Which of the following best describes excoriation?

Excoriation refers specifically to the act of scraping or wearing off the upper layers of the skin, typically the epidermis. This condition can result from scratching due to irritation, which leads to a break in the skin's surface. It is commonly associated with various skin conditions, such as eczema or other forms of dermatitis, where itching prompts individuals to scratch the affected areas.

While options describing inflammation of the skin, severe allergic reactions, and fluid accumulation pertain to skin conditions, they do not specifically represent the characteristic action or result associated with excoriation. Instead, excoriation is defined by its mechanical nature, indicating damage to the skin from physical removal or abrasion rather than from an inflammatory or allergic process.