Ear and audiology: eczematous otitis externa: practice question

A ENT 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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ENT · Ear and audiology: eczematous otitis externa

Sample item

A 35-year-old man with seborrhoeic dermatitis has itchy, flaky skin in both ear canals for months. There is no pain or discharge and the drums are normal. Which treatment is most appropriate?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Short course of a topical steroid with aural toilet

Chronic eczematous otitis externa is a dermatitis, and topical steroid with gentle cleaning and avoiding scratching or water brings relief. Antibiotics are reserved for infection. Syringing leaves the canal wet and worsens the skin.

Option by option

  • A. Short course of a topical steroid with aural toilet (correct)

    Correct. Eczematous canal skin responds to a topical steroid with gentle aural toilet.

  • B. Systemic antibiotic for ten days

    Systemic antibiotics are unnecessary as there is no pain, discharge or infection.

  • C. Oral antifungal for six weeks

    Oral antifungals are for proven fungal infection and no fungal debris is described.

  • D. Repeated syringing with water

    Water syringing macerates the skin and can worsen the dermatitis.

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 ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is A, Short course of a topical steroid with aural toilet. Chronic eczematous otitis externa is a dermatitis, and topical steroid with gentle cleaning and avoiding scratching or water brings relief.

Why is "Systemic antibiotic for ten days" not the answer?

Systemic antibiotics are unnecessary as there is no pain, discharge or infection.

Why is "Oral antifungal for six weeks" not the answer?

Oral antifungals are for proven fungal infection and no fungal debris is described.

Why is "Repeated syringing with water" not the answer?

Water syringing macerates the skin and can worsen the dermatitis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Ear and audiology: eczematous otitis externa in ENT. Antibiotics are reserved for infection. Syringing leaves the canal wet and worsens the skin.

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 Ear and audiology: eczematous otitis externa?

Learn tuning fork results and audiogram patterns by sketching them. Then use the flashcards and the other ENT 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.