Infections: papular urticaria: 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.

Try it

Dermatology · Infections: papular urticaria

Sample item

A 4-year-old has recurrent crops of grouped, itchy, excoriated papules on the exposed legs and arms during the rainy season, and the family cat has fleas. What is the best management?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Treat the pet and environment, with a topical steroid and antihistamine for symptoms

Papular urticaria is a delayed hypersensitivity to bites of fleas, mosquitoes or bed bugs, mostly in children aged 2 to 7. Control of the source (treating the pet and environment) is central. A topical steroid and antihistamine relieve itch.

Option by option

  • A. Permethrin for the whole family for scabies only

    Scabies treatment would not address flea bites.

  • B. Treat the pet and environment, with a topical steroid and antihistamine for symptoms (correct)

    Correct. Source control plus symptom relief is the right approach.

  • C. Intralesional triamcinolone to all papules

    Intralesional steroids are excessive for self-limiting bite reactions.

  • D. Oral griseofulvin

    Griseofulvin is for fungal infection.

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.

More Dermatology questions

Questions about this Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is B, Treat the pet and environment, with a topical steroid and antihistamine for symptoms. Papular urticaria is a delayed hypersensitivity to bites of fleas, mosquitoes or bed bugs, mostly in children aged 2 to 7.

Why is "Permethrin for the whole family for scabies only" not the answer?

Scabies treatment would not address flea bites.

Why is "Intralesional triamcinolone to all papules" not the answer?

Intralesional steroids are excessive for self-limiting bite reactions.

Why is "Oral griseofulvin" not the answer?

Griseofulvin is for fungal infection.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Infections: papular urticaria in Dermatology. Control of the source (treating the pet and environment) is central. A topical steroid and antihistamine relieve itch.

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 Infections: papular urticaria?

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.