Fungal infection: tinea capitis: 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 · Fungal infection: tinea capitis

Sample item

A child has patchy alopecia, scalp scaling, and posterior cervical lymphadenopathy. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Tinea capitis

Tinea capitis is dermatophyte infection of the scalp and can cause scaling, broken hairs, alopecia, and lymphadenopathy. Systemic antifungal therapy is usually required because topical therapy alone does not reach the hair follicle adequately.

Option by option

  • A. Alopecia areata

    Alopecia areata causes smooth non-scarring patches without scale.

  • B. Seborrheic dermatitis

    Seborrheic dermatitis causes scale but not typically patchy broken-hair alopecia with nodes.

  • C. Tinea capitis (correct)

    Correct. Scalp scale with alopecia and nodes is typical of tinea capitis.

  • D. Trichotillomania

    Trichotillomania causes irregular broken hairs without infectious scale or nodes.

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 C, Tinea capitis. Tinea capitis is dermatophyte infection of the scalp and can cause scaling, broken hairs, alopecia, and lymphadenopathy.

Why is "Alopecia areata" not the answer?

Alopecia areata causes smooth non-scarring patches without scale.

Why is "Seborrheic dermatitis" not the answer?

Seborrheic dermatitis causes scale but not typically patchy broken-hair alopecia with nodes.

Why is "Trichotillomania" not the answer?

Trichotillomania causes irregular broken hairs without infectious scale or nodes.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Fungal infection: tinea capitis in Dermatology. Systemic antifungal therapy is usually required because topical therapy alone does not reach the hair follicle adequately.

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 Fungal infection: tinea capitis?

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.