Fungal infection: tinea corporis: 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 · Fungal infection: tinea corporis

Sample item

A patient has an itchy annular plaque with a scaly advancing edge and central clearing on the trunk. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Tinea corporis

Tinea corporis is dermatophyte infection of glabrous skin and produces an annular lesion with an active scaly edge. Diagnosis can be confirmed by skin scrapings when uncertain.

Option by option

  • A. Psoriasis

    Psoriasis plaques are more uniformly scaly and well demarcated.

  • B. Nummular eczema

    Nummular eczema causes coin-shaped eczematous plaques without an active fungal edge.

  • C. Cellulitis

    Cellulitis is diffuse warm bacterial inflammation, not an annular scaly lesion.

  • D. Tinea corporis (correct)

    Correct. Annular scaling with central clearing is classic ringworm morphology.

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 D, Tinea corporis. Tinea corporis is dermatophyte infection of glabrous skin and produces an annular lesion with an active scaly edge.

Why is "Psoriasis" not the answer?

Psoriasis plaques are more uniformly scaly and well demarcated.

Why is "Nummular eczema" not the answer?

Nummular eczema causes coin-shaped eczematous plaques without an active fungal edge.

Why is "Cellulitis" not the answer?

Cellulitis is diffuse warm bacterial inflammation, not an annular scaly lesion.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Fungal infection: tinea corporis in Dermatology. Diagnosis can be confirmed by skin scrapings when uncertain.

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 Fungal infection: tinea corporis?

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.