Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsComparison ChartRosaceaPsoriasisEczema
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Comparison Chart
Rosacea
Psoriasis
Eczema
Rosacea, psoriasis, and eczema share some symptoms, such as rashes, bumps, redness, and itching.However, they are different conditions, though it is possible to have more than one of them at the same time. The symptoms may not warrant much attention when they cause minor discomfort.
Still,rosacea,psoriasis, andeczematend to be chronic conditions, even if they’re rarely life-threatening. They can lead to complications if left untreated, so it’s worth seeing a healthcare provider to get a formal diagnosis, particularly if symptoms persist. Read on to learn how to distinguish psoriasis from eczema or rosacea.
Psoriasis vs. Eczema vs. Rosacea
Psoriasis, eczema, and rosacea can look alike. But, there are some ways to tell them apart.
Rosacea is more common among fair-skinned people ages 30 to 50 years. It’s slightly more common in females rather than males.Even so, rosacea can develop at any age, even during childhood.
Symptoms of Rosacea
Rosacea primarily occurs on the face and causes symptoms that include:
These symptoms often come and go, with periods when they’re more severe and times when they’re milder.
In addition, the symptoms of rosacea typically follow a pattern. Initially, the central areas of the face are affected, with flushing spreading over time to the cheeks, forehead, chin, and nose. Rosacea can even extend to include the eyes, ears, chest, and back.
Tiny blood vessels, pimples, and pustules sometimes, but not always, crop up in the red areas of the face.As such, rosacea is commonly mistaken for acne. However, with rosacea, no blackheads appear. The absence of blackheads can help distinguish rosacea from acne.
Over time, the facial blood vessels can become enlarged and make the redness more visible.
It’s worth noting that more than half of people with rosacea develop a problem calledocular rosacea, in which the eyes sting, burn, and feel gritty. Left untreated, this may lead to problems with vision.
Lastly, rosacea may eventually lead to thickening of the skin, most commonly of the nose (calledrhinophyma). Rhinophyma tends to strike men who have had rosacea for years and may become disfiguring enough to require surgery.
Rosacea Triggers
Scientists are still trying to understand the underlying causes of rosacea, but there is believed to be an underlying genetic predisposition. There’s some evidence that a specific protein active in the immune system may contribute to the skin color changes in some people.
Bacterial infection or the presence of mites commonly affecting humans may play a role. Common environmental triggers include:
Rosacea Treatments
A variety of topical treatments may help treat rosacea, including:
Laser treatment orelectrodesiccation—using a tiny needle that delivers electricity to the blood vessel to destroy it—may also improve symptoms.Light therapy also can be used.
Lastly, blood pressure medications likebeta-blockersand Catapres (clonidine) are sometimes helpful in reducing flushing associated with rosacea.
Ildar Abulkhanov / Getty Images
Rosacea vs. EczemaOne distinguishing difference between rosacea and eczema is that it is not uncommon to see blood vessels beneath the skin with rosacea.In addition, the location of the rash can help identify the culprit: A rosacea rash is more common on the cheeks, whereasfacial eczemais more common around the eyes and lips.
Rosacea vs. Eczema
One distinguishing difference between rosacea and eczema is that it is not uncommon to see blood vessels beneath the skin with rosacea.In addition, the location of the rash can help identify the culprit: A rosacea rash is more common on the cheeks, whereasfacial eczemais more common around the eyes and lips.
Autoimmune disease is the root cause of psoriasis. That means yourimmune systemtreats your skin like a foreign invader, attacking and damaging it.
Psoriasis can develop at any age, even during childhood. However, it tends to run in families and waxes and wanes in severity over a lifetime.
Symptoms of Psoriasis
Plaque psoriasis can also affect the scalp, causing it to become very scaly, resembling dandruff. Nails, too, may be targeted, and if so, they may become pitted, ridged, and loose.
Other forms of psoriasis have notable features:
Some people develop a form of arthritis calledpsoriatic arthritis. A few classic symptoms include prolonged morning stiffness, fatigue, and sausage-shaped fingers and toes (calleddactylitis).
Psoriasis Triggers
Infections are frequent triggers of psoriasis flares, especially strep infections, which are highly correlated with guttate psoriasis.
Other possible triggers for psoriasis include:
Psoriasis Treatments
A variety of topical treatments may help improve symptoms of psoriasis, including:
Exposure to ultraviolet light may improve symptoms, whether natural, outdoor sunlight or a special lamp/light at a healthcare provider’s office.
