Eczema VS Psoriasis: Discovering the Difference

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  • Dr. Eddie Valenzuela
  • February 24, 2025
Eczema VS Psoriasis: Discovering the Difference
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If you are dealing with itchy, dry, red skin and have tried every eczema cream available on the market yet still are not experiencing any improvement, then listen to this…

What if it’s not eczema? What if it’s some other skin condition? Yes, there are various other skin conditions that may look quite similar to an eczema flare-up, but are not eczema. Psoriasis is one of the most common impostors among them. 

Even the most skin-savvy person can sometimes get eczema vs psoriasis confused. But don’t fret, this blog will help you discover the difference between eczema and psoriasis from an expert pediatrician’s perspective, so you can get the right treatment plan on time.

What is Eczema?

Eczema is actually a group of skin conditions that cause itchy, dry, red, irritated skin. Atopic dermatitis is one of the most common types of eczema and is often generally referred to as eczema.

It is a chronic skin condition, which means it may either resolve and never show up again or it may become a lifelong issue and appear again and again in the form of flare-ups. 

The exact cause of eczema is still not known; however, it is believed to be caused by a combination of factors such as 

  • Genetics
  • Impaired skin barrier
  • Environmental  

People who have a family history of atopic dermatitis, asthma, and allergic rhinitis (seasonal allergies) are more prone to developing the condition.

What is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin condition in which your immune system (specifically the T-cells) in the body mistakenly attacks the healthy skin cells. This triggers the immune system to start producing new skin cells at a much faster rate.

These excess skin cells start piling on each other and take the form of thick, raised plaques or scaly patches. Psoriasis also comes in various types. The subtype, plaque psoriasis, is the most common one that affects around 80% of people with psoriasis.

Similarities of Eczema & Psoriasis

Some Common Similarities of Eczema & Psoriasis are

People often wonder, “Is it Psoriasis or Eczema?” That is because both conditions can look quite similar.. Some of the most common psoriasis and eczema similarities that leave you confused are:

  • Rashes on the skin
  • Skin redness on lighter skin tones
  • Gray, purple, or ashy patches on people with darker skin tones
  • Itchy skin
  • Both run in families
  • Both are often triggered by stress, allergens, dry skin, and extreme weather conditions.
  • Even though both conditions look similar, they are very different.

Pictures of Eczema vs Psoriasis

Pictures of Eczema vs Psoriasis 

You may be wondering, “What does eczema and psoriasis look like?”, and as you know, a picture is worth a thousand words, so we have provided a few psoriasis vs eczema pictures below to help you understand them.

What is the Difference Between Psoriasis vs Eczema?

 Now let’s take a closer look at the differences between eczema and psoriasis.

Eczema Psoriasis
Causes It is believed to be caused by various factors. An impaired skin barrier, genetics, and environmental triggers It is caused by immune system dysfunction
Probability It affects around 32 million people annually  Affects around 7.2 million
Age of onset Common among babies and young children, mostly below the age of 5 Common among young adults, mostly between the ages of 15 to 35
Location Flexural surfaces like in skin folds, behind knees, inside of elbows, neck, ankles or cheeks, hands, arms, and face Extensor surfaces like elbows, knees, scalp, palm, feet soles, lower back, eyelids, nails, and mouth
Itching Intense itching  Mild, but it often causes a burning or stinging sensation
Inflammation  Less intense  Severe 
Appearance  Scaly patches that are red, pink, brown, or purple, depending on the skin tone.  Raised plaques with silvery-white scales
Texture of patches  Patches are thinner and less raised Thicker, raised scaly patches
Other symptoms The rashes may ooze and crust over The scales can easily bleed, especially when scratched
Risk Factors People who have HIV, rosacea, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, depression, and food allergies are more likely to experience it People experiencing psoriatic arthritis, metabolic syndrome, high cholesterol, inflammatory bowel disease, hypertension, and cancer are at a higher risk of developing it
Treatment Eczema skincare routine, topical steroids, calcineurin inhibitors, phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors, Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, and then meds like oral abrocitinib or injectable dupilumab are added. Moisturizers and, for severe cases, steroids, calcineurin inhibitors, vitamin D analogs, and retinoids are utilized and then oral meds like methotrexate, cyclosporine, PDE4 inhibitors, retinoids, TNF-alpha inhibitors, or IL inhibitors or IV infusions are prescribed

Psoriasis vs Eczema on Scalp

Both conditions can affect the scalp as well and cause crusty patches on the scalp. But there are differences that can help you distinguish whether you have scalp psoriasis or eczema.

