Introduction: When Your Skin Becomes a Daily Struggle

Patients with eczema or psoriasis often feel frustrated, embarrassed, and exhausted. These conditions aren’t just cosmetic—they affect sleep, mood, comfort, and quality of life.

The most common complaint we hear in the clinic:
“It comes and goes… and I can never figure out why.”

Eczema and psoriasis both stem from immune and inflammatory dysregulation, but each condition has its own distinct physiology.

This blog explains the science behind these conditions, why flares happen, and what clinicians look for when evaluating chronic skin inflammation.

Internal link prompt:
Learn more about inflammation and skin health at Sheen Vein Aesthetics & Functional Medicine.

Section 1: Eczema vs. Psoriasis — What’s the Difference?

Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)

A chronic inflammatory skin condition involving a weakened skin barrier.

Common Features:

• Itching
• Redness
• Dry patches
• Oozing or crusting during flares
• Sensitivity to triggers

Psoriasis

An autoimmune condition where the immune system accelerates skin cell turnover.

Common Features:

• Thickened plaques
• Silvery scales
• Well-defined borders
• Burning or soreness

Section 2: What Causes Eczema?

Eczema develops from a combination of:

1. Genetic Skin Barrier Dysfunction

The skin loses water easily and becomes prone to irritation.

2. Immune Overactivity

The immune system overreacts to triggers.

3. Environmental Factors

Cold weather, harsh soaps, and irritants worsen symptoms.

4. Allergic Tendency

Patients often have a history of asthma or seasonal allergies.

5. Stress

Stress hormones weaken skin barrier function.

Section 3: What Causes Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is rooted in autoimmunity.

Immune Cells Trigger Rapid Skin Growth

Skin cells that normally take 30 days to mature now take 3–5 days.

Genetics Matter

Certain genetic variants increase susceptibility.

Triggers Include:

• Stress
• Illness
• Skin injury
• Weather changes
• Inflammation

Section 4: The Role of the Immune System in Both Conditions

Both eczema and psoriasis involve immune overactivation, but in different directions:

• Eczema = Barrier dysfunction + hypersensitivity
• Psoriasis = Autoimmune overactivity + inflammation

Understanding immunity helps explain why these conditions flare unpredictably.

Section 5: Why Flares Happen

Common Triggers:

• Stress
• Fragrance or chemicals
• Cold or dry air
• Infections
• Hormonal changes
• Food sensitivities
• High inflammatory load

Flares are rarely random—there is always a root-cause pattern.

Section 6: The Mind-Skin Connection

Stress increases inflammation and weakens the skin barrier.

Patients often tell us:
“Every time I’m stressed, my skin explodes.”

This is not imagined—it’s physiology.

Section 7: The Gut-Skin Axis

Gut dysfunction contributes to systemic inflammation.

Imbalances in the microbiome can influence:

• Immune activation
• Histamine levels
• Skin inflammation
• Psoriasis flares

Section 8: A Clinical Evaluation for Chronic Skin Conditions

We evaluate:

• Skin barrier patterns
• Immune system behavior
• Inflammation markers
• Stress and cortisol
• Gut symptoms
• Hormonal shifts
• Nutritional status

Understanding the body as a whole gives insight into skin flares.

Internal link prompt:
Schedule a skin inflammation evaluation at Sheen Vein Aesthetics & Functional Medicine.

Conclusion

Eczema and psoriasis aren’t random—they are connected to deeper patterns in the immune system, gut, stress, and environment.
Patients deserve to understand why their skin behaves the way it does.

Internal link prompt:
Learn more about integrative skin health in our St. Louis clinic.

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