Dermatitis and Eczema Practice Questions

Q: Which condition is commonly known as cradle cap in infants?

Seborrheic dermatitis. ***Seborrheic dermatitis*** - **Cradle cap** is the common term for **infantile seborrheic dermatitis**, characterized by greasy, scaly patches on the scalp. - It is a common, harmless skin condition in infants, often resolving on its own. *Pemphigus vulgaris* - This is a rare, severe **autoimmune blistering disease** affecting the skin and mucous membranes, not a common infant scalp condition. - It involves the formation of **flaccid bullae** and erosions due to autoantibodies against desmosomal proteins. *Acute sunburn reaction* - An **acute sunburn reaction** is caused by excessive exposure to **ultraviolet (UV) radiation**, leading to skin redness, pain, and blistering. - It is an environmental injury and does not present as chronic scaling on an infant's scalp. *Psoriasis vulgaris* - **Psoriasis vulgaris** is a chronic autoimmune condition causing well-demarcated, erythematous plaques with silvery scales. - While it can occur in children, its typical presentation is different from cradle cap, and it is less common in infants.

Q: Which type of dermatitis is evaluated through patch testing?

Contact dermatitis due to allergens. ***Contact dermatitis due to allergens*** - **Patch testing** is specifically used to identify specific **allergens** that trigger an **allergic contact dermatitis** reaction. - It involves applying suspected allergens to the skin and observing for a localized inflammatory response, indicating delayed type IV hypersensitivity. *Atopic dermatitis* - This is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by **eczematous lesions** and severe **pruritus**, often linked to a genetic predisposition and immune dysfunction. - While allergy testing (e.g., prick tests, blood tests for IgE) might be used to identify triggers, **patch testing** is not the primary diagnostic tool for atopic dermatitis itself. *Irritant contact dermatitis* - This type of dermatitis is caused by direct **damage to the skin barrier** from exposure to caustic substances or irritants, not an immune-mediated allergic reaction. - Diagnosis is usually based on clinical history of exposure and symptom presentation, and **patch testing** is typically negative in these cases. *Discoid eczema* - Also known as **nummular dermatitis**, this condition presents with distinctive **coin-shaped lesions** and is often associated with dry skin or skin trauma. - Its etiology is generally unknown and not attributable to specific allergens detectable by **patch testing**.

Q: A patient who experiences recurrent urticaria during exercise and heat exposure, including sunlight, most likely has:

Cholinergic Urticaria. ***Cholinergic Urticaria*** - Cholinergic urticaria is characterized by the appearance of small, itchy wheals in response to stimuli that raise the **body temperature**, such as **exercise**, **heat**, or **emotional stress**. - The symptoms resolve when the body cools down, aligning with the patient's presentation of recurrent urticaria during exercise and heat exposure. *Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria* - This condition involves daily or almost daily urticaria for **six weeks or more** without an identifiable external cause. - While it is chronic, the specific triggers of exercise and heat exposure point more directly to a physical urticaria like cholinergic urticaria. *Universal Dermographism* - **Dermographism** (or dermatographia) is a type of physical urticaria where hives appear after **firm stroking or scratching** of the skin. - Universal dermographism would imply this reaction over a large body surface area, but it is not typically triggered by systemic heat or exercise. *Photodermatitis* - **Photodermatitis** is a general term for skin inflammation caused by **exposure to light**, especially sunlight, often due to an abnormal reaction to UV radiation. - While sunlight is a trigger for this patient's symptoms, the additional triggers of exercise and general heat exposure make cholinergic urticaria a more encompassing diagnosis than photodermatitis alone.

Q: Rakesh, a 7-year-old boy, presents with a 3-year history of itchy, excoriated papules on his forehead and exposed parts of his arms and legs. The condition is most severe during the rainy season and improves completely in winter. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Atopic dermatitis. ***Atopic dermatitis*** - The **chronic itchy dermatitis** starting at age 4 and the presence of **excoriated papules** are consistent with atopic dermatitis, which is one of the most common chronic dermatoses in children. - While atopic dermatitis in school-age children typically affects **flexural areas** (antecubital and popliteal fossae), it can also involve the face and extensor surfaces, particularly as a continuation from earlier infantile patterns. - The **seasonal variation** can occur in atopic dermatitis due to changes in humidity, allergen exposure, and temperature, though the pattern of worsening in rainy season is somewhat atypical. - Given the chronic course and age of onset in early childhood with persistent itchy papules, atopic dermatitis remains the most likely diagnosis among the given options. *Insect bite hypersensitivity* - This would typically present with localized **urticarial papules** or **vesicles** at discrete bite sites, not a diffuse chronic condition lasting 3 years. - While insect bites can be seasonal and cause itchy excoriated papules, the **continuous 3-year duration** with consistent distribution patterns is not typical for bite reactions. *Scabies* - Scabies presents with intense itching (worse at night) and **pathognomonic burrows** in characteristic sites: finger webs, wrists, axillae, belt line, and genitalia. - The **distribution** described (forehead and exposed extremities) is not typical for scabies, nor would it show complete improvement seasonally without treatment. - Untreated scabies would not spontaneously resolve completely in winter. *Urticaria* - Urticaria manifests as **transient, migratory wheals** (hives) that typically resolve within 24 hours, even in chronic cases. - The description of persistent **excoriated papules** over 3 years is incompatible with urticaria, which is characterized by evanescent lesions, not fixed papules.

Q: Pompholyx affects:

Palms and soles. ***Palms and soles*** - **Pompholyx**, also known as **dyshidrotic eczema**, is characterized by recurrent outbreaks of **vesicles and bullae** predominantly on the palms and soles. - These lesions are typically very **itchy** and can cause significant discomfort. *Groin* - Conditions like **tinea cruris** (jock itch) or **intertrigo** commonly affect the groin, presenting with erythema and scaling rather than vesicles. - While eczema can occur in the groin, classical pompholyx has a predilection for the acral regions. *Scalp* - The scalp is more commonly affected by conditions such as **seborrheic dermatitis** or **psoriasis**, which manifest as scaling, redness, and flaking. - Vesicular eruptions are rare on the scalp unless due to specific conditions like herpes zoster. *Trunk* - The trunk is a common site for various dermatoses, including **atopic dermatitis**, **psoriasis**, or **pityriasis rosea**, but these typically present with different morphologic features (e.g., plaques, patches). - Pompholyx is specific to palms and soles and does not usually involve the trunk.

Question 1

Which condition is commonly known as cradle cap in infants?

Accepted Answer

Seborrheic dermatitis

Answer

Pemphigus vulgaris

Answer

Acute sunburn reaction

Answer

Psoriasis vulgaris

Question 2

Which type of dermatitis is evaluated through patch testing?

Accepted Answer

Contact dermatitis due to allergens

Answer

Atopic dermatitis

Answer

Irritant contact dermatitis

Answer

Discoid eczema

Question 3

A patient who experiences recurrent urticaria during exercise and heat exposure, including sunlight, most likely has:

Accepted Answer

Cholinergic Urticaria

Answer

Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria

Answer

Universal Dermographism

Answer

Photodermatitis

Question 4

Rakesh, a 7-year-old boy, presents with a 3-year history of itchy, excoriated papules on his forehead and exposed parts of his arms and legs. The condition is most severe during the rainy season and improves completely in winter. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Atopic dermatitis

Answer

Insect bite hypersensitivity

Answer

Scabies

Answer

Urticaria

Question 5

Pompholyx affects:

Accepted Answer

Palms and soles

Answer

Groin

Answer

Scalp

Answer

Trunk

Dermatitis and Eczema — MCQs

Dermatitis and Eczema — MCQs

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