Inflammation or infection of the hair follicles is termed what?

• A. PIH
• B. Sycosis
• C. Hair shaft
• D. Folliculitis

Answer: (D)

Folliculitis is the inflammation or infection of the hair follicles. It describes the condition where follicles become inflamed, often presenting with small pustules around the base of hairs and sometimes itching or tenderness. Causes include bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, fungi, or irritation from shaving or friction. The other terms don’t fit as the general condition: PIH stands for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, a pigment change after inflammation rather than the follicle infection itself; sycosis is a specific type of folliculitis that affects the beard area, not the broad general term; and the hair shaft refers to the hair strand, not an inflammatory condition.