How do I know if I have eczema (dermatitis) or psoriasis?
They are usually easy-ish to distinguish. But in some patients the skin changes are not typical and they can look similar.
Psoriasis
The common (plaque) type causes well-defined patches of thick, red skin with silvery scales that itch or feel sore. These patches can show up anywhere on your body, but they usually occur on the back of the elbows, and front of the knees.
They can also occur on the legs, scalp, lower back, buttocks and genitals, face, inside of mouth, and palms and soles of your feet.
In 50% people with psoriasis it can also affect the finger nails (and/or toenails), causing pitting or even to loosen and separate them from the nail bed.
Symptoms can also occur on the soles of the feet and palms of the hands, lower back and scalp. In 50% people with psoriasis it can also affect the finger nails (and/or toenails), causing pitting or even to loosen and separate them from the nail bed.
Children who have psoriasis tend to have mild itching.
Eczema
Atopic eczema can affect any part of the body. But it tends to appear on the front of the elbows and backs of the knees (i.e. opposite of psoriasis).
It can also affect the hands, wrists and neck, and the face and scalp in children.
There are several different types that look quite different.
In eczema, the itching can be intense.
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How a doctor tells the difference
If the rashes are typical, and the disease is mild, a GP will be able to tell the difference and treat you, if needed.
But if severe or rashes are not typical, they may need to get a hospital consultant called a dermatologist to see you. They will be able to decide between eczema and psoriasis (or something else). This is based on experience and what they see on the skin, the amount of itch, and where the disease appears on the skin.
Summary
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