Dermatology: Fox-Fordyce disease: 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 · Dermatology: Fox-Fordyce disease

Sample item

A 25-year-old woman has intensely itchy, skin-coloured follicular papules confined to the axillae and areolae, which worsen with sweating and emotion. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Fox-Fordyce disease

Fox-Fordyce disease is apocrine miliaria, caused by apocrine duct obstruction, and presents with pruritic follicular papules in apocrine-rich sites of young women. Topical steroids, retinoids and avoidance of sweating are used. Hidradenitis shows painful nodules and sinus tracts.

Option by option

  • A. Hidradenitis suppurativa

    Hidradenitis causes painful nodules and sinuses.

  • B. Scabies

    Scabies shows burrows and household itch.

  • C. Fox-Fordyce disease (correct)

    Correct. Itchy follicular papules in apocrine areas indicate Fox-Fordyce disease.

  • D. Pityriasis rosea

    Pityriasis rosea has a herald patch and truncal distribution.

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 C, Fox-Fordyce disease. Fox-Fordyce disease is apocrine miliaria, caused by apocrine duct obstruction, and presents with pruritic follicular papules in apocrine-rich sites of young women.

Why is "Hidradenitis suppurativa" not the answer?

Hidradenitis causes painful nodules and sinuses.

Why is "Scabies" not the answer?

Scabies shows burrows and household itch.

Why is "Pityriasis rosea" not the answer?

Pityriasis rosea has a herald patch and truncal distribution.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Dermatology: Fox-Fordyce disease in Dermatology. Topical steroids, retinoids and avoidance of sweating are used. Hidradenitis shows painful nodules and sinus tracts.

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 Dermatology: Fox-Fordyce disease?

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.