Papulosquamous disorders: bleach baths in atopic dermatitis: 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: bleach baths in atopic dermatitis

Sample item

A child with severe, recurrently infected atopic dermatitis has frequent flares despite emollients and topical steroids. A dilute sodium hypochlorite bath is advised. What is the rationale?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Reducing skin colonisation by Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus aureus colonises most atopic skin and drives flares. Dilute bleach baths reduce its load, and are used with emollients as an adjunct to topical treatment in infected or recurrent disease.

Option by option

  • A. Reducing skin colonisation by Staphylococcus aureus (correct)

    Correct. Reducing S. aureus colonisation lessens infection-triggered flares.

  • B. Dissolving the stratum corneum to hasten desquamation

    Keratolysis is not the aim, since atopic skin has an impaired barrier already.

  • C. Increasing production of filaggrin

    Hypochlorite does not increase filaggrin, whose deficiency is genetic.

  • D. Blocking the IgE receptor on mast cells

    Blocking mast-cell IgE receptors describes anti-IgE biologics, not hypochlorite.

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 A, Reducing skin colonisation by Staphylococcus aureus. Staphylococcus aureus colonises most atopic skin and drives flares.

Why is "Dissolving the stratum corneum to hasten desquamation" not the answer?

Keratolysis is not the aim, since atopic skin has an impaired barrier already.

Why is "Increasing production of filaggrin" not the answer?

Hypochlorite does not increase filaggrin, whose deficiency is genetic.

Why is "Blocking the IgE receptor on mast cells" not the answer?

Blocking mast-cell IgE receptors describes anti-IgE biologics, not hypochlorite.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Papulosquamous disorders: bleach baths in atopic dermatitis in Dermatology. Dilute bleach baths reduce its load, and are used with emollients as an adjunct to topical treatment in infected or recurrent disease.

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: bleach baths in atopic dermatitis?

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.