Rashes and eruptions
Practise pattern recognition: distribution, scale, itch, vesicles, systemic symptoms, drug exposure and whether the patient is well or unwell.
MRCGP AKT dermatology revision
Dermatology questions reward visual pattern recognition, but they still test applied GP decisions: what it is, what not to miss, how to treat it and when to refer.
Quick answer
For AKT dermatology, prioritise common rashes, eczema, psoriasis, acne, fungal infections, cellulitis, shingles, urticaria, leg ulcers, benign lesions, skin cancer recognition and urgent referral thresholds.
What to revise first
Eczema
Know emollients, topical steroid potency, face and flexure caution, infected eczema, contact dermatitis and when secondary care is needed.
Psoriasis
Revise plaque psoriasis, scalp disease, nail changes, psoriatic arthritis clues and topical treatment combinations.
Acne and rosacea
Know severity-based acne treatment, topical retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics, isotretinoin referral and common rosacea patterns.
Fungal and infective skin disease
Distinguish tinea corporis, tinea capitis, candidiasis, impetigo, cellulitis and shingles from inflammatory mimics.
Skin lesions and cancer
Revise melanoma warning signs, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, actinic keratosis and urgent referral thresholds.
How to revise image-led dermatology
Describe before diagnosing
In image-led revision, force yourself to describe the lesion first: site, colour, border, surface, scale, symmetry and distribution.
Pair images with management
The AKT is applied. Recognising eczema is not enough; know the next treatment step, red flags and when to refer.
Keep red flags separate
Create a small list of urgent features for pigmented lesions, blistering rashes, cellulitis, meningococcal rash and severe drug reactions.
Red flags to recognise quickly
- Changing pigmented lesion with asymmetry, irregular border or colour variation
- Rapidly growing, bleeding or non-healing lesion
- Non-blanching rash with systemic illness
- Widespread blistering, mucosal involvement or suspected severe drug reaction
- Cellulitis with sepsis features or rapidly spreading infection
- Painful rash in an immunosuppressed patient or near the eye
AKT dermatology FAQ
Is dermatology tested in the MRCGP AKT?
Yes. Dermatology is one of the RCGP clinical topic guides and AKT questions can test common rashes, eczema, psoriasis, acne, fungal infections, skin lesions, skin cancer recognition and referral thresholds.
What dermatology topics should I revise for the AKT?
Prioritise rashes and eruptions, eczema, psoriasis, acne, fungal infections, cellulitis, shingles, urticaria, leg ulcers, benign skin lesions and malignant skin lesion recognition.
How should I revise skin cancer recognition for the AKT?
Focus on applied recognition: changing pigmented lesions, ABCDE melanoma features, non-healing or bleeding lesions, rapidly growing lesions and which presentations need urgent suspected-cancer referral.
Why is image-led dermatology useful for AKT revision?
Dermatology is visual. Image-led practice helps you connect lesion descriptions with diagnoses, red flags and management decisions rather than memorising lists in isolation.
Official sources
This is revision guidance, not official RCGP advice. Check current RCGP, NICE CKS and BNF guidance for clinical decisions. Last reviewed June 2026.
October sitting
Oct 26
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days
Keep moving, even on tired days.
Questions, mocks and explanations are free. Your first 2 hours of AKT audio are free. Full 4-month audio access is £79.