Which statement best describes eczema?

• A. Infectious disease causing systemic illness
• B. Inflammation of the skin with itchy, red patches
• C. Autoimmune destruction of pigment in the skin
• D. Obstruction of sweat glands

Answer: (B)

Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition that presents with itchiness and red patches. The hallmark is pruritus, and the patches are typically dry, sometimes scaly or crusted, and can flare with brief worsening periods. It is not an infectious disease that causes systemic illness, so descriptions tied to spreading infection or systemic involvement don’t fit. It isn’t an autoimmune destruction of pigment, like vitiligo, and it isn’t caused by obstruction of sweat glands. Describing it as inflammation of the skin with itchy, red patches best captures what eczema is and how it commonly presents.