Psoriasis vs. Eczema: How to Tell the Difference

From newbeauty.com

By Marisa Petrarca

Here's how dermatologists tell these two conditions apart 

Type “psoriasis vs...” into the search bar, and it’s instantly met with its most common pairing: eczema. It’s a small but telling sign of how many people are trying to make sense of these two conditions, and how much confusion still surrounds them.

And the confusion is understandable: both conditions can cause red, inflamed, itchy skin, and both are far more common than most people realize. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, psoriasis affects roughly 3 percent of U.S. adults, while the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America reports that eczema affects about 7.3 percent.

Ahead, we’re diving into the differences between the two conditions, including how to recognize whether you have one, the other or both, what triggers and treats each and more.

Featured Experts

• Dendy Engelman, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in New York
• Kristina Collins, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in Austin, TX
• Shira Y. Wieder, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in New York

Psoriasis vs. Eczema

Getty Images / ipopba

Both are chronic skin conditions that stem from different underlying causes, says New York dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD. “Psoriasis is an immune-triggered condition that accelerates skin cell turnover, often creating thicker plaques with scale,” she explains. “Eczema, particularly atopic dermatitis, is closely tied to both immune dysregulation and a weakened skin barrier, which allows moisture to escape and irritants to enter more easily.”

The two can look similar, but not to a trained eye. “Eczema tends to be intensely itchy and may appear dry, cracked, weepy or inflamed, whereas psoriasis classically produces more sharply demarcated, scaly plaques,” says Dr. Engelman. Location is another clue: psoriasis favours the scalp, elbows, knees and lower back, per Austin dermatologist Kristina Collins, MD, while eczema tends toward the face, neck, hands and elbow and knee creases—though either can appear anywhere.

Skin tone changes how both conditions present, too. “On lighter skin, psoriasis and eczema may appear pink or red, while on deeper skin tones, inflammation can look purple, violet, gray, dark brown or even subtle enough to be missed,” says Dr. Collins. Both conditions can also leave behind lingering pigmentation changes after a flare resolves.

As if telling the two apart wasn't hard enough, neither condition even comes in just one form. Plaque psoriasis is the most common form, showing up in up to 80 percent of cases, but guttate, inverse, pustular and erythrodermic psoriasis are also recognized subtypes—and it’s possible to have more than one at once, or develop a new type later.

Eczema covers even more ground: the National Eczema Association recognizes seven types, including atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis (a reaction to something touching your skin) and dyshidrotic eczema (itchy blisters, usually on the hands or feet).

Is Psoriasis or Eczema Contagious? Are They Genetic?

Good news for the germaphobes among us: neither is contagious, confirms Dr. Collins. Genetics are a different story; both conditions can run in families, though not in quite the same way. Psoriasis tends to be more genetically driven, says New York dermatologist Shira Y. Wieder, while eczema comes down more to skin-barrier dysfunction.

Environment plays a role, too. For psoriasis, common culprits include strep infections, obesity, alcohol, smoking and certain medications, says Dr. Wieder. Eczema is less about exposure and more about how well the skin barrier holds up, with triggers such as fragrance, preservatives, dyes, irritants, microbes, weather changes and stress.

Are They Linked to Other Health Conditions?

Both conditions can extend well beyond the skin. About 20 to 30 percent of people with psoriasis go on to develop psoriatic arthritis, according to Dr. Wieder—a range that lines up with the National Psoriasis Foundation's own research on the condition. Left untreated, psoriatic arthritis can cause irreversible joint damage. Psoriasis has also been associated with a higher risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Eczema, meanwhile, is tied to what dermatologists call the "atopic march:" patients who develop it, often in childhood, may go on to develop asthma and seasonal or food allergies. Dr. Collins recommends flagging any symptoms beyond the skin to a doctor so the condition can be managed as part of a bigger picture rather than in isolation.

Does Diet Play a Role in Flare-Ups?

Modestly, and differently for each condition. For psoriasis, Dr. Wieder points to research on Mediterranean-style anti-inflammatory eating and weight loss as supports to standard treatment; a gluten-free diet only tends to help if you also have celiac disease. For eczema, current guidelines actually advise against elimination diets, as the benefits are typically small and restriction can worsen allergies or lead to malnutrition.

