Our skin works hard to protect our bodies. As a result, it’s fairly common to experience some irritation. You might develop a rash, for example. But what happens if that itchy, red area doesn’t clear up in a couple of days?
In that case, it could be eczema or psoriasis. Both skin conditions cause redness and itching. In fact, because they create similar symptoms, it’s easy to get them confused.
Fortunately, as specialists in both psoriasis and eczema, our team can help you figure out what’s going on. Pay a visit to any of our LUX Dermatology offices throughout California and Nevada to learn what’s causing your skin irritation. Once we diagnose your skin issue, we help you find the right treatment plan to get relief.
Psoriasis and eczema both cause red, scaly patches on your skin accompanied by an itch. Both can be triggered by allergens, too, and neither has a cure. To make matters worse, both of these skin conditions commonly affect children, so age doesn’t help you determine what’s going on.
Fortunately, there are some key differentiating factors. Eczema might cause severe itching that causes you scratch to the point of bleeding, and it can come with oozing areas. Psoriasis generally itches less but causes more swelling and skin thickening than eczema.
Location also serves as a useful clue here. Eczema commonly occurs where your skin folds, like the insides of your elbows or the backs of your knees. Psoriasis, on the other hand, is more likely to occur on the tops of your knees or the outside of your elbow. Psoriasis can also affect your face, scalp, palms, and the soles of your feet.
While eczema and psoriasis look and feel fairly similar to the average person, our team is trained to spot the difference. We can tell you which skin problem is affecting you, then tailor a treatment to help.
As it turns out, the treatments for these two skin conditions are fairly similar, too. Lifestyle changes — like avoiding allergens and quitting smoking — can help with both conditions. We often pair those modifications with topical and oral medications as well as light therapy that’s designed to bring you relief from your symptoms.
If you or your child lives with red, itchy skin, make an appointment with our team. We can help you figure out what’s going on and start a treatment plan that delivers relief. Call any of our offices in California or Nevada, or book an appointment online today.
