Hair disorders: central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia: practice question

A Dermatology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

Try it

Dermatology · Hair disorders: central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia

Sample item

A 40-year-old woman of African descent has slowly spreading scarring hair loss starting at the vertex with a smooth shiny scalp. Which condition is most likely?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia

Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia is the commonest scarring alopecia in women of African descent, beginning at the vertex and expanding centrifugally with permanent follicle loss. Hair-care practices and genetic factors contribute. Early anti-inflammatory therapy and avoiding traction can slow progression.

Option by option

  • A. Alopecia areata

    Alopecia areata is non-scarring.

  • B. Telogen effluvium

    Telogen effluvium is non-scarring.

  • C. Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (correct)

    Correct. Vertex-onset scarring alopecia fits CCCA.

  • D. Tinea capitis

    Tinea capitis shows scale and broken hairs.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Dermatology questions

Questions about this Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is C, Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia. Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia is the commonest scarring alopecia in women of African descent, beginning at the vertex and expanding centrifugally with permanent follicle loss.

Why is "Alopecia areata" not the answer?

Alopecia areata is non-scarring.

Why is "Telogen effluvium" not the answer?

Telogen effluvium is non-scarring.

Why is "Tinea capitis" not the answer?

Tinea capitis shows scale and broken hairs.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Hair disorders: central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia in Dermatology. Hair-care practices and genetic factors contribute. Early anti-inflammatory therapy and avoiding traction can slow progression.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Hair disorders: central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia?

Learn each condition by its primary lesion, site and signature sign. Then use the flashcards and the other Dermatology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.