Vesiculobullous: pseudoporphyria: 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 · Vesiculobullous: pseudoporphyria

Sample item

A teenager taking naproxen for arthritis develops tense blisters and fragility on sun-exposed dorsal hands. Plasma and urine porphyrins are normal. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Pseudoporphyria

Pseudoporphyria mimics porphyria cutanea tarda clinically and histologically, but porphyrin levels are normal. Triggers include naproxen, other NSAIDs, tetracyclines, furosemide and haemodialysis. Withdrawing the drug and photoprotection allow resolution.

Option by option

  • A. Epidermolysis bullosa simplex

    EB simplex presents at birth or early life with trauma-induced blisters.

  • B. Bullous pemphigoid

    Bullous pemphigoid occurs in the elderly with subepidermal bullae and linear IgG deposition.

  • C. Pseudoporphyria (correct)

    Correct. A photodistributed blistering eruption on a drug with normal porphyrins is pseudoporphyria.

  • D. Porphyria cutanea tarda

    PCT would show raised urinary uroporphyrins.

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 C, Pseudoporphyria. Pseudoporphyria mimics porphyria cutanea tarda clinically and histologically, but porphyrin levels are normal.

Why is "Epidermolysis bullosa simplex" not the answer?

EB simplex presents at birth or early life with trauma-induced blisters.

Why is "Bullous pemphigoid" not the answer?

Bullous pemphigoid occurs in the elderly with subepidermal bullae and linear IgG deposition.

Why is "Porphyria cutanea tarda" not the answer?

PCT would show raised urinary uroporphyrins.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Vesiculobullous: pseudoporphyria in Dermatology. Triggers include naproxen, other NSAIDs, tetracyclines, furosemide and haemodialysis. Withdrawing the drug and photoprotection allow resolution.

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 Vesiculobullous: pseudoporphyria?

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.