Comparison of Scabies and Psoriasis: Visuals, Diagnosis, Therapies, and Additional Details
Scabies and psoriasis are two common skin conditions that, while sharing some symptoms, have distinct appearances, treatments, and prevention methods.
Scabies, a contagious skin condition, is caused by microscopic mites that burrow into the skin and lay eggs. The appearance of scabies typically includes intensely itchy, small red bumps or blisters, often with visible thin, wavy, grayish burrow lines. These lesions are commonly found in web spaces of fingers, wrists, elbows, armpits, waist, and genital area.
On the other hand, psoriasis is a non-contagious autoimmune skin condition that appears as well-defined red or salmon-coloured plaques covered with thick silvery or white scales. Lesions commonly occur on the scalp, elbows, knees, lower back, and nails, and plaques may crack and bleed.
Scabies causes very intense itching, especially at night, often worse than psoriasis itching. Itching is due to an allergic reaction to mites and their eggs. In contrast, psoriasis itching varies but is often milder compared to scabies. Psoriasis also involves dry, scaly, sometimes bleeding plaques; it is an autoimmune condition causing rapid skin cell turnover rather than infection.
Treatment for scabies involves medication such as a scabicide cream that contains permethrin. All close contacts must be treated simultaneously. Bedding and clothes need thorough washing or isolation. Psoriasis treatments include topical corticosteroids, phototherapy, systemic immunosuppressants, and biologic drugs targeting immune pathways. Treatment is chronic and aims to control flare-ups rather than cure.
Preventing scabies involves avoiding skin-to-skin contact with infected individuals, as the condition is highly contagious. Psoriasis prevention of flare-ups includes avoiding triggers like stress, infections, cold weather, certain medications, and skin injury (Koebner phenomenon).
For individuals who smoke, it is advised to cut down or entirely quit smoking, as smoking has been linked to psoriasis and can interfere with immune system function.
Researchers are not yet sure of what causes psoriasis, but genetic and environmental factors play a role. People should avoid factors that may cause or worsen psoriasis, such as mental stress, infection, trauma, damp or humid conditions, drug use, alcohol, smoking, UV exposure, and smoking.
Scabies and psoriasis may cause similar symptoms to eczema, but they are distinct conditions with different causes and treatment options. Scabies is more prevalent in locations where numerous people are in close contact, while psoriasis can occur on any part of the body, including the face, hands, soles of the feet, armpits, joints, and can have various sub-types, the most common being plaque psoriasis.
Scabies can go away with medication, while psoriasis is a chronic condition with no cure. Managing external factors such as stress levels can help prevent psoriasis flare-ups. Scabies can appear on fingers, wrists, elbows, armpits, genitals, breasts, head, and neck (especially in older adults or infants). Scabies can be challenging to prevent because an infected individual may not show symptoms for weeks.
In conclusion, understanding the differences between scabies and psoriasis can guide clinicians and patients in early recognition and appropriate treatment. Intense nighttime itching, burrows, and small red bumps favor scabies, while well-defined, thick, scaly plaques with mild-moderate itching on common psoriasis sites (elbows, knees, scalp) favor psoriasis.
- Scabies, a skin condition caused by mites, presents with intensely itchy, small red bumps or blisters, often accompanied by visible thin, wavy, grayish burrow lines, while psoriasis appears as well-defined, thick, scaly, red or salmon-coloured plaques.
- Treatment for scabies involves medications such as scabicide cream that contains permethrin, while psoriasis treatments include topical corticosteroids, phototherapy, immunosuppressants, and biologic drugs that target immune pathways.
- Preventing scabies involves avoiding skin-to-skin contact with infected individuals, while psoriasis prevention can be achieved by avoiding triggers like stress, infections, and smoking.
- Scabies is a contagious skin condition that can appear on various body parts such as fingers, wrists, elbows, armpits, genitals, breasts, head, and neck, whereas psoriasis, a non-contagious autoimmune skin condition, can occur on any part of the body, including the face, hands, soles of the feet, and armpits.
