IS IT ECZEMA OR PITYRIASIS VESICOLOR?

October 05, 2020

Your skin is itchy, red and dry. You can’t stop scratching. After googling your symptoms, you’re quick to conclude it’s eczema.

But before you rush to the pharmacy, you need to know there are other skin conditions that can have visually similar symptoms and your eczema cream probably won’t work for them.

Eczema vs Pityriasis versicolor

Patches of itchy, red and dry skin could signal any one of these two common conditions; eczema or pityriasis vesicolor, but only a dermatologist can make a diagnosis. The symptoms of these conditions can be similar, but the causes, risk factors and treatments are different.

Causes and risk factors

Eczema is a term for a group of conditions in which patches of skin become rough and inflamed with blisters that cause itching and bleeding; sometimes resulting from a reaction to irritation but more typically having no obvious external cause. There are different types of eczema but many people use the word eczema when referring to atopic dermatitis, which is the most common type of eczema. The term atopic refers to a collection of conditions that involve the immune system while the word dermatitis refers to inflammation of the skin. Certain foods, such as nuts and dairy; and environmental triggers including smoke, pollen, soaps and fragrances can trigger symptoms. Eczema is not contagious.

Pityriasis vesicolor, sometimes called tinea vesicolor is a fungal infection caused by an overgrowth of yeast. It is a common condition that causes small patches of skin to become scaly and discoloured. It is more common in hot, humid climates, which means people in tropical regions are bmore likely to develop it. Pityriasis vesicolor is also not contagious and this makes it different from other fungal infections such as ringworm.

Symptoms

Eczema symptoms include itchy, red and dry skin caused by inflammation. It’s most commonly found in children although adults can get it too.

• In small children: a red patch or rash forms on the cheeks or sometimes on the arms and hands. The rash consists of small sores or blisters that ooze or weep (burst and leak fluid),

• In older children and adults: eczema is usually drier and is most common behind the knees and on the inside of the elbows.

It starts as an allergic reaction but can lead to infections.

People with pityriasis vesicolor also develop small, red spots on the body. The rash usually appears on the chest, back, arms and face. It is more likely to show up in warmer months, and it may look different depending on your skin tone. The rash is also itchy and can cause skin discoloration.

Treatment

If you have eczema, your doctor or dermatologist will help determine the best treatment. You may have to try different treatments or combine multiple treatments.

Possible treatments include:

• Corticosteroids

• Oral medications; antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals (if eczema occurs alongside skin infection)

• antihistamines

• Biologic injections

• UV-light therapy

There’s currently no cure for eczema. The goal of most treatments is to control your symptoms and prevent itching which can further lead to infection.

For pityriasis vesicolor, antifungal medications clear up most infections. According to Kabigting, most mild cases respond to antifungal shampoos and creams. An oral antifungal medication might be considered in severe cases. To help prevent the yeast infection from coming back, avoid excessive heat and sweating and practice good hygiene.

Eczema and pityriasis vesicolor can present very differently in each person. Comparing your symptoms to another person's will not always give you the right answer. So just before you conclude that what is on your skin is eczema, talk to a dermatologist to get the right diagnosis and treatment.

Hamida A.

Editor in Chief; NIMELSSA EDITORIAL TEAM 19/20

Reference

https://www.nigeriagalleria.com/Community-Health/Eczema.html

https://dermnetnz.org/topics/pityriasis-versicolor/

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/14417#treatments

https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/guide/atopic-dermatitis-eczema

https://www.healthline.com/health/psoriasis-vs-tinea-versicolor#see-a-doctor

https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2019/august/psoriasis