Eczema & Psoriasis

What is eczema?

Eczema (also known as dermatitis) is a non-contagious skin condition (so it can’t be passed from one person to another) that causes red, dry and scaly skin. In more severe cases, there may also be bleeding or weeping of the skin. Because eczema causes the skin to become itchy, sufferers often scratch continuously and end up making their symptoms worse.

Although the condition can affect people of all ages, it’s more prominent in children, and a lot of child sufferers “grow out of” eczema later on. This doesn’t mean that they’ll never experience it again though and symptoms can often re-appear later in life.

Eczema is what happens when your skin is perhaps not producing as many fats and oils as that of a healthy person, leading to dryness. Your skin is also not able to retain as much water, which makes it less plump and more open to bacteria or irritants (like soap and bubble bath). These irritants are what lead to the redness and itching, while the lack of plumpness is what creates the dry feeling.

In most cases of eczema, there will be a family history of the condition, or a history of another, similar atopic condition (such as hayfever or asthma).

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is also a non-contagious skin condition but instead of an overall dryness, it causes patches of red, crusty, flaky skin that are often covered with silvery scales. Most people only have small patches, but in more severe cases they can be quite large. These patches are most common on the elbows, knees, scalp and lower back but can appear anywhere on the body.

Even though it’s a lifelong condition with no current cure, sufferers will not notice severe symptoms at all times. Instead, the patches tend to flare up and then calm down, often because of triggers (which can include anything from infections to medication to stress).

Psoriasis is not fully understood but it’s heavily related to skin cell production and sufferers have an increased amount. Whereas the average person’s skin cells will be replaced every 3-4 weeks, a person with psoriasis will have their skin cells replaced every 3-7 days. The patches of skin associated with psoriasis are the result of the skin cell build-up and the condition is likely to be closely linked to the immune system.

The condition can start at any age but is most common in adults (men and women), younger than 35. It can run in families but the exact role of genetics as a cause is still unknown.

How can I treat eczema and psoriasis?

Because our skin is our largest organ and covers the entirety of our bodies, any skin condition is hard to go unnoticed and sufferers can find the itching and pain that comes with eczema and psoriasis very uncomfortable. Hence why so many seek treatment and our extensive range of options mean that you’ll find the one that’s right for you.

For the most reliable and effective option, prescription treatments are the way to go. However, you can also find plenty of over-the-counter products, as well as some natural or herbal remedies that people have reported success with.