What chronic inflammatory skin condition is marked by alternating periods of remission and severity?

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by its distinct pattern of flare-ups and remissions. The condition manifests as thick, red patches covered with silvery-white scales that can vary in severity. These plaques may appear on various areas of the body, including the scalp, elbows, and knees. One of the hallmark features of psoriasis is the cyclic nature of the disease, where patients experience periods of exacerbation—when symptoms worsen and lesions become more prominent—followed by phases of remission, where symptoms improve significantly or disappear altogether.

This cyclical pattern is a key feature that differentiates psoriasis from other skin conditions. Eczema, for instance, can also be chronic and itchy but does not consistently exhibit the alternating periods of remission and severity seen in psoriasis. Contact dermatitis is typically an allergic reaction to a substance, and while it can be chronic, it does not follow the same pattern of cycles as psoriasis. Folliculitis, which is an inflammation of hair follicles, generally presents as small, pus-filled bumps and is influenced primarily by infection or irritation rather than the chronic inflammatory process typical of psoriasis. Thus, the distinctive cyclical nature of psoriasis makes it the correct answer to this question.