Colorado Cosmetology Written Practice Exam

What is alopecia areata?

1. Sudden hair loss in round or irregular patches without the display of an inflamed scalp

2. Benign, keratin-filled cysts

3. An acute disorder of the sweat glands

4. A hair follicle that is plugged

The correct answer is: Sudden hair loss in round or irregular patches without the display of an inflamed scalp

Alopecia areata is characterized as sudden hair loss that occurs in round or irregular patches, typically without any signs of inflammation on the scalp. This condition is an autoimmune disorder where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, leading to hair loss. The absence of an inflamed scalp helps distinguish alopecia areata from other scalp conditions that may cause hair loss, such as psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis, which often involve inflamed skin. The other options refer to different conditions: the benign, keratin-filled cysts describe pilar cysts, which are unrelated to hair loss; the acute disorder of the sweat glands pertains to conditions like hyperhidrosis, which affects sweat production rather than hair follicles; and the plugged hair follicle refers to issues like acne or folliculitis, which also do not pertain to the sudden hair loss characteristic of alopecia areata. Thus, the correct choice accurately defines this specific type of hair loss.