Question

A 30-year-old nurse whose job requires frequent hand washing has noticed a small erosive skin lesion in the third web space of the right hand. The best therapy for this condition would be

• A. Topical 5-fluorouracil
• B. Topical clotrimazole
• C. Oral griseofulvin
• D. Topical hydrocortisone

Hint:

Wet hands and macerated skin between the fingers - think about which organism thrives there.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

This question checks recognition of a classic occupational candidal infection and its treatment.

1. Topical 5-fluorouracil: wrong, an antineoplastic agent for premalignant or malignant skin lesions, not an antifungal.
2. Topical clotrimazole: correct, an azole antifungal that directly treats the candidal infection causing this web-space erosion.
3. Oral griseofulvin: wrong, effective against dermatophytes, not against Candida.
4. Topical hydrocortisone: wrong, a steroid that can mask symptoms or worsen the fungal infection without treating its cause.

Correct answer: Topical clotrimazole.