Fungal infections: Candida paronychia: 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 · Fungal infections: Candida paronychia

Sample item

A dishwasher has a swollen, tender nail fold with loss of the cuticle and transverse nail ridging. Which measure is most important in management?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Avoiding wet work and using topical antifungal

Chronic paronychia is a dermatitis of the nail fold with colonisation by Candida, associated with repeated wetting. Protecting hands, keeping them dry, and topical antifungals or steroids are the basis of therapy.

Option by option

  • A. Prolonged oral steroids

    Prolonged systemic steroids carry risks and are unnecessary.

  • B. Avoiding wet work and using topical antifungal (correct)

    Correct. Protection from moisture and topical antifungal treat the cause.

  • C. Nail avulsion at first visit

    Avulsion is not first-line.

  • D. Oral griseofulvin for a year

    Griseofulvin has no activity against Candida.

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, Avoiding wet work and using topical antifungal. Chronic paronychia is a dermatitis of the nail fold with colonisation by Candida, associated with repeated wetting.

Why is "Prolonged oral steroids" not the answer?

Prolonged systemic steroids carry risks and are unnecessary.

Why is "Nail avulsion at first visit" not the answer?

Avulsion is not first-line.

Why is "Oral griseofulvin for a year" not the answer?

Griseofulvin has no activity against Candida.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Fungal infections: Candida paronychia in Dermatology. Protecting hands, keeping them dry, and topical antifungals or steroids are the basis of therapy.

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: Candida paronychia?

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.