Severe cases may require treatment with powerfulpsoriasis medications, including:
RUTH JENKINSON / Getty Images
Eczema (also known as atopic dermatitis) can develop at any age, even during infancy. However, it usually begins before age 5 and affects about 13% of children in the United States.
Eczema tends to run in families, especially in those prone to allergies and asthma. About half of children diagnosed with eczema also will develop allergic asthma or hay fever.
Symptoms of Eczema
Experts believe eczema is primarily due to skin barrier dysfunction and is often genetically mediated. Affected areas may become cracked, discolored, blistered, crusty, or scaly and may weep clear fluid. People with eczema are at increased risk of developing skin infections, especially withStaphylococcus aureus.
Eczema can crop up anywhere, although common areas are in skin folds and on the cheeks, backs of the hands, tops of the arms, and fronts of the legs.
Eczema Triggers
Triggers for eczema include:
Eczema Treatments
When you have eczema, it’s essential to keep your skin clean and well-moisturized.Take short, warm (not hot) showers, and use a non-soap cleanser. Applying a moisturizer to the entire body within three minutes of getting out of the shower can go a long way in protecting your skin’s barrier.
When skincare is not enough, topical steroids can improve redness and itching, but you should only use them for short periods.Topical medications that can help include:
Eczema vs. PsoriasisOne of the most significant differences between eczema and psoriasis is the level of itching. While both skin conditions can cause itching, the itch associated with eczema is intense, causing some people to scratch their skin until it bleeds, often in their sleep.In addition, the borders of psoriasis are more well-defined than those of eczema.
Eczema vs. Psoriasis
One of the most significant differences between eczema and psoriasis is the level of itching. While both skin conditions can cause itching, the itch associated with eczema is intense, causing some people to scratch their skin until it bleeds, often in their sleep.In addition, the borders of psoriasis are more well-defined than those of eczema.
For moderate to severe cases of eczema that are not well managed with topical prescription treatments or for which topical treatments aren’t advised, biologic drugs Dupixent (dupilumab) and Adbry (tralokinumab-ldrm), as well as oral JAK inhibitors like Rinvoq (upadacitinib), are other treatment options.
In severe cases of eczema, you might need immunosuppressants such as Trexall (methotrexate), Sandimmune (cyclosporine), or Imuran (azathioprine).
Engdao Wichitpunya / EyeEm / Getty Images
Summary
Rosacea, psoriasis, and eczema are common skin problems with some shared—and some unique—symptoms, triggers, and treatments. Eczema, for example, tends to be extremely itchy, while rosacea often leads to bright, flushed facial skin.
Aside from evaluating these conditions, your healthcare provider will also consider other skin conditions that need to be ruled out, including some conditions that may be more serious.
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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.National Rosacea Society.All About Rosacea: Signs & Symptoms and Treatment.American Academy of Dermatology.What causes rosacea?.American Academy of Dermatology.Rosacea: signs and symptoms.Avraham S, Khaslavsky S, Kashetsky N, Starkey SY, Zaslavsky K, Lam JM,et al.Treatment of ocular rosacea: a systematic review.J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2024 Feb;22(2):167-174. doi:10.1111/ddg.15290Chauhan R, Loewenstein SN, Hassanein AH.Rhinophyma: Prevalence, Severity, Impact and Management.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2020 Aug 11;13:537-551. doi:10.2147/CCID.S201290American Academy of Dermatology Association.Rosacea: Causes.American Academy of Dermatology.Triggers could be causing your rosacea flare-ups.American Academy of Dermatology.Rosacea: diagnosis and treatment.Logger JGM, Olydam JI, Driessen RJB.Use of beta-blockers for rosacea-associated facial erythema and flushing: A systematic review and update on proposed mode of action.J Am Acad Dermatol.2020 Oct;83(4):1088-1097. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2020.04.129National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Psoriasis.American Academy of Dermatology.Psoriasis: causes.Song Z, Geng Y, Zhang X, Deng X, Zhang Z.Subclinical dactylitis is linked with active phenotype of psoriatic arthritis.Joint Bone Spine. 2024 Sep 24;92(1):105784. doi:10.1016/j.jbspin.2024.105784DermNet.Guttate psoriasis.American Academy of Dermatology.Psoriasis: medications and light therapies.National Eczema Association.Atopic Dermatitis in Children.George SM, Karanovic S, Harrison DA, Rani A, Birnie AJ, Bath-Hextall FJ,et al.Interventions to reduce Staphylococcus aureus in the management of eczema.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019 Oct 29;2019(10):CD003871. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003871.pub3American Academy of Dermatology.Childhood eczema: triggers can cause eczema to flare.Hajar T, Gontijo JRV, Hanifin JM.New and developing therapies for atopic dermatitis.An Bras Dermatol. 2018;93(1):104-107. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20187682National Eczema Society.Itching and scratching.LEO Pharma.Adbry is now FDA-approved.
