Which disease features hardening and thickening of the skin?

• A. Dermatitis
• B. Eczema
• C. Psoriasis
• D. Scleroderma

Answer: (D)

Hardening and thickening of the skin points to scleroderma, a connective tissue disease where excess collagen causes fibrosis in the dermis. The name reflects this change: sclero- means hard, derma means skin. In scleroderma the skin becomes firm and tight, which can limit movement and may involve other organs in systemic cases. Dermatitis and eczema are inflammatory conditions with itching and redness rather than true skin fibrosis, and psoriasis presents as thick, scaly plaques from rapid skin turnover rather than a fibrotic hardening. So the description matches scleroderma. If relevant to practice, approach with gentle technique and monitor for skin tightness and vascular changes.