Atopic Dermatitis vs Psoriasis
Atopic Dermatitis and Psoriasis are easy to mix up on the boards. Here's a side-by-side comparison — presentation, workup, imaging, and first-line treatment — drawn from our full outlines.
Atopic Dermatitis vs Psoriasis at a glance
- Atopic Dermatitis: Chronic relapsing pruritic inflammatory dermatosis driven by skin barrier dysfunction and Th2 immune skewing; part of the atopic march.
- Psoriasis: Chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disorder with well-demarcated erythematous plaques and silvery scale; systemic comorbidities.
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Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Atopic Dermatitis | Psoriasis |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | Chronic relapsing pruritic inflammatory dermatosis driven by skin barrier dysfunction and Th2 immune skewing; part of the atopic march. | Chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disorder with well-demarcated erythematous plaques and silvery scale; systemic comorbidities. |
| Classic presentation | Flexural eczematous patches with lichenification in a child or adolescent with personal/family atopy.; Intense pruritus — required feature; often worse at night, disrupts sleep; Chronic relapsing course with flares and remissions; Dry skin (xerosis) between flares; Infants (0-2 yrs): erythematous, weeping, crusted patches on cheeks,… | Auspitz sign (pinpoint bleeding after scale removal); Koebner phenomenon (plaques at sites of trauma); silvery micaceous scale.; Pruritus (often less intense than eczema), burning, soreness; Joint pain, stiffness (PsA) — morning stiffness, dactylitis, enthesitis; Psychosocial impact, depression, sexual dysfunction; Plaque psoriasis… |
| Workup / key labs | Hanifin and Rajka criteria (3 major + 3 minor) or AAD simplified criteria. Essential features: pruritus + eczematous dermatitis in age-typical distribution + chronic/relapsing course.; Clinical diagnosis — no required labs; Serum total IgE often elevated; allergen-specific IgE or skin-prick testing only if clear allergic trigger… | Clinical diagnosis based on lesion morphology and distribution; severity by BSA, PASI, and impact (DLQI). Mild: BSA <3%; moderate: 3-10%; severe: >10% OR involvement of face, palms/soles, genitals, or nails with disability.; Clinical diagnosis; Skin biopsy if diagnosis uncertain: parakeratosis, Munro microabscesses, regular acanthosis,… |
| Imaging | Not indicated | Not routinely indicated for skin disease; Joint X-rays/MRI for suspected PsA: 'pencil-in-cup' deformity, periostitis, ankylosis |
| First-line treatment | Skin barrier repair: emollient/moisturizer (ceramide-containing, petrolatum-based) applied liberally ≥2x/day and immediately after bathing ('soak and seal'); Lukewarm short baths/showers with non-soap cleanser (e.g., syndet); pat dry; Topical corticosteroid potency tailored to severity and site — hydrocortisone 1-2.5% (low; face, folds,… | Mild-moderate (limited BSA): topical corticosteroid potency by site — clobetasol 0.05% (high; trunk/extremities, 2 wks then taper), triamcinolone 0.1% (mid), hydrocortisone 1-2.5% (face/folds); Topical vitamin D analogues — calcipotriene/calcipotriol, calcitriol — often combined with steroid (calcipotriene/betamethasone foam, ointment);… |
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