What condition is often characterized by a thickening of the skin due to chronic inflammation?

Psoriasis is characterized by chronic inflammation, which leads to a thickening of the skin. This skin condition occurs due to an overactive immune response that accelerates skin cell turnover, resulting in the rapid buildup of cells on the skin's surface. This buildup manifests as thick, red, scaly patches that are often dry and itchy. The chronic nature of psoriasis means that it can flare up periodically, causing further skin thickening due to ongoing inflammation.

While eczema, dermatitis, and fungal infections can lead to various skin changes, they do not typically result in the specific thickened, silvery-scaled plaques that are classic for psoriasis. Eczema and dermatitis are more often associated with dry, itchy skin without the distinct thickening seen in psoriasis. Fungal infections primarily affect the skin surface but do not induce the same inflammatory response as psoriasis, leading to the characteristic thickening.