Eczema and psoriasis are two common chronic inflammatory skin diseases that come in flares and weigh on comfort, sleep and daily life. Neither is contagious. In Marrakech, Dr Sara Zahid, a dermatologist in Guéliz, sees adults and children to make a precise diagnosis, tell these diseases apart from look-alike skin conditions and define a treatment suited to the form, location and intensity of the lesions. Treatments are prescribed by the doctor; the aim is to control flares and space them out, without promising a definitive cure.
Eczema, or atopic dermatitis in its most common form, is a chronic inflammation of the skin: itching, dryness, red patches that sometimes ooze, with locations that change with age (cheeks and folds in babies, elbow and knee creases in children, hands and face in adults). It comes in flares. There is also contact eczema, triggered by a specific product that has to be identified.
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease with well-defined red plaques covered with whitish scales, frequently on the elbows, knees, lower back or scalp. It can affect the nails (small pits, lifting) and, sometimes, the joints: joint pain or swelling should be reported.
These diseases alternate flares and quiet periods. Depending on the person, stress, cold or dry air, certain irritant products, infections or friction favour a flare. Spotting your own triggers helps limit them. In Marrakech, dry winter air and summer air conditioning are frequent triggers.
Treatment rests on a diagnosis made by the dermatologist, daily skin care (hydration, suitable products) and, depending on the form and intensity, prescribed treatments, local or general. Follow-up allows the strategy to be adjusted, flares to be spaced out and a product not to be continued without medical advice, in particular poorly dosed topical corticosteroids.
Consult if itching persists, patches spread or come back, lesions ooze or seem infected, or sleep and daily life are affected. Several skin conditions look like eczema or psoriasis (fungal infection, contact dermatitis, seborrhoeic dermatitis): a clinical diagnosis is essential before any treatment, and an additional test is sometimes discussed.
Eczema is common in children and babies, with care and protocols adapted to age. This is detailed on the clinic's paediatric dermatology page.
The clinic has a high-frequency portable ultrasound (Clarius L20 HD3). In psoriasis, it can help assess skin thickness, nail involvement and, together with a rheumatologist, inflammation of tendons and joints. It complements the clinical examination to choose the treatment and follow its effect, depending on the indication.
No, neither is passed from one person to another: they are inflammatory skin diseases.
They are chronic diseases that come in flares. The aim is to control them and space out flares through suitable care and follow-up, without promising a definitive cure.
The diagnosis is clinical and based on examining the skin; other conditions can look similar. It is better not to self-treat and to consult a dermatologist before starting treatment.
At Dr Sara Zahid's clinic in Guéliz, by appointment, for adults and children alike.
Yes, paediatric dermatology is part of the consultations offered, with protocols adapted to age (see the paediatric dermatology page).
It can help assess the skin, nails and, with a rheumatologist, tendons and joints, and follow progress under treatment. It is not systematic: the dermatologist decides at the examination.
Select your condition: the appointment form fills in automatically.
Explore the clinic's complementary expertise or contact us to determine the most suitable care.
