South Carolina Barber Practice Exam

Which is a sign of a fungal infection in the scalp?

1. Redness and flaking

2. Dryness and itching

3. Thinning hair

4. Excess oiliness

The correct answer is: Redness and flaking

A sign of a fungal infection in the scalp is often characterized by redness and flaking. Fungal infections can lead to conditions such as tinea capitis, commonly known as ringworm of the scalp. In such cases, the affected area may exhibit redness due to inflammation caused by the fungal presence, and flaking skin can occur as a result of irritation. The redness indicates that the body's immune response is activated, while the flaking might imply that the skin is shedding dead cells as it attempts to combat the infection. In contrast, while dryness and itching can be associated with various scalp conditions, they are not exclusively indicative of a fungal infection. Thinning hair is more commonly associated with other issues such as hormonal changes or genetics, while excess oiliness generally relates to an overproduction of sebum, which can lead to other types of scalp disorders but does not specifically point to a fungal infection. Thus, observing redness and flaking is a more direct indicator of a potential fungal issue.