Dermatitis: polymorphic light eruption: 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 · Dermatitis: polymorphic light eruption

Sample item

A young woman has itchy papules and vesicles on the arms and V of the neck appearing 1 to 2 days after the first sunny days of spring, clearing in a week. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Polymorphic light eruption

Polymorphic light eruption is the most common idiopathic photodermatosis, a delayed hypersensitivity to UV, mainly UVA, that tends to improve with hardening through the summer. Prevention uses sunscreens and sometimes prophylactic phototherapy.

Option by option

  • A. Porphyria cutanea tarda

    PCT shows fragile skin and blisters over the hands.

  • B. Systemic lupus erythematosus

    SLE shows a persistent malar rash with systemic features.

  • C. Polymorphic light eruption (correct)

    Correct. A delayed pruritic eruption on spring exposure is classic.

  • D. Solar urticaria

    Solar urticaria appears within minutes and resolves within hours.

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 C, Polymorphic light eruption. Polymorphic light eruption is the most common idiopathic photodermatosis, a delayed hypersensitivity to UV, mainly UVA, that tends to improve with hardening through the summer.

Why is "Porphyria cutanea tarda" not the answer?

PCT shows fragile skin and blisters over the hands.

Why is "Systemic lupus erythematosus" not the answer?

SLE shows a persistent malar rash with systemic features.

Why is "Solar urticaria" not the answer?

Solar urticaria appears within minutes and resolves within hours.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Dermatitis: polymorphic light eruption in Dermatology. Prevention uses sunscreens and sometimes prophylactic phototherapy.

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 Dermatitis: polymorphic light eruption?

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.