New York State Barber Practice Exam

Round patches of hair loss, redness, and flaking skin are characteristic signs of scalp ringworm, which is a fungal infection also known as tinea capitis. The most notable symptom is the localized hair loss, often in a circular pattern, that corresponds with the areas of inflammation and irritation on the scalp. The redness indicates inflammation caused by the body's immune response to the fungal infection. Additionally, the flaking skin results from the disruption of normal skin integrity due to the infection.

While flaky skin, itching, and dandruff-like flakes can be present in various scalp conditions, they do not specifically indicate scalp ringworm. Flaky skin may lack the inflammation or hair loss associated with the infection, and itching alone does not provide a complete picture of the symptoms. Similarly, dandruff-like flakes can appear in conditions like seborrheic dermatitis, which is unrelated to ringworm. Therefore, the combination of hair loss, redness, and flaking skin uniquely identifies scalp ringworm.