Hair disorders: 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.

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Dermatology · Hair disorders

Sample item

What is characteristic of alopecia areata?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Patchy non-scarring hair loss

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder producing sharply demarcated patches of non-scarring hair loss, often with preserved follicular openings.

Option by option

  • A. Permanent hair loss after every fever

    Hair loss after fever may be telogen effluvium, not always permanent.

  • B. Painless skin ulcer

    Skin ulceration is not a typical hair-loss presentation.

  • C. Diffuse scaling with pus

    Scaling with pus suggests infection or folliculitis rather than alopecia areata.

  • D. Patchy non-scarring hair loss (correct)

    Correct: alopecia areata produces patchy non-scarring hair loss.

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.

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Questions about this Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is D, Patchy non-scarring hair loss. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder producing sharply demarcated patches of non-scarring hair loss, often with preserved follicular openings.

Why is "Permanent hair loss after every fever" not the answer?

Hair loss after fever may be telogen effluvium, not always permanent.

Why is "Painless skin ulcer" not the answer?

Skin ulceration is not a typical hair-loss presentation.

Why is "Diffuse scaling with pus" not the answer?

Scaling with pus suggests infection or folliculitis rather than alopecia areata.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Hair disorders in Dermatology. The correct option holds because: Correct: alopecia areata produces patchy non-scarring hair loss.

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?

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.