NEET PG Rapid Revision
Dermatology One-Liners for NEET PG: Rapid Revision
High-yield dermatology one-liners for NEET PG covering skin infections, autoimmune blistering diseases, papulosquamous disorders and STIs.
MedNext Academy | 6 min read
Dermatology One-Liners for NEET PG: Rapid Revision
High-yield dermatology one-liners for NEET PG covering skin infections, autoimmune blistering diseases, papulosquamous disorders and STIs.
Dermatology: rapid revision one-liners for NEET PG
Dermatology in NEET PG covers a wide range of skin conditions including infections, autoimmune blistering disorders, papulosquamous diseases, pigmentary disorders, connective tissue diseases and sexually transmitted infections. Questions are often image-based or clinical description-based.
These one-liners capture the pathognomonic signs, histological features and treatment of choice for the most commonly tested dermatological conditions.
Must-know one-liners
- Psoriasis: well-defined erythematous plaques with silvery-white scales; Auspitz sign (pinpoint bleeding on removal of scale); Koebner phenomenon positive
- Histopathology of psoriasis: parakeratosis, Munro microabscesses (neutrophils in stratum corneum), elongated rete ridges, dilated capillaries in dermal papillae
- Psoriatic arthritis: asymmetric oligoarthritis, dactylitis (sausage digits), enthesitis, nail pitting; associated with HLA-B27
- Treatment of psoriasis: topical (steroids, calcipotriol, tar) for mild; phototherapy (nb-UVB, PUVA) for moderate; methotrexate, cyclosporine or biologics (anti-TNF, anti-IL-17) for severe
- Lichen planus: 5 Ps -- Pruritic, Purple, Polygonal, Planar Papules; Wickham striae (white lace-like pattern); Koebner phenomenon positive
- Histopathology of lichen planus: sawtooth acanthosis, band-like lymphocytic infiltrate at the dermoepidermal junction, civatte bodies (colloid bodies/apoptotic keratinocytes)
- Pemphigus vulgaris: flaccid blisters with Nikolsky sign positive; IgG antibodies against desmoglein 3 (mucosal) and desmoglein 1 (mucocutaneous)
- Histopathology of pemphigus vulgaris: suprabasal acantholysis; tombstone appearance of basal cells; intraepidermal blisters
- Direct immunofluorescence in pemphigus: fishnet/intercellular IgG and C3 pattern in the epidermis
- Bullous pemphigoid: tense blisters on normal or erythematous skin; IgG antibodies against BP180 and BP230 (hemidesmosomes); Nikolsky sign usually negative
- Histopathology of bullous pemphigoid: subepidermal blister with eosinophils; linear IgG and C3 at the basement membrane zone on DIF
- Dermatitis herpetiformis: intensely pruritic grouped vesicles on extensor surfaces; associated with coeliac disease; granular IgA deposits at dermal papillae on DIF
- Steven-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN): SJS < 10% BSA detachment, SJS-TEN overlap 10-30%, TEN > 30%; most commonly drug-induced
- Drugs causing SJS/TEN: sulfonamides, anticonvulsants (carbamazepine, phenytoin, lamotrigine), allopurinol, NSAIDs (piroxicam), nevirapine
- Erythema multiforme: target lesions (3-zone pattern); most commonly triggered by HSV infection (not drugs)
- Leprosy (Hansen disease): spectrum from tuberculoid (TT, high CMI, few bacilli) to lepromatous (LL, low CMI, many bacilli); borderline forms in between
- WHO MDT for leprosy: paucibacillary (6 months): dapsone + rifampicin; multibacillary (12 months): dapsone + rifampicin + clofazimine
- Type 1 lepra reaction (reversal reaction): upgrading of CMI; acute inflammation in existing lesions; treated with corticosteroids
- Type 2 lepra reaction (erythema nodosum leprosum/ENL): immune complex-mediated; tender subcutaneous nodules; treated with thalidomide (or corticosteroids)
- Dermatophyte infections: KOH mount shows septate branching hyphae; treated with topical antifungals (mild) or oral terbinafine/griseofulvin (extensive or nail involvement)
- Tinea versicolor (pityriasis versicolor): caused by Malassezia furfur; hypo/hyperpigmented scaly macules; spaghetti-and-meatballs appearance on KOH mount
- Scabies: caused by Sarcoptes scabiei; intensely pruritic, especially at night; burrows in interdigital web spaces; treated with permethrin 5% cream
- Molluscum contagiosum: caused by a poxvirus; umbilicated dome-shaped papules; Henderson-Patterson bodies (molluscum bodies) on histology
- Herpes zoster: reactivation of VZV in a dermatomal distribution; vesicles on an erythematous base; Tzanck smear shows multinucleated giant cells
- Vitiligo: autoimmune destruction of melanocytes; depigmented macules that fluoresce under Wood lamp; associated with other autoimmune diseases
- Melasma: symmetrical brown patches on the face; associated with pregnancy, OCP use and sun exposure; hydroquinone and sunscreen are the mainstays of treatment
- Acne vulgaris: comedones (open = blackheads, closed = whiteheads), papules, pustules, nodules; Propionibacterium acnes (now Cutibacterium acnes) plays a key role
- Treatment ladder for acne: mild (topical retinoids + benzoyl peroxide), moderate (add topical/oral antibiotics), severe/nodulocystic (oral isotretinoin)
- Isotretinoin: potent teratogen; causes dry skin, cheilitis, elevated triglycerides, hepatotoxicity; iPLEDGE program for pregnancy prevention
