Louisiana Esthetics State Board Practice Test

Which condition refers to ingrown hairs?

1. Folliculitis

2. Dermatitis

3. Alopecia

4. Eczema

The correct answer is: Folliculitis

Ingrown hairs are most accurately associated with folliculitis. This condition occurs when hair follicles become inflamed, often due to hair being trapped under the skin’s surface, which leads to the hair growing sideways or curling back into the skin. This can create discomfort and lead to small, red bumps resembling pimples. Folliculitis can be triggered by various factors, including shaving, waxing, and other forms of hair removal. The other options represent different skin conditions: dermatitis typically refers to inflammation of the skin with various forms like contact dermatitis, alopecia pertains to hair loss (often in patches), and eczema is a condition that causes the skin to become inflamed, red, and itchy, due to various triggers. Each of these conditions has distinct characteristics and causes, differentiating them from folliculitis and its specific association with ingrown hairs.