Dry or moist patches of skin that are painful and itchy.

• A. Eczema
• B. Asteatosis
• C. Acne
• D. Steatoma

Answer: (A)

Dry or moist patches that are painful and itchy point to eczema, an inflammatory skin condition where the protective barrier is impaired and inflammation leads to itch and irritation. The itching is often intense, which can cause scratching and a cycle that worsens the patches. These patches can appear dry and scaly or weep during a flare, reflecting different stages of the same process.

Asteatosis is mainly extremely dry, rough skin from reduced oil production and usually lacks the inflammatory itch and moist, reactive patches seen with eczema. Acne centers on clogged hair follicles with pimples and cysts rather than broad, itchy patches. A sebaceous cyst (steatoma) is a localized lump beneath the skin, not a patchy inflammatory rash.