Q.1 Which of the following is the most common cause of androgenetic alopecia in males?
Autoimmune destruction of hair follicles
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) effect on hair follicles
Fungal infection of the scalp
Vitamin D deficiency
Explanation - Androgenetic alopecia in males is caused by the effect of DHT on genetically susceptible hair follicles, leading to gradual miniaturization of the hair.
Correct answer is: Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) effect on hair follicles
Q.2 Telogen effluvium is characterized by:
Scarring alopecia
Diffuse hair shedding following a trigger
Fungal infection of the hair shaft
Localized bald patches
Explanation - Telogen effluvium occurs when a stressor (illness, medications, childbirth) shifts hair follicles into the telogen phase, causing diffuse shedding.
Correct answer is: Diffuse hair shedding following a trigger
Q.3 Alopecia areata typically presents as:
Diffuse hair thinning
Patchy, non-scarring hair loss
Inflammatory scalp with pustules
Hair shaft breakage due to trauma
Explanation - Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition causing sudden, round or oval patches of non-scarring hair loss.
Correct answer is: Patchy, non-scarring hair loss
Q.4 Which hair disorder is commonly associated with excessive androgen production in females?
Telogen effluvium
Androgenetic alopecia
Trichotillomania
Tinea capitis
Explanation - In females, androgenetic alopecia can be triggered or worsened by excessive androgens, leading to hair thinning on the scalp.
Correct answer is: Androgenetic alopecia
Q.5 Trichotillomania is best described as:
A fungal infection of hair
Compulsive hair-pulling disorder
Inflammatory scarring alopecia
Autoimmune hair loss
Explanation - Trichotillomania is a psychiatric condition where individuals compulsively pull out their own hair, often leading to irregular patches of hair loss.
Correct answer is: Compulsive hair-pulling disorder
Q.6 Which of the following is a characteristic finding in tinea capitis?
Exclamation mark hairs
Pustular lesions with scarring
Broken hairs with black dots
Diffuse hair thinning without inflammation
Explanation - Tinea capitis is a fungal scalp infection causing hair breakage, black dots, and sometimes scaling or pustules.
Correct answer is: Broken hairs with black dots
Q.7 Anagen effluvium is commonly caused by:
Chemotherapy
Iron deficiency
Psychological stress
Androgen excess
Explanation - Anagen effluvium occurs due to abrupt interruption of hair follicle mitotic activity, commonly seen after chemotherapy.
Correct answer is: Chemotherapy
Q.8 Which of the following patterns is typical for female androgenetic alopecia?
Frontal recession with vertex balding
Diffuse thinning over the crown with preservation of frontal hairline
Patchy hair loss in circular areas
Scarring over the entire scalp
Explanation - Female pattern hair loss usually shows diffuse thinning on the crown while maintaining the frontal hairline.
Correct answer is: Diffuse thinning over the crown with preservation of frontal hairline
Q.9 Which lab test is most helpful in evaluating hair loss due to nutritional deficiency?
Serum iron, ferritin, and zinc levels
Thyroid ultrasound
Skin biopsy
Scalp fungal culture
Explanation - Deficiencies in iron, ferritin, and zinc can cause hair shedding; lab evaluation helps in diagnosis and management.
Correct answer is: Serum iron, ferritin, and zinc levels
Q.10 Scarring alopecia can be differentiated from non-scarring alopecia by:
Presence of follicular openings on the scalp
Pattern of diffuse shedding
Sudden onset after stress
Occurrence in childhood only
Explanation - In scarring alopecia, follicular openings are destroyed, leading to permanent hair loss, unlike non-scarring alopecia where follicles remain intact.
Correct answer is: Presence of follicular openings on the scalp
Q.11 Which medication is FDA-approved for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men?
Minoxidil
Finasteride
Spironolactone
Corticosteroids
Explanation - Finasteride, a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor, is FDA-approved for male androgenetic alopecia and works by reducing DHT levels.
Correct answer is: Finasteride
Q.12 Which of the following is a sign of alopecia areata on dermoscopy?
