Which skin condition typically results in thickened, red, scaly patches?

Psoriasis is characterized by thickened, red, scaly patches on the skin. This chronic autoimmune condition leads to an accelerated skin cell turnover, causing the skin cells to build up and form scales that can be itchy and sometimes painful. The areas commonly affected include the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back.

Understanding psoriasis is important in the context of skin health, as it differs from other skin conditions in presentation and underlying causes. For instance, while eczema can also lead to red and irritated skin, it typically presents as patches that are more itchy and may weep or ooze, rather than the thick, scaly appearance seen in psoriasis. Impetigo, which is a bacterial skin infection, leads to honey-colored crusted sores and is not characterized by thickened patches. Fungal infections can cause scaling and redness as well, but they usually have a different texture and appearance, often associated with ring-like formations and itching, rather than the distinct plaques found in psoriasis.