From bristolpost.co.uk
Knowing the symptoms can help stop it from spreading
According to the British Skin Foundation, around 60% of Brits have or have previously experienced a skin condition. In general, it can prove extremely challenging to differentiate between common conditions such as scabies and psoriasis, but there are key tell-tale signs of each one.
That’s according to Dr Donald Grant, a GP with 40 years of experience who is senior clinical advisor at The Independent Pharmacy. He has explained what scabies and psoriasis are and revealed the tell-tale signs of each condition.
What is psoriasis?
Red patches of skin
Dr Grant said: “One of the most common symptoms of psoriasis is when the skin becomes inflamed with red patches of skin. This is a telltale sign of plaque psoriasis, the most common form of the skin condition and normally appears on elbows, knees or the scalp - but can show up in other sections of the body.
“These plaques may also become dry and have a silver scaly appearance. The overproduction of skin cells can make skin thick and dry, leading to itchiness and irritated skin. E45 Non-greasy Emollient Cream is available over-the-counter and can reduce itchiness, soothing skin and leaving it smoother."
Dry or cracked skin
Dr Grant said: “I recommend keeping a close eye on dry or cracked skin as it can be a tell-tale sign of psoriasis. Dry skin tends to show up as an early sign of this skin condition and can lead to cracking, which in turn, causes bleeding. This can massively affect confidence while also being painful to manage.
“To prevent cracking, I suggest regularly moisturising the affected area and avoiding potential irritants. If dry skin or cracking persists, it’s best to seek medical advice to get more clarity on the treatments available to you. Treatments such as Diprobase Cream are effective at targeting dry or flaky skin caused by psoriasis."
Pitted nails
Dr Grant said: “Nail psoriasis is a common type of skin condition affecting around half of those suffering from psoriasis, according to the NHS. A telltale sign of nail psoriasis is nail pitting - when small dents or pits form on the surface of fingernails or toenails. It impacts appearance and the fragility can make nails crumble in severe cases.
“Pitted nails can impact work and social lives, making writing or typing challenging while affecting people’s confidence. If your nails have changed in appearance or texture, it’s always best to seek further advice from a GP. It’s important to be aware of the condition to ensure people can identify the signs early, helping people receive treatment that can boost confidence by minimising symptoms and improving skin health."
What is scabies?
Dr Grant said: “On the other hand, scabies is a condition caused by mites which burrow into the skin, unlike psoriasis, scabies is actually contagious and can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, or sharing materials such as towels or bedding. According to the World Health Organisation, over 400 million people encounter scabies around the world, each year, so understanding the telltale signs is essential to reduce the spread and minimise symptoms. Let’s take a look in further detail."
Excessive itching
Dr Grant said: “Much like psoriasis, scabies can lead to intense itching, with the skin greatly disrupted by the mite infestation. People may find that their symptoms of itchiness get worse in hotter weather, or at night, further disrupting quality of life through sleep and comfort. These feelings can be persistent, but I advise people to avoid scratching the affected areas as it can exacerbate symptoms.
“Instead, over-the-counter moisturisers are best, helping to reduce itchiness symptoms. Typically, similar products for psoriasis can be utilised here by scabies sufferers, including E45 Non-greasy Emollient Cream."
Rashes
Dr Grant said: “While both psoriasis and scabies can cause rashes, they’re often different in appearance. Psoriasis-affected skin typically shows up as patchy scales whereas scabies is more of a pimple-like rash that is red and similar to blisters. This is a key way of identifying the different skin conditions and helping individuals receive the correct advice and treatments.
“One of the most effective treatments for targeting and removing scabies is Permethrin 5% Cream, which is available over-the-counter. This treatment can be applied on cool, dry skin and helps remove mites while alleviating itchiness symptoms."
Burrow marks
Dr Grant said: “Finally, another key telltale sign that an individual is suffering from scabies is burrow marks, which can quickly appear on the skin’s surface. This is a huge indicator of the skin condition, as it’s caused directly by the mites. These lines are typically thin and grey or white in colour, if a person is unsure of whether they have burrow marks, I’d recommend seeking advice from their GP to receive a clear diagnosis.
“Overall, scabies do not go away on their own, so treatment is a must. By being able to identify the condition early, people can limit the risk of transmitting it while also helping people avoid symptoms which can impact confidence and impede social lives or work.”
“In general, there are some significant differences between both psoriasis and scabies - including the appearance of rashes and the presence of burrow marks for scabies sufferers. For people unsure of the condition they’re experiencing, a registered GP can quickly identify and recommend effective treatments for each.”
https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/health/doctor-says-intense-sign-indicates-9938504
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