Bullous disorders: dermatitis herpetiformis: 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 · Bullous disorders: dermatitis herpetiformis

Sample item

A young man has intensely itchy grouped vesicles on the elbows, knees and buttocks. Biopsy shows neutrophil microabscesses at dermal papillary tips with granular IgA. Which therapy is appropriate?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Dapsone with a gluten-free diet

Dermatitis herpetiformis is the cutaneous manifestation of coeliac disease, with granular IgA at the papillary tips against epidermal transglutaminase. Dapsone gives rapid relief while a gluten-free diet is the long-term control.

Option by option

  • A. Topical permethrin

    Permethrin treats scabies, which may mimic the itch.

  • B. Oral griseofulvin

    Griseofulvin is an antifungal.

  • C. Dapsone with a gluten-free diet (correct)

    Correct. Dapsone and gluten withdrawal treat dermatitis herpetiformis.

  • D. High-dose rituximab only

    Rituximab is used for pemphigus, not here.

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, Dapsone with a gluten-free diet. Dermatitis herpetiformis is the cutaneous manifestation of coeliac disease, with granular IgA at the papillary tips against epidermal transglutaminase.

Why is "Topical permethrin" not the answer?

Permethrin treats scabies, which may mimic the itch.

Why is "Oral griseofulvin" not the answer?

Griseofulvin is an antifungal.

Why is "High-dose rituximab only" not the answer?

Rituximab is used for pemphigus, not here.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Bullous disorders: dermatitis herpetiformis in Dermatology. Dapsone gives rapid relief while a gluten-free diet is the long-term control.

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 Bullous disorders: dermatitis herpetiformis?

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.