Scalp Eczema  Scalp Psoriasis
Common names Seborrheic dermatitis in adults and cradle cap in babies Scalp psoriasis
Apperance  Greasy yellow or white scales and flakes  Thick, layered white or silver scaly patches
Location  Confined mostly to the scalp and hairline  May extend beyond the hairline
Treatment  Regular use of a medicated seborrheic dermatitis shampoo  Use of shampoos with urea, coal tar, and salicylic acid

Psoriasis vs Eczema Treatment

Psoriasis vs Eczema Treatment 

Just like the skin conditions themselves, the treatment for eczema and psoriasis is also very different.

Eczema Treatment

Even though there is no permanent cure for eczema, a mild eczema flare-up can be managed at home with the help of a proper eczema skincare routine. Here are a few ways to effectively manage eczema.

  1. Keeping the Skin Clean

The first step in your skincare routine, whether it’s for eczema or not, should be cleansing the skin. Keeping the skin clean can help prevent harmful bacteria, viruses, pollution, and dirt buildup on the skin that can worsen the condition or create other complications like skin infections.

  • Use an eczema shampoo or cleanser to cleanse the affected area at least once daily. 
  • Use the one that is free from any skin-irritating chemicals like fragrances, sulfates, parabens, and phthalates.
  1. Moisturizing the Skin

Keeping the skin moisturized at all times is very important to prevent the condition from getting worse. 

  • Use a hypoallergenic moisturizing cream for eczema to keep your skin moisturized.
  • Use it at least twice daily or even more than that if required. 
  • A cream specially formulated with skin-soothing natural ingredients like licorice root extract, and glycerin can help soothe the itching, irritation, and redness associated with eczema.
  1. Avoid the Triggers

Some people may notice that their eczema gets worse due to certain triggers, such as when they are under stress, or during cold winter days. So if you know what triggers your eczema flare-up or makes it worse, then try avoiding it.

  1. Wet Wrap Therapy

Wet wrap therapy is usually prescribed by doctors when the itching associated with eczema is very intense. In this therapy, a topical corticosteroid along with moisturizing cream is applied to the skin and is then covered with a wet gauze, which is then followed by a dry cloth. This can be applied and left overnight to help one sleep better and soothe the itching. 

  1. Prescribed Medications

If the condition is not getting better with a proper skincare routine, then the doctors may prescribe certain medication along with it to soothe the symptoms. Some of the most common medications are:

  • Topical corticosteroids
  • Antihistamines
  • Calcineurin inhibitor
  • Shots of biological drugs
  • Oral medications 

Psoriasis Treatment

Keeping the skin clean and moisturized is also advised for psoriasis; however, it also requires a proper treatment plan with prescribed medications to make the condition better.

For psoriasis, doctors usually prescribe the use of:

  • Topical Corticosteroids: These are usually in the form of ointments and creams and are used to reduce inflammation and itching.
  • Anthralin: This medication manages the condition by controlling the growth of skin cells.
  • OTC Products: Products like shampoo and creams containing active ingredients like coal tar and salicylic acid are available as over-the-counter products to reduce irritation and scaling.
  • Vitamin D: Vitamin D creams such as calcitriol and calcipotriene can help slow down the growth of cells, reduce scaliness, and flatten raised plaques.
  • Topical Retinoids: Retinoids are usually used to reduce the growth of new skin cells.
  • Oral Medications: Oral medications such as methotrexate and cyclosporine help in controlling the overactive immune system.
  • Biologic Drugs:  TNF-alpha inhibitors or IL inhibitors like etanercept, adalimumab, infliximab, and risankizumab, which can be injected into the body to dampen the immune system.
  • Light Therapy: Also known as Phototherapy is used to treat psoriasis. The affected skin is exposed to special UV light or laser to reduce the inflammation and growth of skin cells.