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.
National Rosacea Society.All About Rosacea: Signs & Symptoms and Treatment.American Academy of Dermatology.What causes rosacea?.American Academy of Dermatology.Rosacea: signs and symptoms.Avraham S, Khaslavsky S, Kashetsky N, Starkey SY, Zaslavsky K, Lam JM,et al.Treatment of ocular rosacea: a systematic review.J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2024 Feb;22(2):167-174. doi:10.1111/ddg.15290Chauhan R, Loewenstein SN, Hassanein AH.Rhinophyma: Prevalence, Severity, Impact and Management.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2020 Aug 11;13:537-551. doi:10.2147/CCID.S201290American Academy of Dermatology Association.Rosacea: Causes.American Academy of Dermatology.Triggers could be causing your rosacea flare-ups.American Academy of Dermatology.Rosacea: diagnosis and treatment.Logger JGM, Olydam JI, Driessen RJB.Use of beta-blockers for rosacea-associated facial erythema and flushing: A systematic review and update on proposed mode of action.J Am Acad Dermatol.2020 Oct;83(4):1088-1097. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2020.04.129National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Psoriasis.American Academy of Dermatology.Psoriasis: causes.Song Z, Geng Y, Zhang X, Deng X, Zhang Z.Subclinical dactylitis is linked with active phenotype of psoriatic arthritis.Joint Bone Spine. 2024 Sep 24;92(1):105784. doi:10.1016/j.jbspin.2024.105784DermNet.Guttate psoriasis.American Academy of Dermatology.Psoriasis: medications and light therapies.National Eczema Association.Atopic Dermatitis in Children.George SM, Karanovic S, Harrison DA, Rani A, Birnie AJ, Bath-Hextall FJ,et al.Interventions to reduce Staphylococcus aureus in the management of eczema.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019 Oct 29;2019(10):CD003871. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003871.pub3American Academy of Dermatology.Childhood eczema: triggers can cause eczema to flare.Hajar T, Gontijo JRV, Hanifin JM.New and developing therapies for atopic dermatitis.An Bras Dermatol. 2018;93(1):104-107. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20187682National Eczema Society.Itching and scratching.LEO Pharma.Adbry is now FDA-approved.
National Rosacea Society.All About Rosacea: Signs & Symptoms and Treatment.
American Academy of Dermatology.What causes rosacea?.
American Academy of Dermatology.Rosacea: signs and symptoms.
Avraham S, Khaslavsky S, Kashetsky N, Starkey SY, Zaslavsky K, Lam JM,et al.Treatment of ocular rosacea: a systematic review.J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2024 Feb;22(2):167-174. doi:10.1111/ddg.15290
Chauhan R, Loewenstein SN, Hassanein AH.Rhinophyma: Prevalence, Severity, Impact and Management.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2020 Aug 11;13:537-551. doi:10.2147/CCID.S201290
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Rosacea: Causes.
American Academy of Dermatology.Triggers could be causing your rosacea flare-ups.
American Academy of Dermatology.Rosacea: diagnosis and treatment.
Logger JGM, Olydam JI, Driessen RJB.Use of beta-blockers for rosacea-associated facial erythema and flushing: A systematic review and update on proposed mode of action.J Am Acad Dermatol.2020 Oct;83(4):1088-1097. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2020.04.129
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Psoriasis.
American Academy of Dermatology.Psoriasis: causes.
Song Z, Geng Y, Zhang X, Deng X, Zhang Z.Subclinical dactylitis is linked with active phenotype of psoriatic arthritis.Joint Bone Spine. 2024 Sep 24;92(1):105784. doi:10.1016/j.jbspin.2024.105784
DermNet.Guttate psoriasis.
American Academy of Dermatology.Psoriasis: medications and light therapies.
National Eczema Association.Atopic Dermatitis in Children.
George SM, Karanovic S, Harrison DA, Rani A, Birnie AJ, Bath-Hextall FJ,et al.Interventions to reduce Staphylococcus aureus in the management of eczema.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019 Oct 29;2019(10):CD003871. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003871.pub3
American Academy of Dermatology.Childhood eczema: triggers can cause eczema to flare.
Hajar T, Gontijo JRV, Hanifin JM.New and developing therapies for atopic dermatitis.An Bras Dermatol. 2018;93(1):104-107. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20187682
National Eczema Society.Itching and scratching.
LEO Pharma.Adbry is now FDA-approved.
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