BOF: 37
A 36-year-old female presents with a history of intense
pruritus and a blistering eruption affecting her elbows, knees and buttocks.
On examination there are excoriations and vesicles some of
which have ruptured leaving a crust.
Which of the following conditions is the most likely cause
of these clinical features?
a)
Pemphigus
b)
Pemphigoid
c)
Porphyria cutanea tarda
d)
Scabies
e)
Dermatitis herpetiformis
Answer:
e)
Itch may be caused by a number of conditions
(See ACES for PACES page 112)
There are many causes of vesicles
(See ACES for PACES page 133)
The combination of vesicles and pruritus suggests the
patient has dermatitis herpetiformis. The distribution of the rash too fits in
with this condition (See ACES for PACES page
140)
Scabies causes burrows (See ACES
for PACES page 133)
Porphyria cutanea tarda causes a bullous eruption on
exposure to sunlight (See ACES for PACES page
134)
Pemphigus and pemphigoid also cause bullae
(See ACES for PACES page 134)
Last Updated: 19/04/06
