Psoriasis vs Eczema

How to tell the difference — key features compared side by side.

Feature
Psoriasis
Eczema
Category
Common
Common
Key feature
Chronic autoimmune condition causing thick, silvery scaly patches. Affects 2-3% of the population. Not contagious.
Red, itchy, inflamed skin - the most common chronic skin condition in children. Part of the atopic triad with asthma and hay fever.
Risk factors
Family history of psoriasis (strongest risk factor); Stress (major trigger for flares); Obesity
Family history of eczema, asthma, or hay fever; Filaggrin gene mutations (skin barrier dysfunction); Living in dry or cold climates
Action needed
Persistent thick, scaly patches that do not respond to moisturizers
Eczema not controlled with regular moisturizing and over-the-counter hydrocortisone

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition in which the immune system mistakenly accelerates skin cell growth. Normal skin cells mature and shed in about a month; in psoriasis, this process takes only 3-4 days, causing cells to pile up into thick, silvery-white scales on red, inflamed patches.

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Eczema

Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition causing red, itchy, dry, and sometimes weeping or crusting patches. It is the most common chronic skin disease in children, affecting up to 20% of children and 3% of adults worldwide.

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Does yours look more like psoriasis?

Quick self-check

Does this look like psoriasis? Answer 2 questions.

Are there thick, well-defined patches with silvery-white scales?

Are they on typical psoriasis sites (elbows, knees, scalp, lower back)?

Still not sure?

Our full ABCDE checker evaluates 5 clinical criteria dermatologists use.

Full ABCDE check →