Fungal infections: Malassezia folliculitis: 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 · Fungal infections: Malassezia folliculitis

Sample item

A young man has monomorphic itchy follicular papules and pustules over the back and chest that worsened after oral antibiotics for acne. Which treatment is likely to help?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Topical or oral azole antifungal

Malassezia folliculitis is caused by yeast overgrowth in follicles and is promoted by antibiotics, steroids and humidity. It responds to antifungals such as ketoconazole shampoo or itraconazole.

Option by option

  • A. Higher dose oral tetracycline

    Tetracycline can worsen yeast overgrowth.

  • B. Oral prednisolone

    Systemic steroids can aggravate the condition.

  • C. Topical or oral azole antifungal (correct)

    Correct. An azole targets the yeast.

  • D. Topical benzoyl peroxide alone

    Benzoyl peroxide alone is not effective.

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, Topical or oral azole antifungal. Malassezia folliculitis is caused by yeast overgrowth in follicles and is promoted by antibiotics, steroids and humidity.

Why is "Higher dose oral tetracycline" not the answer?

Tetracycline can worsen yeast overgrowth.

Why is "Oral prednisolone" not the answer?

Systemic steroids can aggravate the condition.

Why is "Topical benzoyl peroxide alone" not the answer?

Benzoyl peroxide alone is not effective.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Fungal infections: Malassezia folliculitis in Dermatology. It responds to antifungals such as ketoconazole shampoo or itraconazole.

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 Fungal infections: Malassezia folliculitis?

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.