Yellow dots and exclamation mark hairs
Telogen hairs only
Black dots from broken hair shafts
Diffuse scaling without follicles
Explanation - Dermoscopy of alopecia areata shows yellow dots and short broken hairs called exclamation mark hairs, indicative of autoimmune attack.
Correct answer is: Yellow dots and exclamation mark hairs
Q.13 Loose anagen syndrome typically presents in:
Young children with sparse, easily pluckable hair
Middle-aged men with frontal balding
Adults with patchy hair loss
Teenagers with tinea capitis
Explanation - Loose anagen syndrome is a pediatric condition where anagen hairs are loosely anchored, leading to easily shed, sparse hair.
Correct answer is: Young children with sparse, easily pluckable hair
Q.14 Which autoimmune disorder is frequently associated with chronic telogen effluvium?
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Psoriasis
Diabetes mellitus
Hyperthyroidism
Explanation - Thyroid disorders, particularly hyperthyroidism, can precipitate chronic telogen effluvium due to metabolic disruption affecting hair cycling.
Correct answer is: Hyperthyroidism
Q.15 Hair casts are seen in which condition?
Pseudopelade
Traction alopecia
Tinea capitis
Trichotillomania
Explanation - Hair casts, cylindrical sheaths around hair shafts, are seen in traction alopecia caused by chronic mechanical pulling.
Correct answer is: Traction alopecia
Q.16 Which fungal species is most commonly responsible for tinea capitis in children?
Trichophyton tonsurans
Candida albicans
Malassezia furfur
Microsporum canis
Explanation - Trichophyton tonsurans is the most frequent cause of tinea capitis in children in many regions, causing scaling and hair loss.
Correct answer is: Trichophyton tonsurans
Q.17 Which hair disorder is characterized by hair shaft fragility and broken hair shafts?
Trichorrhexis nodosa
Alopecia areata
Telogen effluvium
Anagen effluvium
Explanation - Trichorrhexis nodosa is a structural hair defect where weak points in the hair shaft lead to breakage and fraying.
Correct answer is: Trichorrhexis nodosa
Q.18 Which of the following is a risk factor for traction alopecia?
Tight hairstyles
Fungal infections
Iron deficiency
Autoimmune diseases
Explanation - Traction alopecia occurs due to prolonged tension on hair follicles from tight hairstyles like braids or ponytails.
Correct answer is: Tight hairstyles
Q.19 Which topical therapy is commonly used for female pattern hair loss?
Topical minoxidil
Topical corticosteroids
Topical antifungals
Topical retinoids
Explanation - Topical minoxidil is effective in stimulating hair growth and is FDA-approved for female pattern hair loss.
Correct answer is: Topical minoxidil
Q.20 Which scalp condition can lead to permanent hair loss if untreated?
Cicatricial (scarring) alopecia
Telogen effluvium
Alopecia areata
Loose anagen syndrome
Explanation - Cicatricial alopecia destroys hair follicles permanently, unlike other non-scarring hair loss conditions.
Correct answer is: Cicatricial (scarring) alopecia
Q.21 Which of the following hair disorders has a psychiatric component?
Trichotillomania
Telogen effluvium
Androgenetic alopecia
Tinea capitis
Explanation - Trichotillomania is a psychiatric disorder characterized by compulsive hair pulling.
Correct answer is: Trichotillomania
Q.22 Which type of alopecia is most commonly reversible?
Telogen effluvium
Cicatricial alopecia
Alopecia totalis
Traction alopecia with scarring
Explanation - Telogen effluvium is usually self-limiting and hair regrows once the triggering factor is removed.
Correct answer is: Telogen effluvium
Q.23 Which feature helps differentiate alopecia areata from tinea capitis?
Exclamation mark hairs vs broken hairs with black dots
Diffuse shedding
Presence of scarring
Hair loss in children only
Explanation - Alopecia areata shows exclamation mark hairs, while tinea capitis presents with broken hairs and black dots.
Correct answer is: Exclamation mark hairs vs broken hairs with black dots
Q.24 Which of the following is a common trigger for telogen effluvium?
Severe infection
Tight braiding
Fungal scalp infection
Autoimmune disease
Explanation - Telogen effluvium is often triggered by physiological stressors like severe infection, surgery, or childbirth.
Correct answer is: Severe infection