Dr. Collins takes a similar stance: there's no single "psoriasis diet" or "eczema diet" that works universally, and she cautions against cutting out entire food groups without a clear, personal reason to do so.

Can You Have Both Psoriasis and Eczema at Once—and How Are They Treated?

Yes, it’s possible to have both psoriasis and eczema at once, or one after the other at different life stages. That’s why it’s worth getting a diagnosis confirmed before assuming a new flare years later is just the same old condition coming back.

As for treatment, it “depends on the diagnosis, location and severity, but both conditions benefit from consistent skin-barrier support and targeted control of inflammation,” explains Dr. Engelman. “Moisturizers and gentle fragrance-free skin care are particularly important for eczema, while prescription topical medications, phototherapy and systemic or biologic therapies may be used for either condition depending on severity.”

When Should You See a Dermatologist?

“I recommend seeing a dermatologist when a rash is persistent, recurrent, spreading, interfering with sleep or daily life, or not improving with basic skin care and over-the-counter measures,” Dr. Engelman advises. “You should also seek medical attention if the skin becomes painful, warm, increasingly swollen, crusted or otherwise concerning for infection.” Or, maybe you just want a clear-as-day answer that doesn't involve a search engine or a group chat diagnosis.

https://www.newbeauty.com/view/psoriasis-vs-eczema

6 Surprising Things That Can Trigger a Psoriasis Flare, According to a Dermatologist

From people.com

From “good” stress to your skincare routine, a dermatologist breaks down the unexpected factors that may make psoriasis worse 

NEED TO KNOW

• Psoriasis is a chronic condition linked to immune system overactivity that can worsen with lifestyle and environmental factors
• Dermatologist Dr. Adrienne Rencic emphasizes the importance of managing stress, sleep and diet to reduce the frequency of flare-ups
• Psoriasis can be triggered by skin trauma including scrubbing or irritation from skincare products, according to experts

If you have psoriasis, you may already know flares seem to come out of nowhere, no matter how well you’re managing the condition. But some of the things that can trigger or worsen psoriasis may be counterintuitive, or possibly not on your radar at all.

Psoriasis is a chronic disease in which the immune system becomes overactive, causing inflamed, scaly patches of skin. Symptoms can cycle between flares and periods of improvement, and common triggers can include stress and skin injuries, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS).

Get to know six surprising factors that may contribute to a psoriasis flare.

1. “Good” stress

Turns out you don’t necessarily have to feel anxious or upset for your body to experience stress. Even positive events can put physiological stress on the body. 

“People understand stress as working too long or experiencing ‘bad’ stress,” says Dr. Adrienne Rencic, a board-certified dermatologist and clinical investigator with more than 25 years of experience, who consults for RELAB, a new psoriasis-focused skincare brand. “But what people don’t understand is ‘good’ stress.”

“You could be staying up all night for two weeks preparing for your sister’s wedding, and that’s stress on your body,” she explains. “You can get flare-ups when you don’t necessarily feel stressed in a bad way.”

The takeaway: Pay attention to periods when your routine is disrupted, you’re not sleeping enough or your body is under unusual strain — even if you’re having a great time.

2. Lack of sleep

Sleep is another lifestyle factor that can contribute to psoriasis, Rencic says, along with stress, diet, smoking and alcohol. And the connection can become a frustrating cycle. Psoriasis can cause itching, burning and discomfort that interferes with sleep. 

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3. Scrubbing away your scales

When psoriasis leaves behind thick, flaky skin, aggressively scrubbing it away might seem like a logical solution. But it can backfire.

“Some people use a loofah or scrub their skin to try to remove the scale, and that’s actually trauma to the skin,” Rencic says. “That can make things worse.”

That’s because people with psoriasis can experience what’s known as the Koebner phenomenon or reaction, in which trauma to the skin can trigger psoriasis in that area. So when it comes to removing scale, more aggressive isn’t necessarily better.

