Pigmentary disorders: berloque dermatitis: 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 · Pigmentary disorders: berloque dermatitis

Sample item

After dabbing perfume on her neck and sitting in the sun, a woman develops mild erythema followed by a pendant-shaped band of brown pigmentation on the side of the neck. Which constituent is the cause?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Bergapten from oil of bergamot

Berloque dermatitis is a phototoxic reaction to bergapten (5-methoxypsoralen) in oil of bergamot, used in many perfumes and colognes. The pigmentation follows the drip pattern of the applied scent. Balsam of Peru, cinnamic aldehyde and isoeugenol are fragrance allergens rather than phototoxins.

Option by option

  • A. Balsam of Peru

    Balsam of Peru is a common fragrance allergen causing allergic contact dermatitis, not a patterned pigmentation.

  • B. Bergapten from oil of bergamot (correct)

    Correct. Bergapten, a furocoumarin, sensitises to UVA and leaves patterned hyperpigmentation where the perfume ran.

  • C. Cinnamic aldehyde

    Cinnamic aldehyde is a fragrance allergen that causes eczematous contact reactions.

  • D. Isoeugenol

    Isoeugenol is a fragrance allergen causing allergic contact dermatitis, not a phototoxic pigmentation.

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, Bergapten from oil of bergamot. Berloque dermatitis is a phototoxic reaction to bergapten (5-methoxypsoralen) in oil of bergamot, used in many perfumes and colognes.

Why is "Balsam of Peru" not the answer?

Balsam of Peru is a common fragrance allergen causing allergic contact dermatitis, not a patterned pigmentation.

Why is "Cinnamic aldehyde" not the answer?

Cinnamic aldehyde is a fragrance allergen that causes eczematous contact reactions.

Why is "Isoeugenol" not the answer?

Isoeugenol is a fragrance allergen causing allergic contact dermatitis, not a phototoxic pigmentation.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Pigmentary disorders: berloque dermatitis in Dermatology. The pigmentation follows the drip pattern of the applied scent. Balsam of Peru, cinnamic aldehyde and isoeugenol are fragrance allergens rather than phototoxins.

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 Pigmentary disorders: berloque dermatitis?

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.