Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) Practice Exam

What is the primary characteristic of eczema herpeticum?

1. Painful sores and blisters

2. Dry and flaky skin

3. Redness and swelling

4. Hyperpigmentation

The correct answer is: Painful sores and blisters

The primary characteristic of eczema herpeticum is the presence of painful sores and blisters. This condition occurs when the herpes simplex virus infects skin that is already affected by eczema, leading to vesicular lesions that are often clustered and can become quite painful. These sores typically develop rapidly and can cause significant discomfort due to their association with viral infection. Unlike the other options, which refer to common features of eczema or skin conditions in general, the blisters are a key differentiator for eczema herpeticum. Dry and flaky skin is characteristic of atopic dermatitis but does not capture the acute viral infection aspect. Redness and swelling can be part of both eczema and various inflammatory skin conditions but do not specifically highlight the nature of herpetic infection. Hyperpigmentation may occur post-inflammatory in eczema but is not a defining feature of the acute infection associated with eczema herpeticum. Thus, the presence of painful sores and blisters is a crucial identification marker for this specific condition.