Psoriasis vs. Ringworm: Similarities and Variations

Psoriasis
Ringworm

Raised pores and skin
Sure, thick, silvery-white scales on pink, purple, brown, or grey plaques
Sure, ring-shaped raised rash with a transparent heart

Itchiness
Sure, or burning
Sure

Affected areas
Generally impacts your scalp, knees, elbows, and again
Usually impacts your arms, legs, chest, or again, however can even have an effect on your scalp and groin

Dematalogic impacts
Sure, causes nail modifications
Sure, causes hair loss within the affected space or nail modifications

Ache
Sure, causes joint ache
Sure

Pores and skin modifications
Sure, could depart darkish or gentle spots after therapeutic
Sure, begins scaly, spreads outward, and edges can blister or crust

Though psoriasis and ringworm change how your pores and skin seems, they develop for various causes and want distinctive therapies. 

Situation Sorts

Psoriasis: Psoriasis occurs when your immune system mistakenly assaults your physique, making your pores and skin cells develop too rapidly. Additional cells construct up in your pores and skin to kind thick patches or plaques. Psoriasis is not contagious and infrequently runs in households.

Ringworm: It is a fungal an infection, not an actual worm. It occurs when dermatophytes, a kind of fungus, infect your pores and skin. The fungus grows finest in heat, damp locations and feeds on keratin, a protein that makes up your pores and skin, hair, and nails. Ringworm is contagious, and you’ll catch it from:

Folks (skin-to-skin contact)PetsShared towels or linensSoilSurfaces like fitness center tools

Durations

Psoriasis: It’s continual (long-lasting). It typically comes again, requiring long-term care.

Ringworm: It’s often non permanent and goes away in 2-4 weeks with antifungal drugs. It does not often come again except you get the fungus once more.

Remedy

Psoriasis: At dwelling, you’ll be able to strive Epsom salt, oatmeal, and bleach baths, in addition to over-the-counter (OTC) Cortizone-10 (hydrocortisone 1%) to appease psoriasis signs. Suppliers may advocate:

Immune-suppressing drugs 
Phototherapy (gentle remedy)
Steroid lotions
Vitamin D ointment

Ringworm: For gentle instances, therapy often begins with an OTC antifungal cream, spray, or powder. Choices embody:

Lotrimin AF (clotrimazole)Nizoral (ketoconazole) Micatin (miconazole)Tinactin (tolnaftate)Lamisil AT (terbinafine) 

If ringworm is widespread or does not enhance, your supplier could prescribe stronger antifungal lotions or tablets, reminiscent of Diflucan (fluconazole), Gris-PEG (griseofulvin), Lamisil (terbinafine), or Sporanox (itraconazole).

Prevention

Psoriasis: You may’t forestall it, however you’ll be able to cut back flare-ups in the event you:

Handle your stress
Keep away from pores and skin accidents
Observe your therapy plan
Use mild skincare merchandise

Ringworm: In contrast to psoriasis, you’ll be able to forestall ringworm in the event you:

Keep away from pores and skin contact with folks or pets who’ve ringwormDon’t share towels, clothes, or combsFinish all antifungal therapies, even when the rash seems betterKeep your pores and skin clear and dryWash garments and bedding in scorching water to kill the fungusWear unfastened, breathable garments

Psoriasis and ringworm are completely different circumstances. Nonetheless, they share some options that may make them simple to confuse. 

Diagnostic Assessments

If the analysis is not clear with a visible examination, your supplier could take a pores and skin scraping or biopsy. A lab can test for ringworm by wanting on the pores and skin scraping below a microscope and utilizing a particular resolution to spotlight fungal components. A biopsy can reveal indicators of psoriasis.

These checks additionally assist rule out different causes and information the right therapy.

Misdiagnosis

Psoriasis and ringworm can seem like one another or different pores and skin issues, reminiscent of eczema or impetigo. They will additionally seem on comparable physique elements, reminiscent of your arms, legs, trunk, or scalp, and trigger nail modifications. This could result in misdiagnosis, particularly early on.

Ringworm may be even more durable to acknowledge in the event you’ve used steroid lotions, since they’ll change how the rash seems.

You may have each psoriasis and ringworm on the similar time. That is extra doubtless in the event you take immune-suppressing drugs for psoriasis, which make it more durable on your physique to combat infections. When you have each, your supplier will often deal with the ringworm first, as steroid lotions for psoriasis can conceal or worsen a fungal an infection.

In case your rash is not getting higher, attain out to a healthcare supplier. That is very true in the event you discover the rash:

Would not enhance with OTC treatmentsStarts to spreadFeels painful or tenderCauses hair loss within the areaAffects your nails or joints

A major care supplier can diagnose and deal with ringworm. If the rash does not go away or worsens, you might have to see a dermatologist, a health care provider specializing in pores and skin, hair, and nail circumstances. When you have joint ache, your supplier could refer you to a rheumatologist. These specialists give attention to circumstances that have an effect on your joints, immune system, and irritation.

Psoriasis and ringworm are pores and skin circumstances that may look alike and infrequently have an effect on the identical areas of the physique, making them simple to confuse. Nonetheless, they’ve completely different causes and coverings.

Psoriasis is a continual autoimmune situation, whereas ringworm is a contagious fungal an infection. If you happen to’re not sure what’s inflicting your signs, a healthcare supplier may also help you get the proper analysis and therapy plan.