High Yield Dermatology: Essential PYTs for FMGE June 2025

Key Dermatology PYTs for FMGE Preparation

Based on analysis of previous FMGE question papers and resources highlighting frequently tested areas, the following topics represent important **Dermatology PYTs**. Covering these conditions in detail, including their clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management, is highly recommended. While some conditions are relatively simple to diagnose and treat, offering a positive outlook, others can be chronic, challenging, and unfortunately, significantly impact a patient’s quality of life, representing a more negative aspect of dermatology.

• Impetigo: A common bacterial skin infection, often seen in children. Recognizing the characteristic lesions (crusted sores) is key for diagnosis and initiating simple, effective treatment, offering a positive outcome for patients.

• Pityriasis versicolor: A fungal infection causing discolored patches on the skin. This condition is generally harmless and easily treated with topical antifungals, a positive aspect. However, it can recur, which can be frustrating for patients.

• Candidiasis: Infections caused by Candida species, commonly affecting skin folds, oral cavity, or genitalia. Diagnosis is usually clinical or with simple microscopy, and treatment is often effective, leading to positive relief. However, in immunocompromised individuals, it can be a persistent and negative problem.

• Dermatophytosis/Tinea: Fungal infections of the skin, hair, or nails (ringworm, athlete’s foot, jock itch). These are very common conditions. While generally treatable with antifungals, nail infections (tinea unguium) can be notoriously difficult and lengthy to treat, a truly negative challenge. Understanding the different types and their management is a vital **Dermatology PYT**.

• Lupus vulgaris: A chronic, progressive form of cutaneous tuberculosis. This condition can cause significant tissue destruction and disfigurement if not diagnosed and treated early. While treatable with anti-TB drugs, the potential for scarring is a negative consequence.

• Scrofuloderma: Another form of cutaneous tuberculosis, typically arising from direct extension of TB from underlying lymph nodes or bone. Similar to Lupus vulgaris, it requires anti-TB treatment, and delayed diagnosis can lead to significant morbidity, a negative outcome.

• Warts: Caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Warts are common and often harmless, a positive point. However, they can be cosmetically bothersome, painful, and difficult to eradicate, requiring various treatment modalities and often recurring, which is undeniably negative and frustrating for patients.

• Molluscum contagiosum: A viral skin infection causing small, firm, often pearly papules. It’s common in children and immunocompromised individuals. While usually self-limiting in healthy individuals, it can be extensive and persistent in immunocompromised patients, a negative aspect. Treatment is available but can be uncomfortable.

• Syphilis: A sexually transmitted infection with various cutaneous manifestations in its different stages. Recognizing the skin signs of primary (chancre), secondary (rash), and tertiary syphilis is crucial for diagnosis and treatment with penicillin. Untreated syphilis can have devastating long-term consequences, a very negative outcome, highlighting the importance of recognizing this **Dermatology PYT**.

• LGV (Lymphogranuloma venereum): A sexually transmitted infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, characterized by transient genital lesions followed by painful inguinal lymphadenopathy (buboes). Diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics are important to prevent complications like strictures and fistulas, which are negative outcomes.

• Chancroid: A bacterial sexually transmitted infection causing painful genital ulcers. It’s important to differentiate from syphilis and herpes. Treatment with antibiotics is usually effective, offering a positive resolution to a painful condition.

• Donovanosis: A chronic, progressive bacterial infection causing destructive genital lesions. While less common, recognizing its characteristic appearance is important for diagnosis and prolonged antibiotic treatment. Delayed diagnosis can lead to significant tissue damage, a negative consequence.

• Psoriasis: A chronic autoimmune disease affecting the skin, causing red, scaly patches. While not contagious and often manageable with various therapies, it is a chronic condition with no definitive cure, which can be emotionally and physically challenging for patients, a significant negative aspect. Understanding its different forms and treatment options is vital for **Dermatology PYT** preparation.

• Lichen Planus: An inflammatory condition that can affect the skin, mouth, hair, and nails. Skin lesions are typically itchy, purple, polygonal papules. While many cases resolve on their own (a positive), it can be persistent and cause significant discomfort and cosmetic issues, particularly oral and scalp involvement, which can lead to hair loss, a distressing negative outcome.

• Scabies: An intensely itchy infestation caused by the mite *Sarcoptes scabiei*. Recognizing the burrows and distribution of lesions is key. Treatment with scabicides is usually effective, offering rapid relief from severe itching, a welcome positive outcome. However, reinfection is possible if close contacts are not treated.

