Papulosquamous disorders: latex allergy: 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: latex allergy

Sample item

A surgeon develops itchy wheals on the hands within 15 minutes of putting on latex gloves, and one episode included wheeze. Which mechanism and next step are correct?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Type I IgE-mediated reaction; confirm with latex-specific IgE or prick test and use nitrile gloves

Immediate wheals and wheeze after glove contact indicate type I hypersensitivity to latex proteins. Confirmation is by specific IgE or skin prick test, and nitrile or other non-latex gloves are substituted. Delayed eczema to rubber accelerators is a separate type IV problem.

Option by option

  • A. Type I IgE-mediated reaction; confirm with latex-specific IgE or prick test and use nitrile gloves (correct)

    Correct. This is IgE-mediated latex allergy and non-latex gloves are required.

  • B. Type IV reaction; confirm with patch test only

    Delayed type IV reactions appear after 1 to 3 days, not minutes.

  • C. Photoallergic reaction; avoid sunlight

    No light exposure is involved.

  • D. Irritant reaction; use hand cream only

    Irritant dermatitis does not cause urticaria or wheeze.

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, Type I IgE-mediated reaction; confirm with latex-specific IgE or prick test and use nitrile gloves. Immediate wheals and wheeze after glove contact indicate type I hypersensitivity to latex proteins.

Why is "Type IV reaction; confirm with patch test only" not the answer?

Delayed type IV reactions appear after 1 to 3 days, not minutes.

Why is "Photoallergic reaction; avoid sunlight" not the answer?

No light exposure is involved.

Why is "Irritant reaction; use hand cream only" not the answer?

Irritant dermatitis does not cause urticaria or wheeze.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Papulosquamous disorders: latex allergy in Dermatology. Confirmation is by specific IgE or skin prick test, and nitrile or other non-latex gloves are substituted. Delayed eczema to rubber accelerators is a separate type IV problem.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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: latex allergy?

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.