Eczema & Psoriasis

What are eczema and psoriasis?

Eczema and psoriasis are both categorised as diseases of the skin. The former refers to a condition whereby inflamed patches appear across the skin, causing itchiness and discomfort. Eczema is known to exist in seven types. However, it most commonly manifests as atopical dermatitis. An allergen usually triggers atopical dermatitis, and it may also cause asthma or hay fever. It occurs across the skin as reddened areas accompanied by an itchy sensation. Children and adults alike suffer from the disease. The other less common eczema types include seborrheic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, nummular eczema, stasis dermatitis and dyshidrotic eczema.

Much like eczema, psoriasis also becomes evident as inflamed patches of skin. The cells multiply at a greater frequency than expected; this abnormality showcases skin spots that are pretty red and covered by white scales. These red and white spots may be at various areas along the body like the elbows, the legs, or the back. The impact of the disease is different for every person. It may just be an everyday nuisance for some people, but it causes extreme pain and itchiness for others. Like eczema, the part of the skin affected by psoriasis may return to normal and cause trouble again a while later when exposed to risk factors. The beginning of adulthood is when the disease impacts most people; however, you may experience it later in life.

What are the causes of eczema?

Eczema is caused by an extreme response of the immune system to environmental factors, allergens, toxins, or just generally substances that the body sees as a threat. The most common type of eczema, Atopical Dermatitis, occurs when the immune system's response to any of these aggravating factors is weak. It may also be a result of the combination of genes in your body.

Some types of eczema occur when the skin comes in contact with certain materials. These materials are capable of generating an allergic reaction or irritation. Some of these include:

• Paint
• Detergent
• Salts of chromium, nickel, cobalt
• Makeup products or skincare products
• Jewellery
• Insect bites
• Changes in weather

Frequently keeping your hands and feet damp can make your skin prone to eczema. People who tend to sweat a lot also have higher chances of developing the disease. Ironically, parched hands and feet are also quite vulnerable to eczema.

What are the causes of psoriasis?

Like eczema, psoriasis is also believed to be a disorder of the immune system. Certain conditions stimulate the cells to regenerate at a faster pace and greater frequency. Some of the circumstances that can initiate psoriasis in the body include:

• Stress
• Illnesses like infections
• Excessive consumption of alcohol
• Sunburns
• Bug bites
• Vaccinations
• Some kinds of medications
• Bodily injuries

The risk factors include genetics and smoking. It is pretty standard for children to develop psoriasis if one or both of their parents have it. Smoking tobacco not only increases one's chances of the disease but also worsens the experience.

What are the common symptoms of eczema?

The eczema symptoms are different for everyone in terms of how they appear and how severe they are. Some of the symptoms may be:

• Patches of skin that are red to brown. They may be lighter for darker-skinned people
• Fluid-filled blisters
• Arid and cracked areas of skin
• Itchy bumps that are recognised as hives
• Thickened and scaly patches of skin
• Coin-shaped areas formed across the skin

Wherever eczema develops, it is pretty likely to cause itching. Many people scratch at their eczema-infected areas until they bleed.

While suffering from a severe bout of stasis dermatitis, a type of eczema caused by blood flow problems, many people find their legs swollen, and open sores also appear across the legs' surface.

What are the common symptoms of psoriasis?

Psoriasis may take up large areas or occur in a small spot similar to dandruff settling on the skin. The symptoms roughly include:

• Red and irritated skin patches
• Whitish scales across the inflamed spots
• Pockmarked, thickened nails
• Bleeding if the skin is scratched
• The build-up of plaque across the scalp
• Inflamed joints
• Dehydrated areas of skin that can crack and bleed

The symptoms usually appear in cycles. These cycles alternate between periods of apparent symptoms and periods where no symptoms are experienced. The latter part of the process is described as a remission period.

How can eczema be treated?

There is no permanent treatment for eczema. However, some measures help prevent the symptoms from appearing to minimise them. You can adapt most of these by introducing a slight change in your routine. Others would require going to the doctor first.

Manageable ways to treat eczema at home:

Since weather changes influence eczema to an extent, having an air humidifier in your house will reduce its chances. If your skin tends to get dry quite quickly, you should put on a moisturiser as soon as you shower so that all the moisture seeps into the skin. It would help if you also made a note to take lukewarm baths and avoid rubbing a towel against the skin but gently pat dry it instead. Soaps can also irritate eczema-prone skin, so it's always better to use mild cleansers instead. These are easy-to-practice steps that will decrease your symptoms.

The medication most suited for treating eczema:

There is a wide range of medicines that can treat eczema. Most of these are prescribed as creams applied to the site where irritation occurs. Usually, corticosteroid creams and ointments are provided. In many cases, a bacterial infection may coincide with eczema. For this, doctors prescribe antibiotics. In addition, antihistamines are used to reduce the itching sensation that is common in eczema patients.

How can psoriasis be treated?

Like eczema, psoriasis too can be looked after at home with a bit of effort. However, medical advice should be sought if the condition exacerbates.

Accessible ways to treat psoriasis at home:

When looking to minimise psoriasis flare-ups at home, you need to start with your diet. This means avoiding trigger foods like refined sugar, tomatoes, and large amounts of alcohol. Introducing vitamin supplements into your diet will also help the situation. Other than that, it's important to maintain emotional well-being so as not to develop a flare-up from stress.

Medicinal treatments for psoriasis:

Psoriasis treatments are suggested keeping in mind the type of psoriasis experienced and its severity. Topical medicines like corticosteroids and retinoids are commonly recommended. Cyclosporine is also used sometimes. A helpful alternative to medication is Light therapy. It heals psoriasis-affected skin.

Can I buy treatment for eczema and psoriasis online?

The most suitable treatment for both eczema and psoriasis is available on the click pharmacy website. Some creams and oils will help restore the dehydrated skin and lock in the moisture again. You can also find gentle cleansers and bath gels to use as soap substitutes. You can reach out to the website and consult a health expert about your condition. They will recommend the right product for you, and it'll be on your doorstep in no time.

How long does it take to treat these conditions?

Eczema-infected areas usually heal within two-three weeks if the skin is not exposed to the materials or substances that initiate the disease again. However, if a rash begins to heal and treatment is discontinued, it may flare up.

Psoriasis treatment might require up to 6 weeks to show effectiveness. If you regularly use the topical medicines recommended by your dermatologist, the process will be smooth and quick.

Patient information leaflet

It is crucial you go through the patient information leaflet before you commence any treatment for the skin diseases.