. 

Ringworm

Ringworm, also known as Dermatophytosis or tinea, is an infection caused by a fungus. It is contagious and can spread from one person to another. Although anyone can get it, it is more common in children. 

It can cause ring-shaped rashes that are skin-colored in the middle and may appear red, pink, purple, or brown on the borders, depending on your skin tone. In the case of ringworm, the doctor usually prescribes anti-fungal shampoos, creams, and oral medications to treat it.

Rosacea

It is a skin condition that can cause flushing on the skin and small blood vessels to swell. It can also cause small pus-filled bumps to appear on the skin. It usually affects the face, cheeks, forehead, and mouth. 

The treatment for rosacea may depend on the severity of the condition; however, often oral antibiotics, creams, and laser treatment are prescribed. 

Skin Lymphoma

It is a type of cancer that can appear as small pimples, nodules, or thick lesions, sometimes even under the skin, that are itchy, scaly, and red. These look quite similar to eczema rashes. However, if you notice that your rashes are not getting any better, even with eczema treatment, then there is a chance it could be skin lymphoma. 

This condition can only be treated with the help of a doctor. Some common treatments for it include phototherapy, chemotherapy, and radiation.

Tinea Versicolor

This condition is caused by an overproduction of Malassezia yeast on the skin, which is also often the culprit for dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. It usually appears on the neck, chest and shoulders and can cause discoloration of skin. 

A medicated selenium sulfide shampoo or body wash is prescribed to be used two or three times a week along with anti-fungal creams to soothe the symptoms and prevent future flare-ups.

Polymorphous Light Eruption (PMLE)

This condition occurs when the skin comes in contact with sunlight. It is most common in areas that are exposed to sunlight, such as the face, cheeks, hands, forearms, and neck. It can cause itchy red rashes similar to eczema. 

It is more common in photosensitive people. It appears when a person spends a few hours in direct sunlight and can last for days. Topical steroids, antihistamines, and oral corticosteroids are used to reduce the appearance of the rashes. 

Eczema Treatment

The most important step in easing symptoms of eczema or any other skin condition is to have it properly diagnosed first. If you or your child are suffering from a confirmed case of eczema, it’s important to use medicated shampoos, washes, and creams that don’t contain irritants, like synthetic fragrances or parabens.

Dr. Eddie’s daily shampoo for eczema and eczema moisturizing cream is formulated to avoid common irritants like fragrance, dye, sulfates, and parabens. These products also feature Glycerin which draws moisture into the skin, and Licorice Root Extract which soothes redness.

A large study with over 6,000 patients found that more people who used a cream containing glycerin felt their skin improved compared to those who used a similar cream without glycerin or a placebo.

Additionally, the same study found that a cream that contained Licorice Root Extract was four times as effective at soothing eczema than an identical cream without Licorice Root Extract.

Conclusion

Eczema is a common skin condition that causes itchy, scaly red rashes to appear on the skin. This is why it is often confused with skin conditions that cause similar symptoms, such as rosacea, ringworm, psoriasis, hives, and scabies.

If your condition is not getting better with the use of eczema body wash and a moisturizing cream for eczema, then it is best to consult a doctor to properly diagnose your condition and get the right treatment plan. 

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Dr. Eddie Valenzuela

Dr. Eddie Valenzuela is an award winning pediatrician and the founder and CEO of Pediatric Solutions, LLC.

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