PSI Barbering Practice Exam

In which condition is hair loss often patchy and can trigger rapid loss of hair?

1. Alopecia areata

2. Alopecia senilis

3. Androgenetic alopecia

4. Telogen effluvium

The correct answer is: Alopecia areata

Alopecia areata is characterized by patchy hair loss, which occurs due to an autoimmune response where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles. This frequently results in sudden hair loss in one or more patches on the scalp or other areas of the body. The condition can develop quite rapidly, often with noticeable bald spots appearing within a short period. In contrast, alopecia senilis is typically associated with the aging process and does not present with patchy loss, but rather a more generalized thinning of hair. Androgenetic alopecia, commonly known as male or female pattern baldness, tends to produce a more gradual and uniform thinning of hair rather than sudden outbreaks of baldness. Telogen effluvium refers to a temporary form of hair loss that usually results from stress, hormonal changes, or other factors but tends to exhibit more diffuse thinning rather than the patchy loss characteristic of alopecia areata.