Hair disorders: folliculitis decalvans: 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: folliculitis decalvans

Sample item

A 35-year-old man has a scalp vertex patch of scarring alopecia with pustules, crusts and tufts of 5 to 10 hairs emerging from single follicles. Cultures grow Staphylococcus aureus. Which combination is the standard treatment?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Rifampicin with clindamycin for several weeks

Folliculitis decalvans is a neutrophilic scarring folliculitis with tufted hairs and chronic Staphylococcus aureus colonisation. Combined rifampicin and clindamycin for about 10 weeks is the classic regimen, with isotretinoin or doxycycline as other options. It is a scarring process that needs early treatment.

Option by option

  • A. Oral griseofulvin

    Griseofulvin treats tinea capitis.

  • B. Rifampicin with clindamycin for several weeks (correct)

    Correct. Rifampicin plus clindamycin is the classic regimen.

  • C. Single-dose fluconazole

    Fluconazole is antifungal.

  • D. Topical permethrin

    Permethrin is antiparasitic.

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 B, Rifampicin with clindamycin for several weeks. Folliculitis decalvans is a neutrophilic scarring folliculitis with tufted hairs and chronic Staphylococcus aureus colonisation.

Why is "Oral griseofulvin" not the answer?

Griseofulvin treats tinea capitis.

Why is "Single-dose fluconazole" not the answer?

Fluconazole is antifungal.

Why is "Topical permethrin" not the answer?

Permethrin is antiparasitic.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Hair disorders: folliculitis decalvans in Dermatology. Combined rifampicin and clindamycin for about 10 weeks is the classic regimen, with isotretinoin or doxycycline as other options. It is a scarring process that needs early treatment.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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: folliculitis decalvans?

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.