What skin disease is characterized by red patches covered with white-silver scales?

The condition characterized by red patches covered with white-silver scales is psoriasis. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes the rapid growth of skin cells, leading to the distinctive plaques that appear on the skin. These plaques can often be itchy and painful and commonly appear on areas such as the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back.

In psoriasis, the white-silver scales are due to the accumulation of dead skin cells that result from the hyperproliferation of skin cells. This buildup can cause inflammation and discomfort, which further distinguishes it from other skin conditions that may present with red patches but lack the characteristic scaling associated with psoriasis.

While eczema, dermatitis, and rosacea can cause red patches on the skin, they do not typically present with the specific scaling of white-silver that marks psoriasis. Eczema tends to exhibit more of a mild to severe itch and is often accompanied by dry, cracked skin. Dermatitis refers generally to inflammation of the skin and can present in different forms, but again, lacks the specific scaling of psoriasis. Rosacea involves redness and visible blood vessels, primarily affecting the face, but it is not characterized by the scaly patches that define psoriasis.