• Contact Dermatitis: An inflammatory reaction of the skin caused by contact with irritants or allergens. Identifying the causative agent is crucial for prevention and management. While acute episodes resolve with treatment and avoidance (positive), chronic exposure can lead to persistent eczema, a negative long-term issue.

• Atopic Dermatitis: A chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin condition, often starting in childhood and associated with allergies and asthma. It causes intense itching and eczema. While management strategies exist, it requires long-term care and can significantly impact a child’s and family’s life, representing a chronic negative burden for many.

• Alopecia areata: An autoimmune condition causing patchy hair loss. The hair loss can be sudden and unpredictable, causing significant psychological distress to affected individuals, a clear negative impact. While hair regrowth can occur spontaneously or with treatment (a potential positive), the unpredictable nature of the condition is challenging.

• Acne Vulgaris: A very common skin condition affecting hair follicles and oil glands, leading to pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads. While primarily a cosmetic concern, severe acne can cause scarring and significant psychological impact, which are negative consequences. Effective treatments are available, offering a positive outcome for most individuals. This is a frequently tested **Dermatology PYT** due to its prevalence.

• Pemphigus vulgaris: A rare, serious autoimmune blistering disease affecting the skin and mucous membranes. It causes fragile blisters that rupture easily, leading to painful erosions. Without treatment, it can be fatal, highlighting its severity and negative potential. Fortunately, with systemic immunosuppressive therapy, it is often controllable, a significant positive advancement in management.

• Melasma: A common skin condition causing brown to gray-brown patches, usually on the face. It’s more common in women and often associated with hormonal changes (like pregnancy or oral contraceptives) and sun exposure. While harmless, it can be cosmetically very distressing and difficult to treat effectively, making it a negative issue for many patients. Recurrence is common.

• Erythrasma: A bacterial infection of the skin folds, typically causing well-demarcated reddish-brown patches. It’s often asymptomatic or mildly itchy and has a characteristic coral-red fluorescence under Woods lamp. Treatment with topical or oral antibiotics is usually very effective, offering a quick and positive resolution.

• Androgenetic alopecia: Also known as male or female pattern baldness, this is a common form of hair loss with a genetic predisposition. While not a medical threat, it can significantly impact self-esteem and body image, representing a negative experience for many. Treatments are available (like Minoxidil and Finasteride) but may not fully restore hair, and results vary.

• Bullous pemphigoid: An autoimmune blistering disease, typically affecting older adults. It causes tense blisters on erythematous or normal-appearing skin. While less severe than pemphigus vulgaris, it can still be debilitating and requires systemic treatment. Management can be challenging, representing a negative aspect, though it is generally more responsive to treatment than pemphigus.

• Urticaria: Also known as hives, this is a common condition characterized by transient, itchy, raised weals. It’s often caused by allergic reactions but can have many triggers. While usually acute and resolving with antihistamines (a positive outcome), chronic urticaria can be persistent and difficult to control, significantly impacting a patient’s life negatively.

• Woods lamp: A diagnostic tool emitting ultraviolet light, used to examine skin conditions. It’s particularly useful in diagnosing fungal infections (like tinea capitis, erythrasma) and pigmentary disorders. Its use is a simple yet effective step in dermatological diagnosis, a positive diagnostic aid. Questions about its uses are common **Dermatology PYTs**.

• Herpes: Infections caused by Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) or Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV). This includes cold sores (HSV-1), genital herpes (HSV-2), and shingles (VZV). These infections are often recurrent and can be painful, representing a negative aspect. While antiviral medications can help manage symptoms and reduce the frequency of outbreaks, they do not cure the infection.

• Leprosy: A chronic infectious disease caused by *Mycobacterium leprae*, primarily affecting the skin and peripheral nerves. While curable with multi-drug therapy (MDT) – a huge positive in public health history – delayed diagnosis and treatment can lead to permanent nerve damage, disfigurement, and disability, which are devastatingly negative outcomes. Understanding its classification and treatment is a crucial **Dermatology PYT**.

• SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus): A chronic autoimmune disease that can affect multiple organs, including the skin. Cutaneous manifestations are common and varied (e.g., malar rash, discoid lupus). While managing skin lupus can improve a patient’s quality of life (a positive), SLE is a serious systemic disease with potential for severe organ damage, a significant negative aspect. Recognizing the cutaneous signs of SLE is important.

This list of **Dermatology PYTs** is derived from frequently tested areas and should serve as a strong foundation for your revision. While focusing on these topics is highly recommended, remember that the FMGE can draw questions from any part of the syllabus. Therefore, a comprehensive study approach is always the safest bet to avoid any disappointing surprises on exam day. However, dedicating extra time to understanding the nuances of these important dermatological conditions is a strategic positive step in your preparation.