Which dermatological symptom is characterized by a surface skin injury?

The symptom characterized by a surface skin injury is an abrasion. An abrasion occurs when the outer layer of the skin is scraped or worn away due to friction, often resulting from an external force or injury. This leads to a break in the skin's integrity, which can result in pain, bleeding, and exposure to potential infection. Abrasions commonly occur in everyday accidents, such as falls or scrapes against a rough surface, and are identifiable by their superficial nature.

In contrast, itching is a sensation that typically indicates irritation of the skin but does not involve an actual surface injury. Depression is a psychological condition and unrelated to skin injuries. Seizures are neurological events that result from abnormal electrical activity in the brain and do not pertain to dermatological symptoms. Thus, abrasion is distinctly the only option that aligns with the definition of a surface skin injury.