What skin condition is characterized by excessive flaking and scaling?

Psoriasis is the skin condition characterized by excessive flaking and scaling. It is an autoimmune disorder that accelerates the growth cycle of skin cells, leading to a build-up of cells on the skin's surface. This results in thick, red patches covered with silvery-white scales. The excessive cell turnover associated with psoriasis causes the skin to flake as these cells die off and shed more rapidly than normal.

In contrast, eczema (often referred to as atopic dermatitis) typically involves red, itchy patches of skin that can be dry or weepy, but it is not primarily associated with the excessive scaling that defines psoriasis. Pustules refer to small, blister-like lesions filled with pus, usually seen in various infections or acne but not related directly to flaking or scaling. Dermatitis is a general term for inflammation of the skin, which can include different types like contact dermatitis but does not specifically indicate the characteristic scaling present in psoriasis.