4. A skincare product that irritates your skin

A reaction to a new skincare product and a psoriasis flare can sometimes look similar and, according to Rencic, one can actually trigger the other. “In a patient with psoriasis, there is a phenomenon called the Koebner reaction,” she explains. “Any trauma to the skin can trigger a psoriasis flare-up.”

A product reaction will generally affect the area where the product was applied, while psoriasis may appear as a distinct patch within that area. “You may have one or both going on at the same time,” Rencic says.

If you’re unsure whether a rash is an irritation or psoriasis, it’s best to have a dermatologist evaluate it rather than repeatedly applying products that could further irritate the skin.

5. Smoking and alcohol

Smoking and alcohol may not be the first things that come to mind when you think about psoriasis, but Rencic says they’re worth paying attention to. “These things can contribute, even though people don’t necessarily think of them as triggers,” she adds.

That doesn’t mean an occasional drink will automatically cause a flare, Rencic clarifies, but rather that the use of alcohol or nicotine can contribute to the disease, particularly when it’s part of a broader pattern of lifestyle factors. NIAMS concurs, noting that smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can worsen psoriasis symptoms.

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6. Your overall diet

One candy bar isn’t going to give you psoriasis, and Rencic is careful to make that distinction.

“It’s not that eating a candy bar causes psoriasis,” she tells PEOPLE. But she does note that “consistently eating a diet that’s high in sugar and saturated fat and low in fibre is bad for psoriasis.”

Rencic points to the Mediterranean diet as an example of an eating pattern that may be beneficial. Most importantly, she says people shouldn’t feel as though they’re powerless when it comes to managing their disease. 

“This is simply something they live with,” she says, adding that people with psoriasis “aren’t doing anything wrong.” But she does note that there are factors — diet, activity, stress relief — that can help reduce flares.

“All of those things can be modified,” Rencic says, suggesting stress-reducing activities such as exercise, meditation, spending time with friends and being in nature.

(And if your psoriasis is widespread, isn’t responding to your usual treatment or is accompanied by joint pain, stiffness or swelling, talk to a doctor. Psoriasis is associated with other health conditions, including psoriatic arthritis and cardiovascular and metabolic conditions, and NIAMS recommends medical evaluation when joint symptoms occur.)

https://people.com/6-surprising-things-that-can-trigger-a-psoriasis-flare-12060302

HOUSE CALL: Is there a cure for psoriasis?

From eagleobserver.com

By Dr. Amber Norris UAMS Department of Family and Preventive Medicine 

Q: Is there a cure for psoriasis?

A: Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disorder in which skin cells multiply faster than normal. It can take up to 30 days to replace new skin cells, but in those affected by psoriasis the process occurs every three to four days. A study in the National Library of Medicine estimates that more than 7.5 million adults in the U.S. have psoriasis.

The exact cause of psoriasis is unknown. The condition tends to run in families, which indicates a genetic tendency to develop psoriasis. Smoking can increase the risk of developing psoriasis and exacerbate the symptoms. It can affect people of any age or sex and is not contagious. Cold and dry conditions, hormonal changes, infections, medications such as beta blockers and lithium, and stress can trigger a psoriasis outbreak.

While psoriasis can appear anywhere on the skin, it is most common on the face, elbows and knees, palms and feet, and the scalp. Symptoms include cracked, dry, or itchy skin, joint pain, and small scaly spots. Symptoms can flare for a few weeks before subsiding.

The condition cannot be cured. Treatment includes moisturizers for dry skin, medicated lotions or shampoos, or steroid creams. Visit your health care provider if you have questions.

https://www.eagleobserver.com/news/2026/aug/18/house-call-is-there-a-cure-for-psoriasis/

How to Advocate for Yourself When You Have Psoriatic Arthritis

From everydayhealth.com

Inflamed joints, stiff hands, lower back pain, and fatigue — psoriatic arthritis (PsA) can be difficult to explain when many of your symptoms may be invisible. You might look fine while you're dealing with a flare that’s making everyday tasks like typing, cooking, or keeping up at work harder than they look from the outside.

