Eczema vs Psoriasis

By the AllHealth UK editorial teamLast reviewed 26 August 2026Next review due 26 February 2027Compiled from published NHS and NICE guidance. Not reviewed by a clinician.

Is it eczema or psoriasis?

Eczema is dry, cracked, intensely itchy skin, commonly on the hands, elbows and knees, and it usually starts in babies and young children. Psoriasis forms thicker patches with clear edges, covered in what look like silvery-white or grey scales, typically on the scalp, back, elbows and knees, and it can pit or dent the nails. A GP can normally tell them apart by looking.

Immediate action required: call 999 or go to A&E if

Eczema that is blistered, leaking fluid or has pus-filled spots, or skin that is painful, swollen or warm, or a high temperature — infected eczema or eczema herpeticum: urgent GP appointment or call 111
Psoriasis where your skin quickly turns red with white pus-filled bumps that join together, or pus-filled bumps on your fingers, toes or soles — call 999

If you are weighing up whether it is bad enough to call, that is itself a reason to call. Nobody is annoyed by a 999 call that turns out to be the less serious of the two.

Atopic Eczema compared with Psoriasis
Feature	Atopic Eczema	Psoriasis
Typical signs	Itch is the dominant symptom Dry, cracked, crusty or scaly skin Common on the hands, elbows and knees Flares with soap, detergents, heat or stress Usually starts in babies and young children	Thick patches with silvery-white or grey scales Clearly defined edges, roughly 1 to 2cm across Scalp, behind the ears, back, elbows and knees Dents and pits in the fingernails Often sore as much as itchy
How long it lasts	Long term with flare-ups; often improves as children get older	Long term with flare-ups; often starts age 15 to 25, or 50 to 60
What helps	Moisturisers (emollients) used generously, plus a steroid cream for flares	Emollients, vitamin D creams, coal tar or steroid creams; light therapy if severe
What to do	See a GP	See a GP

Sources and further reading

This page was written from the following published guidance. All links checked 26 August 2026.

What to do next

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