Hair disorders: intralesional triamcinolone: 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 · Hair disorders: intralesional triamcinolone

Sample item

A 25-year-old has two patches of alopecia areata on the scalp. Which local therapy is commonly used, and what is its main local adverse effect?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Intralesional triamcinolone, which can cause skin atrophy and hypopigmentation

Intralesional triamcinolone acetonide at low concentration is first-line for limited alopecia areata in adults, injected intradermally at intervals of 4 to 6 weeks. Local atrophy and hypopigmentation are the main adverse effects, which can be reduced by using the lowest effective concentration and avoiding excessive volume. It is less suited to extensive disease.

Option by option

  • A. Intralesional methotrexate, which causes alopecia

    Intralesional methotrexate is not a standard therapy.

  • B. Oral antihistamines, which cause hirsutism

    Antihistamines do not regrow hair.

  • C. Topical mupirocin, which causes folliculitis

    Mupirocin does not treat alopecia areata.

  • D. Intralesional triamcinolone, which can cause skin atrophy and hypopigmentation (correct)

    Correct. Intralesional triamcinolone can cause atrophy and hypopigmentation.

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 D, Intralesional triamcinolone, which can cause skin atrophy and hypopigmentation. Intralesional triamcinolone acetonide at low concentration is first-line for limited alopecia areata in adults, injected intradermally at intervals of 4 to 6 weeks.

Why is "Intralesional methotrexate, which causes alopecia" not the answer?

Intralesional methotrexate is not a standard therapy.

Why is "Oral antihistamines, which cause hirsutism" not the answer?

Antihistamines do not regrow hair.

Why is "Topical mupirocin, which causes folliculitis" not the answer?

Mupirocin does not treat alopecia areata.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Hair disorders: intralesional triamcinolone in Dermatology. Local atrophy and hypopigmentation are the main adverse effects, which can be reduced by using the lowest effective concentration and avoiding excessive volume. It is less suited to extensive 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 Hair disorders: intralesional triamcinolone?

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.