Dermatology: recurrent aphthous stomatitis: 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 · Dermatology: recurrent aphthous stomatitis

Sample item

A 28-year-old has recurrent painful round oral ulcers with a yellow base and red halo, each healing in 10 days without scarring, and no genital ulcers or eye symptoms. What is the initial treatment?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Topical corticosteroid paste with analgesic mouthwash

Minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis is managed with topical steroids, antiseptic or analgesic rinses and correction of haematinic deficiencies. Systemic agents are for severe disease. Behcet disease should be considered if genital ulcers, eye disease or skin lesions appear.

Option by option

  • A. Oral acyclovir

    Aphthae are not herpetic.

  • B. Topical corticosteroid paste with analgesic mouthwash (correct)

    Correct. Topical steroids with analgesic rinses are first-line.

  • C. Thalidomide

    Thalidomide is reserved for severe refractory disease.

  • D. Systemic cyclophosphamide

    Cyclophosphamide is excessive.

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 B, Topical corticosteroid paste with analgesic mouthwash. Minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis is managed with topical steroids, antiseptic or analgesic rinses and correction of haematinic deficiencies.

Why is "Oral acyclovir" not the answer?

Aphthae are not herpetic.

Why is "Thalidomide" not the answer?

Thalidomide is reserved for severe refractory disease.

Why is "Systemic cyclophosphamide" not the answer?

Cyclophosphamide is excessive.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Dermatology: recurrent aphthous stomatitis in Dermatology. Systemic agents are for severe disease. Behcet disease should be considered if genital ulcers, eye disease or skin lesions appear.

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 Dermatology: recurrent aphthous stomatitis?

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.