Which condition is characterized by excessive fibrous tissue?

The condition that is characterized by excessive fibrous tissue is a keloid. Keloids result from an overproduction of collagen during the healing process of the skin after an injury. When the skin sustains damage, the body’s normal response is to repair that area; however, in some individuals, the healing can go awry, leading to an overgrowth of scar tissue. This excessive fibrous tissue protrudes beyond the original wound site, forming a raised scar that can be discolored and often feels firm or rubbery to the touch. Keloids can occur anywhere on the body and are more common in individuals with darker skin tones.

Other conditions listed, such as alopecia, psoriasis, and eczema, do not involve the formation of excessive fibrous tissue. Alopecia primarily refers to hair loss and is not associated with scarring. Psoriasis is characterized by the rapid turn-over of skin cells, leading to thick, red, scaly patches but not typically associated with fibrous tissue growth. Eczema involves inflammation of the skin and symptoms like itching and redness but does not result in the excessive fibrous tissue seen in keloids. Thus, keloids are uniquely identified by this characteristic of excessive fibrous tissue.