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General health information

Bald patches

Bald patches are a pattern, not a diagnosis. Causes include alopecia areata, scalp fungal infection, hair pulling, scarring or other skin disease. Distinguishing them matters: fungal infection may spread to others and scarring may cause permanent damage.

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  • Bald patches have various causes and require more than simply asking whether hair will return.
  • Important causes are alopecia areata, scalp fungal infection, trichotillomania and scarring inflammation.
  • Fungal infection can be contagious and mainly affects children, but adults can also develop it.
  • Scarring is a warning sign because delayed treatment may leave permanent loss.
  • Look beyond missing hair to scales, redness, crusts, pain, pus, breakage and changes elsewhere on skin or nails.

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Further reading

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H
Hair lossHair loss is common and has many possible causes. Inherited hair loss is the most common, but stress, illness, childbirth, deficiencies, thyroid problems, autoimmune disease, pulling on the hair and scalp inflammation may also contribute. Not every form is harmless: rapid or scarring hair loss, bald patches with redness or scaling, and hair loss with other physical symptoms need timely assessment. Do not expect miracles from supplements or oils.
S
Scalp ringwormScalp ringworm, also called tinea capitis, is a fungal infection of the scalp and hair. Common signs include itching, scaling, broken hairs or bald patches. Cream on the skin alone is usually not enough: because the hair is also affected, treatment with a medicine taken by mouth is often needed under medical guidance. A painful swollen area of inflammation with pus, called a kerion, needs prompt assessment to help prevent permanent hair loss.
L
Lichen planusLichen planus is an inflammatory condition of the skin or mucous membranes. It can affect the skin, mouth, genitals, scalp or nails. Symptoms are often not dangerous, but can last a long time and sometimes cause scarring or permanent damage. Oral and genital forms need monitoring, and follow-up matters in some forms because of a small risk of cancerous change.