Rosacea: 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 · Rosacea

Sample item

A 40-year-old woman has episodic flushing with persistent central facial erythema, telangiectasia and papules and pustules, but no comedones. Symptoms worsen with alcohol and hot drinks. Which topical agent is commonly used for the inflammatory lesions?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Metronidazole gel

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central face, in which absence of comedones separates it from acne. Triggers such as heat, alcohol and sunlight should be avoided, and topical metronidazole, azelaic acid or ivermectin are used for papulopustular disease. Potent topical steroids can aggravate it.

Option by option

  • A. Benzoyl peroxide 10 percent as the only treatment for flushing

    Benzoyl peroxide targets comedonal acne and does not treat the flushing and background erythema.

  • B. Tretinoin cream

    Tretinoin may irritate rosacea and does not address the vascular component.

  • C. Metronidazole gel (correct)

    Correct. Metronidazole gel is a standard treatment for inflammatory lesions.

  • D. Clobetasol propionate cream

    Potent steroids cause steroid rosacea and worsen the condition.

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 C, Metronidazole gel. Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central face, in which absence of comedones separates it from acne.

Why is "Benzoyl peroxide 10 percent as the only treatment for flushing" not the answer?

Benzoyl peroxide targets comedonal acne and does not treat the flushing and background erythema.

Why is "Tretinoin cream" not the answer?

Tretinoin may irritate rosacea and does not address the vascular component.

Why is "Clobetasol propionate cream" not the answer?

Potent steroids cause steroid rosacea and worsen the condition.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Rosacea in Dermatology. Triggers such as heat, alcohol and sunlight should be avoided, and topical metronidazole, azelaic acid or ivermectin are used for papulopustular disease. Potent topical steroids can aggravate it.

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 Rosacea?

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.