- Alopecia areata: autoimmune non-scarring alopecia; well-demarcated round patches of hair loss; exclamation mark hairs at the periphery
- Androgenetic alopecia: most common cause of hair loss; Hamilton-Norwood classification in males; Ludwig classification in females; finasteride (males) and minoxidil (both)
- Morphea: localised scleroderma; lilac ring at the border of active plaques; skin biopsy shows dermal fibrosis
- Systemic sclerosis: diffuse (anti-Scl-70/anti-topoisomerase I) vs limited/CREST (anticentromere antibody); Raynaud phenomenon is usually the earliest feature
- CREST syndrome: Calcinosis, Raynaud, Esophageal dysmotility, Sclerodactyly, Telangiectasia
- Syphilis: primary (painless chancre), secondary (condylomata lata, mucous patches, diffuse rash), tertiary (gumma, cardiovascular, neurosyphilis); VDRL/RPR for screening, TPHA/FTA-ABS for confirmation
- Condylomata acuminata (genital warts): caused by HPV types 6 and 11; cauliflower-like growths; treated with podophyllin, imiquimod or cryotherapy
- Pityriasis rosea: herald patch followed by oval salmon-coloured patches along skin lines (Christmas tree pattern); self-limiting; associated with HHV-6/HHV-7
- Drug eruption: morbilliform (maculopapular) eruption is the most common type of drug reaction
- Fixed drug eruption: well-demarcated round erythematous plaque that recurs at the same site on re-exposure; common culprits are doxycycline, trimethoprim, NSAIDs
- Lupus band test: direct immunofluorescence of uninvolved skin showing granular deposits of IgG, IgM, IgA and C3 at the dermoepidermal junction; positive in SLE
- Discoid lupus erythematosus: scarring plaques with follicular plugging and central atrophy on the face; carpet tack sign on removal of scale
- Behcet disease: recurrent oral and genital ulcers, uveitis, pathergy test positive; associated with HLA-B51
- Xeroderma pigmentosum: defective nucleotide excision repair; extreme photosensitivity; high risk of skin cancers at young age
- Basal cell carcinoma: most common skin malignancy; pearly papule with rolled borders and telangiectasia; rarely metastasises; locally destructive
- Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin: second most common skin malignancy; arises from sun-damaged skin, burns scars (Marjolin ulcer), chronic ulcers
- Melanoma: ABCDE criteria (Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Colour variation, Diameter > 6 mm, Evolution); Breslow thickness is the most important prognostic factor
- Mycosis fungoides: most common primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma; patch, plaque, tumour stages; Sezary syndrome is the leukaemic variant (Sezary cells in blood)
- Kaposi sarcoma: associated with HHV-8; violaceous plaques/nodules; common in AIDS patients
- Granuloma annulare: ring-shaped dermal plaques with a clear centre; associated with diabetes mellitus; self-limiting
- Pemphigus foliaceus: superficial blistering disease; anti-desmoglein 1 antibodies; no mucosal involvement; subcorneal acantholysis on histology
How to use these one-liners
Dermatology is a visual subject. As you read each one-liner, try to visualise the clinical appearance. If possible, look at clinical photographs alongside your revision.
Group conditions by morphology: blistering diseases together, papulosquamous diseases together, infections together. For each condition, know the pathognomonic sign, histology and treatment. NEET PG dermatology questions often give a clinical description and ask you to identify the condition.
Key mnemonics
5 Ps of lichen planus: Pruritic, Purple, Polygonal, Planar, Papules.
CREST: Calcinosis, Raynaud, Esophageal dysmotility, Sclerodactyly, Telangiectasia.
Melanoma ABCDE: Asymmetry, Border, Colour, Diameter, Evolution.
Revision schedule
Dermatology one-liners should be revised every 3-4 days. Alternate between infectious dermatology, autoimmune/blistering diseases, papulosquamous disorders and skin tumours. In the last week, do one complete run-through daily. Pair your revision with clinical images for maximum retention.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dermatology questions appear in NEET PG?
Typically 8-12 questions. Blistering diseases (pemphigus, pemphigoid), papulosquamous diseases (psoriasis, lichen planus), leprosy and skin tumours are the most commonly tested.
Are image-based questions common in dermatology?
Yes, dermatology is one of the most image-heavy subjects. Be able to identify classic lesion morphology, dermatoscopic features and histological patterns from photographs.
How important are STIs in dermatology for NEET PG?
Syphilis, HPV-related genital warts and herpes genitalis are commonly tested. Know the stages of syphilis, their clinical features and the appropriate diagnostic tests.
Should I study immunofluorescence patterns?
Yes, direct immunofluorescence patterns are a high-yield area. Know the IF pattern for pemphigus (fishnet), pemphigoid (linear basement membrane), dermatitis herpetiformis (granular IgA at dermal papillae) and lupus band test.
Inside MedNext for this topic
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