Psoriasis and eczema are common skin diseases which affect people all over the world. The first one is a condition that affects the life cycle of the skin cells. Primarily, it triggers a rapid build up of cells on the skin surface, giving rise to bouts of symptoms. Also, it is a chronic skin disorder, which requires long-term treatment. Eczema is also a long-lasting condition. It is characterized by an itchy inflammation of the skin, and known to be more common in children. The basic differences between the two conditions have been explained in the following table.
What causes of psoriasis
There are these cells in the body known as T lymphocytes or T cells. They are assigned with the job of eliminating foreign substances such as viruses or bacteria. Due to certain reasons these cells become overactive, and start attacking the healthy cells of the body. Now this malfunction triggers the immune system to go into an overdrive and produce new skin cells, and more T cells, and this goes on like a cycle. Usually, new skin cells take about a month to reach to the top of the epidermis. So as newer cells continue to move up, older cells die, and rise to the surface, and flake off after sometime. But in psoriasis, new skin cells move up to the surface within days, and this causes a build up of dead skin cells on the surface. Scientists are not sure of what causes the T cells to malfunction, but they have narrowed down a list of triggers. These may include:
Sore throat
Emotional stress
Genetic factors
Smoking tobacco
Exposure to frost
Injury to the skin
Chronic immune disorders such as HIV
Alcohol abuse
Side effects of certain medications
What are Causes of Eczema
No specific causes have yet come to light. Like it is in the case of psoriasis, even eczema is believed to be a result of malfunctioning immune system. Experts say that the symptoms that are caused in eczema, occur as a result of an overactive immune response to an irritant. Unlike what most people think, stressful factors do not cause this skin disorder, but they worsen it. Other triggers could include:
allergens such as house mites, pollen, and dander
foods such as eggs, cow's milk, soya products, wheat and nuts
cold weather
frequent washing
hormonal changes
Signs and symptoms of Psoriasis
Usually, psoriasis symptoms vary from person to person, but the common ones include:
Formation of red patches on the skin, which are covered with silvery
scales. Although these patches may appear anywhere, they commonly affect areas such as the knees, scalp, hands, elbows, feet or lower back
Development of spots small in size, but scaly in appearance
Affected areas of the skin may get dry, and even bleed
The above symptoms may be accompanied by itchiness, burning sensation and soreness
Nails may get thicker, and ridged
Joints may swell, and become stiff
Signs and symptoms of Eczema
Common signs and symptoms include:
The person may experience itching, which may get intense at nights
There would be gray colored patches on the skin. These may also be brownish in color
The skin may become red, hot, dry, thicker, scaly and sensitive
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