Louisiana Esthetics State Board Practice Test

Which term describes a thickening of the skin due to a viral infection?

1. Psoriasis

2. Epidermis hypertrophy

3. Wart

4. Fungus infection

The correct answer is: Wart

The term that describes a thickening of the skin due to a viral infection is "wart." Warts are benign growths caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which leads to a proliferation of keratinocytes in the epidermis, resulting in a thickened area of skin. These growths can appear on various parts of the body and typically have a rough texture. Other terms mentioned in the choices refer to different conditions. Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes rapid skin cell turnover, resulting in thick, scaly patches, but it is not specifically caused by a viral infection. Epidermis hypertrophy refers to general thickening of the epidermis that can occur due to various factors but is not solely linked to a viral cause. A fungal infection, while it can cause skin changes, is specifically caused by fungi and not viruses. Therefore, "wart" accurately identifies a condition that arises from a specific viral infection leading to thickened skin.