Papulosquamous disorders: asteatotic eczema: practice question

A Dermatology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Dermatology · Papulosquamous disorders: asteatotic eczema

Sample item

An 80-year-old has itchy, dry, cracked skin on the shins in a pattern resembling a dried river bed during winter. What is the best first-line management?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Regular emollients, short lukewarm baths and a mild topical steroid for flares

Asteatotic eczema or eczema craquele arises from loss of skin lipids and low humidity in older adults. Treatment restores the barrier with emollients and soap substitutes, with a topical steroid for inflamed areas. Systemic therapy is rarely needed.

Option by option

  • A. Oral prednisolone for 4 weeks

    Oral steroids are unnecessary for this localised dry skin eczema.

  • B. Phototherapy

    Phototherapy is not used for simple xerotic eczema.

  • C. Oral antibiotics

    Antibiotics are only needed for secondary infection.

  • D. Regular emollients, short lukewarm baths and a mild topical steroid for flares (correct)

    Correct. Barrier repair with emollients and a mild steroid is first-line.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is D, Regular emollients, short lukewarm baths and a mild topical steroid for flares. Asteatotic eczema or eczema craquele arises from loss of skin lipids and low humidity in older adults.

Why is "Oral prednisolone for 4 weeks" not the answer?

Oral steroids are unnecessary for this localised dry skin eczema.

Why is "Phototherapy" not the answer?

Phototherapy is not used for simple xerotic eczema.

Why is "Oral antibiotics" not the answer?

Antibiotics are only needed for secondary infection.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Papulosquamous disorders: asteatotic eczema in Dermatology. Treatment restores the barrier with emollients and soap substitutes, with a topical steroid for inflamed areas. Systemic therapy is rarely needed.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Papulosquamous disorders: asteatotic eczema?

Learn each condition by its primary lesion, site and signature sign. Then use the flashcards and the other Dermatology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.