Which term best describes inflammation of the hair shaft?

• A. Inflammation of the follicle
• B. Inflammation of the sebaceous gland
• C. Inflammation of the skin around the hair root
• D. Inflammation of the hair shaft

Answer: (D)

Inflammation localized to the hair shaft is described by the term trichitis. This term specifically targets the shaft itself—the portion of the hair that extends outward from the follicle. Other terms refer to inflammation of neighboring structures: folliculitis is inflammation of the hair follicle, perifolliculitis refers to tissue around the root, and inflammation of a sebaceous gland involves the gland rather than the shaft. Therefore, describing the condition as inflammation of the hair shaft best captures the exact site of inflammation.