What chronic inflammation of the skin is characterized by itching and can have moist or dry lesions?

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic inflammatory condition of the skin that is distinguished by its symptoms of intense itching and its potential to present with either moist or dry lesions. It typically impacts various parts of the body and can cause the affected skin to become red, inflamed, and in some cases, crusty or scaly. The underlying cause of eczema often involves a combination of genetic, environmental, and immunological factors, leading to an exaggerated immune response and subsequent skin inflammation.

In contrast, psoriasis is also a chronic condition, but it is primarily characterized by thick, red patches covered with silvery scales rather than the moist or dry lesions typical of eczema. Dermatitis is a broader term that refers to skin inflammation and can encompass various types such as contact dermatitis, which is often caused by an irritant or allergen rather than being primarily chronic and itchy in the way eczema is. Lastly, rosacea usually presents with facial redness, visible blood vessels, and acne-like bumps, but it is not characterized by the same type of lesions or itching seen in eczema.

Thus, eczema is specifically recognized for its chronic itchiness and the variability in lesion presentation, making it the correct response to the question.