Can you Have Psoriasis and Eczema at the Same Time?

Yes, even though it is rare, a person can have eczema and psoriasis at the same time. A study published by the NIH concluded that 2% of the people dealing with one of these conditions had the other one at the same time.

Other Skin Conditions like Eczema and Psoriasis

Other Skin Conditions like Eczema and Psoriasis 

There are various other skin conditions that can cause similar symptoms to eczema and psoriasis and are often confused with one another. Some of the most common ones are:

  • Ringworm (tinea corporis)
  • Athlete’s foot
  • Seborrheic dermatitis 
  • Scabies
  • Hives 
  • Rosacea
  • Keratosis pilaris
  • Skin cancer
  • Pityriasis rosea
  • Lupus

As you can see there are so many skin conditions that can have similar symptoms to those of psoriasis and eczema. This is why if you are unsure about which condition you are experiencing, it is best to consult a dermatologist immediately for an accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Key Takeaways

  • Eczema and psoriasis have some symptoms in common such as red rashes, itchy skin, and skin scaling but they both are very different.
  • The scaling associated with psoriasis is usually thicker and raised above the skin with a white or silvery top. The scaling with eczema is less prominent and is usually in the form of a rash.
  • Eczema is more common among young children and its rashes are more itchy and usually appear in the flexural skin surface. While psoriasis usually affects adults, and appears on the extensor skin surface and is less itchy but can cause a stinging or burning sensation.
  • Mild eczema can be managed with a daily skin care routine that includes the use of an eczema cleanser and a moisturizer for eczema. However, for psoriasis, prescription medications are typically needed along with the daily skincare regimen.

If you are dealing with eczema or psoriasis and searching for skin-friendly products then try Happy Cappy Two-Step Skincare Routine. It contains a Daily Shampoo and Body Wash and a hypoallergenic Moisturizing Cream that can help keep your skin clean and moisturized.

These products are pediatrician-developed, clinically tested, hypoallergenic, and safe to be used on all skin types.

FAQs

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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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Are psoriasis and eczema related?

Eczema and psoriasis are not related to each other. However, some studies show that both conditions can coexist in one person at the same time.

How do I know if I have eczema or psoriasis?

Eczema usually causes red, dry, scaly patches that are very itchy.
However, psoriasis usually causes white or silvery raised scales that have redness around the border and are less itchy.

Which is more serious eczema or psoriasis?

While both eczema and psoriasis are chronic skin conditions, they differ in severity, symptoms, and treatment needs. Eczema typically causes intense itching, which can make it feel more uncomfortable day-to-day. However, psoriasis is often considered more serious from a medical standpoint because it is an autoimmune condition that usually requires prescription treatments and long-term management.

Mild to moderate eczema can often be managed with over-the-counter moisturizers or fragrance-free skincare products found at your local pharmacy or grocery store. In contrast, psoriasis usually requires stronger prescription creams, light therapy, or systemic medications. That said, severe eczema can also require prescription medication when inflammation and itching are difficult to control.

What is itchier, eczema, or psoriasis?

Eczema is usually itchier, while the itching associated with psoriasis is less intense. However, psoriasis can also cause a burning or stinging sensation on the skin which is less common in eczema.

What looks like psoriasis but it's not?

There are many skin conditions that look quite similar to psoriasis but are actually different, such as:
Eczema
Seborrheic dermatitis
Ringworm
Keratosis pilaris
Rosacea
Skin cancer

Can eczema turn into psoriasis?

No both are very different skin conditions with different causes which is why eczema can not turn into psoriasis.

DERMATOLOGIST TESTED SENSITIVE SKIN AND SCALP CARE

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