That gap between how you look and how you feel can make it harder to get the support you need from your doctor, family and friends, and your employer. This is where self-advocacy comes in. It means communicating clearly about your symptoms, speaking up when you need changes to your treatment plan or daily responsibilities, and helping loved ones understand how your condition is affecting your life.

Medical Appointments: Plan Ahead

One of the most important places to advocate for yourself is at your doctor’s office.

Document Your Medical History

Appointments can feel short, so it helps to arrive organized and prepared to ask questions, says Joy Selak, PhD, the co-author ofYou Don’t Look Sick! Living Well With Invisible Chronic Illness, which she wrote alongside her rheumatologist. The book chronicles Dr. Selak’s decades-long journey with two invisible illnesses.

Selak brings a one-page document to her medical appointments, listing her diagnoses, current prescriptions, history of surgeries and medical interventions, and a notes section with questions or topics she wants to cover that day.

“Everything you can do to not take up appointments with data collection, but get right to what the concerns are, can lead to a more meaningful conversation,” she says.

Document which medications you’ve tried, and why they didn’t work, says Arthur Mandelin, MD, PhD, a Chicago-based rheumatologist and an associate professor at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. “Without this information, insurance delays in getting access to the next or newest drug can be very lengthy,” Dr. Mandelin says.

Track Your Symptoms Between Appointments

Get specific when tracking your symptoms between appointments, says Alireza Meysami, MD, the head of rheumatology at Henry Ford Health in Detroit, where he specializes in diagnosing and treating inflammatory arthritis, including psoriatic arthritis.

“Patients are experts on how the disease affects their daily lives. The most helpful information is not simply where it hurts, but how it changes what they can and cannot do,” Dr. Meysami says.

Keep track of:

• Joint pain, swelling or stiffness, and how long morning stiffness lasts
• Fatigue and how it affects daily activities
• Skin or nail changes
• Flare-ups, including what may have triggered them and how long they lasted
• Amount of prednisone being used, if any

Instead of saying “My pain is worse,” provide examples, such as, “I can’t type for more than 20 minutes” or “I had to stop walking my dog.” “These functional examples help us understand the true impact of the disease and make better treatment decisions,” Meysami says.

This is a crucial step if your doctor needs to fill out paperwork for workplace accommodations, Mandelin says.

Some people rate their pain and functional impairment on a scale of 1 to 10 — with 10 being worst — to help their doctors understand disease severity, Mandelin says.

Take Photos of Symptoms

When possible, take photos of swollen joints, psoriasis plaques, nail changes, or dactylitis (“sausage digits”), Meysami says. He says these details are “extremely valuable” because symptoms can improve before a doctor’s visit.

Push for Treatment Adjustments if Needed

If you have persistent joint pain, worsening psoriasis, or difficulty completing everyday tasks despite treatment, tell your doctor, Meysami says. “Patients should never assume they simply have to ‘live with it,’” he says.

Your rheumatologist can suggest another treatment option, including biologic therapies and targeted oral medications, he says.

Another important sign is needing frequent courses of steroids or relying on pain medications to get through the day.

At Home: Establish a Way to Ask for Help

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At home, self-advocacy often starts before you’re in the middle of a flare. Having clear, proactive conversations with family members can make it easier to ask for help when symptoms are flaring.

Have the Conversation Before You Need Help

Instead of waiting until you’re already overwhelmed, try explaining what PsA is like when you’re feeling well, Selak says. Sit your family down and explain what may happen during a flare up. “You need to get out in front of it on a good day. Then you’re both being realistic about what you can and can’t do and when you can and can’t do it,” she says.

That way, loved ones aren’t trying to understand your needs for the first time when you’re already depleted.

Break the ‘I’m Fine’ Habit

Saying “I’m fine” can feel easier than explaining pain or fatigue, especially if you don’t want to seem like you are complaining. But masking symptoms can leave family members unaware of what you’re carrying — and may lead to burnout, resentment, or less support than you actually need, Selak says.

“All of us who have had a chronic illness have done this, where you try to buck it up. There’s no upside to it,” she says. “Don’t pretend you’re okay when you’re not.”

