Which term describes an acute localized bacterial infection around a hair follicle?

• A. furuncle
• B. tinea barbae
• C. secondary skin lesions
• D. primary skin lesions

Answer: (A)

An acute localized bacterial infection around a hair follicle is called a furuncle, a boil that begins at the follicle and extends into surrounding tissue. It typically presents as a tender, red nodule that enlarges and fills with pus, often culminating in spontaneous drainage; Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause. This term specifically describes the deeper, follicle-centered infection, unlike tinea barbae, which is a fungal infection of the beard area presenting as scaly patches with hair loss. Primary and secondary skin lesions are general classifications of lesion types and origins and do not describe this follicular infection.