What condition may develop due to exposure to allergens or irritants affecting the skin?

Contact dermatitis is a specific type of skin inflammation that occurs when the skin comes into direct contact with an irritant or an allergen. This condition can manifest as redness, itching, and swelling in the affected area. When allergens such as nickel, fragrances, or certain plants come into contact with the skin, they can trigger an immune response leading to an inflammatory reaction.

While dermatitis refers to general skin inflammation and can encompass a variety of skin conditions, contact dermatitis specifically identifies the cause related to direct exposure to irritants or allergens. This makes it the most accurate answer in the context of the question that focuses on the cause being the exposure to specific substances.

Other conditions mentioned, like infections, typically arise from pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi) rather than irritants or allergens, and psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition that is not triggered directly by skin exposure to irritants or allergens. Therefore, the definition and clinical context of contact dermatitis align precisely with the scenario provided in the question.