Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Eczema,ringworm, andpsoriasisare common skin conditions that can be difficult to tell apart. They can all cause an itchy, flaky rash with fine scales and affect similar parts of the body. However, each has a different cause and characteristics that set them apart.
This includes the parts of the body that eczema, ringworm, and psoriasis commonly affect. The diseases also differ in their appearance, duration, who they affect, how you get them, and treatment methods.
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Causes of Eczema, Ringworm, and Psoriasis
The main difference between eczema, ringworm, and psoriasis is their cause. This directs not only how conditions are diagnosed but also how they are treated and prevented.
Eczema
Eczema affects people of all ages but usually starts before the age of 5. You cannot “catch” eczema but may be a greater risk if someone in your family has it.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet New Zealandwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Ringworm
Anyone can get ringworm, but children are especially vulnerable to ringworm of the body and scalp. Certain types, like athlete’s foot and jock itch, are more common in teens and adults.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZ and ©Raimo Suhonen www.dermnetnz.org 2022
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZ and ©Raimo Suhonen www.dermnetnz.org 2022
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is anautoimmune diseasein which the immune system attacks the lower layer of skin cells with inflammation. This causes the cells to grow at a vastly accelerated rate, pushing to the surface faster than the old cells can be shed. This causes the formation of crusty patches, known asplaques.
No one knows for certain what causes psoriasis, but, like eczema, certain risk factors can trigger exacerbations, including infections, cold temperatures, sunburn, cuts and scrapes, bug bites, or heavy alcohol use.
Psoriasis can start at any age but generally peaks at 20 to 30 years of age and then again at age 50 to 60. Psoriasis is not contagious.
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet and ©Te Whatu Ora Waikatowww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Symptoms of Psoriasis vs. Ringworm
Telling the difference between eczema, ringworm, and psoriasis can be tricky, particularly since they can sometimes affect the same areas of skin. Even so, there are key differences you should know.
Eczema causes scaly patches of swollen skin with poorly defined borders. They can cause darker patches on lighter skin and lighter patches on darker skin.
Eczema can also cause:
Ringworm can also cause:
Other characteristics include:
Other Key Differences
How Do You Know if It’s Eczema, Ringworm, or Psoriasis?
Each condition has specific criteria for diagnosis:
How Eczema, Ringworm, and Psoriasis Are Treated
The accurate diagnosis of eczema, ringworm, and psoriasis can ensure the correct treatment. A treatment that may work for one condition may not work for the other.
How Eczema Is Treated
Eczema is not curable, but children who develop it early in life may experience clearance later in life. Adults with eczema may have it for a lifetime, but there are things you can do to manage the symptoms and avoid exacerbations.
These include:
It is also important to identify and avoid triggers.
Psoriasis is not curable, butpsoriasis treatmentscan help keep symptoms at bay. There are several approaches dermatologists commonly recommend.
In addition to the avoidance of triggers, these include:
Ringworm Medication and Avoidance
Ringworm can be cured withtopical antifungals. Most cases can be resolved within two to three weeks; some harder-to-treat cases may require a course oforal antifungals.
Options include:
Summary
Although they may look similar, there are ways to tell the difference between eczema, ringworm, and psoriasis.
Eczema is an atopic condition affecting kids and adults that causes swollen areas of itchy, flaky skin. The rash is seen mainly on the back of the knees, inside the elbows, and from of the neck. Eczema disease cannot be cured but may clear on its own as a child ages.
Ringworm is a fungal infection that can affect anyone, although children are generally more vulnerable. Ringworm mainly affects the trunk, arm, legs, face, and scalp, causing one or more scaly ring-shaped rashes. Ringworm can be cured with antifungal drugs.
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes thickened patches of scaly skin on the knees, elbows, trunk, and scalp. Adults are most commonly affected. Psoriasis is incurable but can be managed with gentle skincare, medications, and phototherapy.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Zheng T.The atopic march: progression from atopic dermatitis to allergic rhinitis and asthma.J Clin Cell Immunol. 2014;05(02). doi:10.4172/2155-9899.1000202National Eczema Association.Eczema causes and triggers.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Ringworm and fungal nail infections.Kamiya K, Kishimoto M, Sugai J, Komine M, Ohtsuki M.Risk factors for the development of psoriasis.Int J Mol Sci. 20(18):4347. doi:10.3390/ijms20184347American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: atopic dermatitis overview.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Ringworm: signs and symptoms.National Psoriasis Foundation.Plaque psoriasis.National Health Services (UK).Atopic dermatitis.National Psoriasis Foundation.Finding treatment that works.Leung AKC, Lam JM, Leong KF, Hon KL.Tinea corporis: an updated review.Drugs Context.2020;9:2020-5-6. doi:10.7573/dic.2020-5-6
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Zheng T.The atopic march: progression from atopic dermatitis to allergic rhinitis and asthma.J Clin Cell Immunol. 2014;05(02). doi:10.4172/2155-9899.1000202National Eczema Association.Eczema causes and triggers.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Ringworm and fungal nail infections.Kamiya K, Kishimoto M, Sugai J, Komine M, Ohtsuki M.Risk factors for the development of psoriasis.Int J Mol Sci. 20(18):4347. doi:10.3390/ijms20184347American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: atopic dermatitis overview.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Ringworm: signs and symptoms.National Psoriasis Foundation.Plaque psoriasis.National Health Services (UK).Atopic dermatitis.National Psoriasis Foundation.Finding treatment that works.Leung AKC, Lam JM, Leong KF, Hon KL.Tinea corporis: an updated review.Drugs Context.2020;9:2020-5-6. doi:10.7573/dic.2020-5-6
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Zheng T.The atopic march: progression from atopic dermatitis to allergic rhinitis and asthma.J Clin Cell Immunol. 2014;05(02). doi:10.4172/2155-9899.1000202National Eczema Association.Eczema causes and triggers.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Ringworm and fungal nail infections.Kamiya K, Kishimoto M, Sugai J, Komine M, Ohtsuki M.Risk factors for the development of psoriasis.Int J Mol Sci. 20(18):4347. doi:10.3390/ijms20184347American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: atopic dermatitis overview.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Ringworm: signs and symptoms.National Psoriasis Foundation.Plaque psoriasis.National Health Services (UK).Atopic dermatitis.National Psoriasis Foundation.Finding treatment that works.Leung AKC, Lam JM, Leong KF, Hon KL.Tinea corporis: an updated review.Drugs Context.2020;9:2020-5-6. doi:10.7573/dic.2020-5-6
Zheng T.The atopic march: progression from atopic dermatitis to allergic rhinitis and asthma.J Clin Cell Immunol. 2014;05(02). doi:10.4172/2155-9899.1000202
National Eczema Association.Eczema causes and triggers.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Ringworm and fungal nail infections.
Kamiya K, Kishimoto M, Sugai J, Komine M, Ohtsuki M.Risk factors for the development of psoriasis.Int J Mol Sci. 20(18):4347. doi:10.3390/ijms20184347
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: atopic dermatitis overview.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Ringworm: signs and symptoms.
National Psoriasis Foundation.Plaque psoriasis.
National Health Services (UK).Atopic dermatitis.
National Psoriasis Foundation.Finding treatment that works.
Leung AKC, Lam JM, Leong KF, Hon KL.Tinea corporis: an updated review.Drugs Context.2020;9:2020-5-6. doi:10.7573/dic.2020-5-6
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