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For thousands of Australians dry and scaly skin is a reality they must live with. Sometimes it can be hard to decipher the symptoms you experience particularly when some conditions can appear identical. This is certainly the case with psoriasis and eczema, and it can be difficult to distinguish between the two.

The Brisbane home doctor team at House Call Doctor, have some facts that will help you learn the difference between the conditions and grasp the importance of misdiagnosis.

Conditions defined

Psoriasis pertains to a chronic autoimmune condition that, once triggered by a person’s immune system, causes skin cells to rapidly multiply on the surface of skin and develops from young adulthood due to genetic predispositions. Instead of the dead skin cells then flaking and peeling off the skin, there is a build-up of elevated itchy patches of raised red skin that form dry scales. Contrarily, eczema is a skin disorder that inflame patches of skin, making them cracked, itchy and rough due to a hypersensitivity reaction. Eczema is particularly common among young children and has long-term symptoms.

Learning the difference

While it is important to know what each condition is, it is also important to grasp an understanding of how they differ from each other. Unlike psoriasis, eczema will be found in the creases of bodies such as the back of the knee or front of the ankle. Comparatively, psoriasis can occur anywhere on the body particularly on the legs. Similarly, those who suffer from psoriasis tend only to experience mild itching from their inflamed skin whereas eczema patients will be subjected to far more intense itching.

Importance of knowing the difference

In physical appearance both conditions are very similar,  including red, itchy and dry skin. This is where confusion lies. As the causes and treatment associated with both of these skin disorders can greatly differ it is essential that the condition is diagnosed accurately. It is important to be able to know the difference to help reduce the symptoms of those who are suffering and prevent further cases.