ABA Scalp Disorders & Trichology 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client who wears tight braids consistently develops hair loss along the hairline. This is classified as:
- Androgenetic alopecia
- Alopecia areata
- Traction alopecia (Correct answer)
- Scarring alopecia
Correct answer: Traction alopecia
Traction alopecia results from prolonged tension on the hair follicles, commonly caused by tight hairstyles like braids or ponytails.
Question 2: What term describes excessive hair growth in areas where hair is normally absent or minimal in women?
- Hypertrichosis
- Hirsutism (Correct answer)
- Hypotrichosis
- Polytrichia
Correct answer: Hirsutism
Hirsutism refers to excessive hair growth in androgen-sensitive areas in women, often caused by hormonal imbalances.
Question 3: The catagen phase of hair growth lasts approximately:
- 2–7 years
- 2–4 weeks (Correct answer)
- 3–6 months
- 6–12 months
Correct answer: 2–4 weeks
The catagen (transitional) phase is brief, lasting approximately 2–4 weeks, during which hair growth stops and the follicle shrinks.
Question 4: Which structure supplies nutrients to the hair follicle and supports hair growth?
- Arrector pili muscle
- Dermal papilla (Correct answer)
- Inner root sheath
- Sebaceous gland
Correct answer: Dermal papilla
The dermal papilla, located at the base of the follicle, contains blood vessels that supply nutrients essential for hair growth.
Question 5: Scutula (cup-shaped crusts with a musty odor on the scalp) are characteristic of:
- Tinea capitis
- Favus (tinea favosa) (Correct answer)
- Psoriasis
- Seborrheic dermatitis
Correct answer: Favus (tinea favosa)
Favus (tinea favosa) is a severe fungal infection producing distinctive cup-shaped crusts (scutula) with a mousy or musty odor.
Question 6: A barber notices a client's hair breaks near the scalp with a beaded appearance. This structural defect is known as:
- Trichoptilosis
- Monilethrix (Correct answer)
- Trichorrhexis nodosa
- Fragilitas crinium
Correct answer: Monilethrix
Monilethrix is a hereditary disorder causing alternating thick and thin nodes along the hair shaft, giving it a beaded appearance and causing fragility.
Question 7: Which of the following scalp conditions is contagious and should NOT be treated in a barbershop?
- Seborrheic dermatitis
- Androgenetic alopecia
- Tinea capitis (Correct answer)
- Psoriasis
Correct answer: Tinea capitis
Tinea capitis is a contagious fungal infection; barbers must refuse service and refer the client to a physician.
ABA Scalp Disorders & Trichology 3
A client who wears tight braids consistently develops hair loss along the hairline.
This is classified as: