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Eczema & Psoriasis

Eczema and psoriasis can have a devastating impact on a person's life, impacting their self-esteem. While some consider them aesthetic conditions, both can cause physical symptoms, including discomfort and swelling.

If you're looking for effective treatments, Pharmacy Online has a range of medicines for psoriasis and eczema. With convenient delivery straight to your door and a team of registered pharmacists to offer advice, we can help you get healthier skin.

What is eczema?

Eczema is a common form of dermatitis that causes inflammation and irritated skin. The skin's barrier function becomes weaker with eczema, halting its ability to retain moisture. There are numerous forms of eczema, including:

  • Discoid: Also known as nummular eczema, individuals who suffer from the condition in childhood are more likely to develop discoid dermatitis later in life. It often causes flare-ups in the winter months.
  • Contact: Another common form of eczema is contact dermatitis, which happens when the skin suffers a reaction from everyday items, including laundry detergent, lotions and cold wind.
  • Atopic: According to the National Eczema Society, atopic eczema is the most common form, impacting one in five children and one in ten adults. It causes red, itchy skin and can often occur along with hay fever.
  • Dyshidrotic: This eczema typically impacts the hands and feet, causing painful blisters and itchy skin.
  • Genital: This form of eczema can be incredibly painful and affects both men and women. Many people experience it when they use soaps, sprays or hygiene products.

There are other forms of eczema, but these are the most common.

Common eczema symptoms

The condition impacts people differently, but there are some distinct symptoms that characterise eczema. They include:

  • Skin that flakes, scales or crusts
  • Inflamed skin
  • Itchy skin
  • Dry skin
  • Bumps or patches
  • Discolouration - either pink, purple and red or brown and grey

You might notice eczema impacts one or multiple areas of your skin, including the following: 

  • Genitals
  • Ears
  • Knees and feet
  • Hands and arms
  • Face and neck
  • Lips
  • Breasts

What causes eczema?

There are numerous potential causes of eczema, and it can impact each person differently. Some people experience the condition due to environmental factors, while others might have flare-ups.

Genetics

According to Medical News Today, studies have shown that eczema can be inherited. If a parent has a history of eczema, their children are at higher risk. There are higher instances of the condition in individuals with asthma or hay fever.

The immune system

Our immune systems are responsible for battling infections and protecting us against bacteria. In some people, these responses are more sensitive, and a reaction might occur when the skin is exposed to environmental elements that can trigger eczema.

Irritants

Our skin is exposed to numerous daily elements, including soap, lotions and the environment. While inconclusive, some research points to higher cases of atopic eczema in urban areas, pointing to pollutants as a potential cause (PubMed).

Diagnosing eczema

Atopic eczema is easy to diagnose, and your GP will ask some questions about the rash and when it appears. If you meet the criteria, they'll inform you of the next steps, including treatment options. Rarer forms of the condition might require specialist attention.

Risk factors for eczema

Eczema often appears on its own, but certain risk factors can worsen the condition and trigger further rashes. Unfortunately, some triggers are unavoidable, but understanding them might prevent flare-ups.

Very dry skin

One key element of reducing eczema is keeping the skin moisturised. However, if you use hot water while washing and spend a lot of time in the sun, even the best moisturising treatments won't be enough to prevent rashes.

Using irritants

Some may be more sensitive to certain soaps, detergents, or perfumes. Pets, pollen and other environmental elements might contribute to eczema. Understanding when rashes occur lets you identify what not to use and protect your skin.

Emotional and hormonal triggers

Times of excessive stress can trigger eczema, as can hormonal changes. Pregnancy can cause eczema to get worse, but some women find theirs disappears completely (National Eczema Society).

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is another skin condition that causes scaly and itchy patches of skin. It often occurs on the elbows, trunk, knees and scalp and looks like silver or white scales.

The University of Manchester estimates the condition impacts over 1.1 million people in the UK alone, making it less common than eczema. Unfortunately, psoriasis is a chronic condition that causes long-term pain and irritation.

Psoriasis symptoms include:

  • Flakes in the scalp that resemble dandruff
  • Sore, itchy and burning skin
  • Red, raised patches
  • White/silver scales
  • Cracked skin that can bleed
  • Lesions that flare up

The causes of psoriasis

While eczema can occur due to environmental triggers, psoriasis happens due to an internal reaction. However, some environmental factors can worsen the condition or cause new flare-ups. Psoriasis is also more common in adults than children, although they can get it.

Immune system malfunctions

The most common cause of psoriasis is reactions within the immune system, which happen when the T Cells go into overdrive. Their overactivity causes the skin to produce new cells, creating scaly patches and damaging previously healthy skin cells.

Genetics

As with eczema, psoriasis can run in families. If your parents have the condition, you have an increased risk. Gene variations might also cause psoriasis - and people in Europe are most likely to develop it (NCBI).

Diagnosing the condition

Psoriasis is relatively easy to diagnose, as your GP will notice the patches. In most cases, you won't need to go for specialist treatment, but the doctor might take skin samples if they feel it might be infected.

