Papulosquamous disorders: nummular 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: nummular eczema

Sample item

An elderly man in winter has several well-defined, coin-shaped, itchy, oozing plaques on both shins. KOH mount is negative. Which is the most appropriate treatment?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Emollients with a potent topical corticosteroid

Nummular eczema presents as coin-shaped plaques, commonly on the legs, aggravated by dry skin. Treatment is liberal emollients, soap avoidance and a potent topical steroid, with antibiotics only if secondarily infected. A negative KOH excludes tinea corporis.

Option by option

  • A. Oral isotretinoin

    Isotretinoin has no role in nummular eczema.

  • B. Emollients with a potent topical corticosteroid (correct)

    Correct. Emollients with a potent topical steroid are the standard approach.

  • C. Topical permethrin

    Permethrin treats scabies, which is not suggested here.

  • D. Oral terbinafine for 6 weeks

    Terbinafine treats dermatophytosis, which the negative KOH makes unlikely.

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 B, Emollients with a potent topical corticosteroid. Nummular eczema presents as coin-shaped plaques, commonly on the legs, aggravated by dry skin.

Why is "Oral isotretinoin" not the answer?

Isotretinoin has no role in nummular eczema.

Why is "Topical permethrin" not the answer?

Permethrin treats scabies, which is not suggested here.

Why is "Oral terbinafine for 6 weeks" not the answer?

Terbinafine treats dermatophytosis, which the negative KOH makes unlikely.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Papulosquamous disorders: nummular eczema in Dermatology. Treatment is liberal emollients, soap avoidance and a potent topical steroid, with antibiotics only if secondarily infected. A negative KOH excludes tinea corporis.

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: nummular 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.