Explain the Impact, Not Just the Feeling

When you’re living with an invisible illness, daily challenges aren’t as obvious as a broken bone or visible injury. But with PsA, common limitations include carrying groceries, typing, cooking, opening jars, climbing stairs, getting dressed, driving long distances, and even playing with the kids, Meysami says.

Instead of saying, “I'm flaring,” he suggests examples, such as, “My hands are too stiff to button my shirt,” “I’m exhausted after grocery shopping,” or “Walking upstairs feels like climbing a mountain today.”

“Describing symptoms in practical, real-world terms is one of the best approaches,” he says. It could be your family’s cue to understand it’s time to pitch in.

At Work: Formalize Your Accommodations

If managing work with PsA symptoms is becoming difficult, it may be time to advocate for yourself and ask for accommodations.

Learn Your Rights

Familiarize yourself with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), your company’s HR policies around time off for appointments and sick leave, and resources available to you, Selak says.

Under the ADA, people whose PsA qualifies as a disability may be protected from discrimination, and you may be able to request reasonable accommodations. And if you can’t work due to your condition, you may be eligible to apply for disability benefits.

Ask for Specific Support

Before talking to HR or your manager, make a short list of what would help you do your job, Selak says. The Job Accommodation Network lists arthritis-related options such as voice-to-text software, typing aids, working from home, or scheduled breaks to stretch. Explain the limitation and a practical fix, Meysami says. “One of the biggest challenges with psoriatic arthritis is that much of the disease is invisible. Patients sometimes worry they'll be viewed as complaining or exaggerating because others cannot see what they're experiencing,” Meysami says.

With Friends: Educate Your Inner Circle

Friendships can become complicated when PsA affects your energy, mobility, or ability to keep plans. The key is to be straightforward, says Elizabeth Medeiros, who was diagnosed with juvenile psoriatic arthritis in 2010 when she was 14 years old, and has since blogged about life with the chronic condition.

Medeiros says her approach depends on the relationship. Long-time friends may already understand her limits and recognize when she needs to slow down, but with newer friends, she’s learned to be upfront about flares, needing to cancel, or adjusting plans.

“Being direct helps, like, ‘I’d really love to come to the museum with you, but the only way I can handle it is if I rent a wheelchair for the day. Is that something you’d be okay with?’” she says.

It also helps to offer another way to connect if you need to cancel, such as inviting a friend over for pizza and a movie or scheduling a FaceTime call instead, she says.

Get Support Beyond Your Rheumatologist

Advocating for your health also means asking for additional support, such as physical therapy or occupational therapy, Mandelin says.

“I refer any patient who asks, whenever they feel ready to ask, including the very first visit if that's what the patient feels they need,” he says.

An occupational therapist can recommend adaptive equipment, provide splints or braces, or teach joint protection techniques, while a physical therapist can help with mobility, flexibility, muscle strength and overall physical function, Meysami says. “Depending on the patient's needs, we may also involve dermatologists, pain specialists, psychologists, nutritionists, or social workers,” he says.

He says patients should feel comfortable asking questions like:

• Would occupational therapy help me?
• Would a hand splint or brace make daily activities easier?
• Could physical therapy improve my mobility?
• Are there support groups or mental health resources available?

Emotional support matters, too. Medeiros says therapy has been especially helpful during times when family and friends could not support her as much, or when pain and fatigue during flares made it harder to work through her emotions.

“Managing a chronic disease isn't about doing everything alone, it's about using the right tools and support to continue living a full and meaningful life,” Meysami says.

The Takeaway

• To advocate for yourself when you have psoriatic arthritis, start with clear, organized communication — bring your medical history, symptom changes, photos, and top questions to appointments so your doctor can understand how PsA is affecting your daily life.
• At home, work, and with friends, explain adjustments you may need and the practical impact of PsA, such as trouble typing, cooking, climbing stairs, or keeping plans, instead of minimizing your symptoms.
• Learn about resources that can improve your quality of life, such as referrals to OT, PT, psychotherapy, and support groups, so you don’t have to manage PsA alone.

https://www.everydayhealth.com/psoriatic-arthritis/how-to-advocate-for-yourself-with-psoriatic-arthritis/