What is the Difference Between Seborrheic Dermatitis and Psoriasis?

Seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis are both skin conditions that can cause scaly, itchy skin, but they have distinct differences in appearance and underlying causes.

Differences in appearance include:

Psoriasis: Appears as pink or red patches with silvery scales on lighter skin tones, and salmon-colored with silvery-white scales on medium skin tones. In darker skin tones, it can appear as dark reddish-brown or purple patches with overlying whitish scale.
Seborrheic dermatitis: Appears as yellow, greasy scales with red, swollen skin and white flakes. The scales are usually thinner than psoriasis scales and may have a pinkish-yellow color with yellowish flakes on lighter skin tones.

Differences in underlying causes:

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease, causing skin cells to grow too quickly and accumulate on the skin's surface. It is often inherited and can be triggered by factors such as stress, infections, skin injuries, smoking, and drinking.
Seborrheic dermatitis is a skin condition that causes rough, scaly skin on the scalp and face, and is often referred to as dandruff. It is not well understood but may be related to gut health and an overgrowth of yeast on the skin.

Treatments for both conditions may vary, and it is essential to consult a medical professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

On this page

What is the Difference Between Seborrheic Dermatitis and Psoriasis?

Comparative Table: Seborrheic Dermatitis vs Psoriasis

Seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis are both skin conditions that can cause red, scaly, inflamed patches on the skin, making it difficult to differentiate between the two. However, there are some key differences between the two conditions:

Feature	Seborrheic Dermatitis	Psoriasis
Appearance	Yellow, greasy scales with red, swollen skin and white flakes	Silvery scales, often powdery, on top of rough, red, scaly skin
Location	Typically affects areas of the body rich in sebaceous glands, such as the scalp, face, and chest	Commonly affects knees, elbows, and torso, as well as the scalp
Causes	Exact cause is unclear, but it may be related to an overgrowth of Malassezia yeast, hormones, oil production, or a family history of dermatitis	Autoimmune disease, with a combination of genetic and environmental factors
Treatment	Often managed with medicated shampoos and corticosteroid lotions	May require stronger medications than seborrheic dermatitis

It is essential to consult a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan, as both conditions can flare up when exposed to specific triggers, such as weather or stress.

Guilherme Mazui

Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.