Idaho Barber Licensure Practice Exam

What is a common symptom of a scalp disease?

1. Itching or redness

2. Dryness or flaking

3. Blisters or lesions

4. Excessive oiliness

The correct answer is: Itching or redness

Itching or redness are common symptoms of scalp diseases, as they often indicate inflammation or irritation on the scalp. Conditions such as psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, and folliculitis can lead to these symptoms due to a variety of underlying causes like infection, allergies, or skin conditions. When the scalp is affected, the body's immune response can trigger an inflammatory reaction, resulting in sensations like itching and visual signs such as redness. These symptoms serve as signals that there is an issue requiring attention, which is why they are frequently observed in various scalp diseases. While other symptoms like dryness or flaking, blisters or lesions, and excessive oiliness can also occur with certain scalp conditions, they are not as universally indicative of scalp diseases as itching and redness are. These signs may point to specific conditions, but itching and redness are more broadly applicable across a range of scalp issues.