After mapping your skin, the doctor will advise on the best treatment options, depending on the severity of the rash and where it appears.

Risk factors for psoriasis

Psoriasis can worsen without treatment and when exposed to environmental triggers. While these issues don't directly cause psoriasis, they can elevate your symptoms and cause frequent flare-ups.

Lifestyle choices

Smokers, frequent smokers and individuals with poor diets can often experience worsening rashes. It's essential to manage your weight and get enough exercise. Switching foods high in sugar and saturated fats for healthier alternatives is beneficial for psoriasis.

Environmental triggers

Emotional stress and depression can aggravate psoriasis, as can spending a lot of time in the sun. Some people notice their symptoms worsen when they're dealing with infections and colds, but medications such as lithium and beta blockers can also trigger the symptoms.

Medicines to treat eczema and psoriasis

There are numerous treatments available for eczema and psoriasis - including self-care and medicines. Once you receive a diagnosis, your GP will recommend the best course of action, you can also access our medications to reduce the symptoms.

Steroid creams

Topical corticosteroids are beneficial for reducing inflammation associated with psoriasis and eczema. Popular options include betamethasone and hydrocortisone, with treatments available for various applications.

For example, Betnovate Cream is ideal for treating the arms, trunk and other areas, while Betacap can relieve scalp psoriasis. Other options include Eumovate Cream, which contains a steroid called clobetasone butyrate.

Calcineurin inhibitors

Renowned for their ability to treat inflammatory skin conditions, calcineurin inhibitors can effectively treat the swelling associated with eczema and psoriasis. Popular treatments include pimecrolimus, which treats sensitive skin and tacrolimus.

Your GP might also prescribe tacrolimus if other eczema creams don't work, making it a suitable treatment for severe cases.

Vitamin D Analogues

Vitamin D is also known as the sunshine vitamin, one of the most important nutrients for your skin. Synthetic forms can promote healthier skin cells and slow down the growth. A combination of Vitamin D and topical steroids can benefit people with moderate to severe eczema.

Popular treatments include Dovobet, which contains betamethasone and synthetic Vitamin D to treat scalp problems.

Retinoids

Topical and oral retinoids can treat severe psoriasis by slowing skin cell growth. However, depending on your chosen medication, it might not be suitable for women. Some people also find retinoids aggravate their skin.

Injections

The most severe cases of eczema and psoriasis might benefit from injections—although these are often reserved for when topical creams and oral medicines don't work. Regular injections can suppress the immune system's reactions, which prevents flare-ups.

Buy psoriasis and eczema treatments with Pharmacy Online

Eczema can cause a lot of discomfort, while psoriasis has an associated risk of skin infections. They are both, however, treatable with the right medicines. If you're looking for prescription eczema cream or psoriasis scalp treatments, Pharmacy Online has a range of effective medications.

Whether you're dealing with mild or moderate eczema, our topical treatments, including steroid cream, are used to treat psoriasis, too.

Complete a short online assessment

Our primary aim is to give you the best treatment options for your needs without inconvenience. When you buy medicines with Pharmacy Online, we ask you to complete a short online assessment, which enables us to ensure you can access suitable medication.

Once you select the treatment, head to the checkout and place your order—we'll ship it straight to your door in discreet packaging. Please feel free to contact our dedicated pharmacists with any questions.

FAQ

  • Are there alternative treatments for eczema other than medicated creams?

    While medicines are often the first line of treatment, you can use them in conjunction with other therapies to speed up your results and reduce relapses. Remember, some therapies are a matter of trial and error, but many people find them effective.

    Light therapies

    Light therapy can also benefit psoriasis and eczema treatment, as it gives the skin a healthy dose of light, reducing the appearance of both conditions. Controlled exposure to natural sunlight can also give your skin a healthy dose of Vitamin D.

    Wet wraps

    Wet wrap therapy is a unique treatment for addressing skin inflammation and dryness. It's also easy to administer at home, as all you'll need is a moisturiser and some bandages. Wrapping the skin with bandages can lock in moisture and keep the skin from getting dry.

    Cleansing products and moisturising treatments

    Cleansing products for psoriasis and eczema include gentle face washes and moisturisers. Using a night eczema cream can also help you manage the symptoms effectively.

    Remember, some products will damage sensitive skin, so it's important to test them on a small area before using them.

Causes

There are no known causes of eczema, but it has been suggested that it is caused by allergies, which can irritate the skin. It usually runs in families and can often develop alongside hay fever.

The cause of psoriasis is slightly more understood. It is thought that the immune system attacks healthy cells of the body, particularly skin cells, resulting in an increased production of skin cells, which causes psoriatic plaques.

Treatments

There is no cure for eczema or psoriasis. Still, treatment options are available to help relieve the symptoms of flare-ups. If you find that either of these skin conditions is interfering with your day-to-day life, contact us here at Pharmacy Online to find a treatment option that works best for you. 

Symptoms

Symptoms tend to vary between eczema and psoriasis. Eczema symptoms include itchy, dry, or red patches over the body. Plaque psoriasis typically causes patches of skin build-up that are dry, crusty, red, and covered in itchy or sore scales.

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