Dry and itchy skin? This is how to tell if you have eczema or … – Express.co.uk

Posted: Published on May 24th, 2017

This post was added by Dr. Richardson

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There are six million people in the UK suffering from eczema - also known as atopic dermatitis - which are a set of chronic skin conditions triggered by inflammation.

Similarly, there are an estimated 1.8 million people with psoriasis, or red, flaky, crusty patches of skin covered with silvery scales.

However, a new study says that while the two skin diseases may seem similar at first, what they have in common is only skin deep.

The research published in the journal Nature Communications found that they are actually very different.

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While eczema is driven by an allergic reaction, psoriasis is considered an autoimmune disease.

While eczema is driven by an allergic reaction, psoriasis is considered an autoimmune disease.

However, the researchers were able to pinpoint a common driver of inflammation in both conditions.

This new information could help them target a treatment.

They discovered that TWEAK, a protein related to tumour necrosis factor, is responsible for fuelling inflammation in both.

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Resist the itch - Eczema is almost always itchy no matter where it occurs on the body and although it may be tempting to scratch affected areas of the skin, this should be avoided as much as possible

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Michael Croft, Ph.D., professor and head in the Division of Immune Regulation at La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, who led the research, said: "Atopic dermatitis and psoriasis are two distinct diseases that are induced by alternate immune responses and the factors involved are quite different.

"Showing that TWEAK is a critical mediator in both conditions, makes it a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases in general."

However, while treatment could be similar, the symptoms of the skin conditions can be very different. Heres how to tell them apart.

Appearance

Psoriasis causes thick, red and scaly patches that are usually well-defined, while eczema patches are red or browny grey in colour.

The latter can also appear as small, raised bumps, and have a crust that leaks fluid.

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Itching

Psoriasis triggers mild itching, while with eczema it is very intense and usually worse at night.

Age

Eczema usually affects children, and tends to go away around the age of five or six.

In contrast, psoriasis commonly develops between the ages of 15 and 35 and very rarely affects children.

Location

Eczema usually appears in the crooks of elbows, backs of the knee and other bends in the skin.

Psoriasis usually targets the elbows and knees.

Stiffness and swelling

Psoriasis can cause joint stiffness and swelling, and can affect the nails.

Eczema doesnt usually do this.

See the article here:
Dry and itchy skin? This is how to tell if you have eczema or ... - Express.co.uk

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