Pastes should not be applied to hairy parts of the body. True or False?

• A. False
• B. True
• C. Not applicable
• D. Sometimes

Answer: (B)

Pastes are dense topical dosage forms with a high solid content, making them thick and quite sticky. This consistency is great for staying on a lesion and absorbing moisture, but it also means the paste tends to catch and cling to hair rather than spread evenly over the skin. Hair disrupts uniform contact, can make the paste hard to remove, and may cause discomfort during cleaning or removal. Because of these practical issues, pastes are generally not used on hairy parts of the body; alternative formulations like ointments or creams are preferred for those areas. So the statement is true.