A bald spot in the middle of the head

A natural crown whorl can expose more scalp under bright overhead light, while a new smooth circle is a different finding. Alopecia areata can present with a clearly bordered smooth patch; scalp ringworm may present with scale and broken hairs.

A discrete patch has a recognizable edge. A widening part looks more diffuse and follows the line where hair is separated. Crown thinning makes the scalp increasingly visible across a broader zone and may be most noticeable in photographs from above.

Check for scale, redness, tender bumps, crust or hairs snapped at uneven lengths. These findings shift attention toward infection, inflammation or mechanical damage. Smooth normal-colored skin, nail changes or additional patches elsewhere may support consideration of alopecia areata, but a clinician should interpret the pattern.

Take photographs from above in the same lighting, with the part placed consistently and hair dry. Avoid tightly gathering hair across the crown, picking at scale or applying strong home mixtures. Gentle cleansing can keep the surface visible for an examination.

Schedule a scalp assessment if this is a new or changing area. The clinician may compare hair-shaft thickness, look at follicle openings and examine the patch margin. Testing may be suggested when fungus, inflammation or a general health contributor is suspected. The correct treatment differs substantially between those causes.

Seek prompt medical attention for a painful swollen area, pus, fever or redness spreading beyond the patch. Obtain an early dermatology review if the skin becomes shiny, loses visible follicle openings, or has persistent burning or tenderness. Make a standard appointment if the area broadens, fresh spots emerge or shedding becomes widespread.

Ask whether this is a focal patch or patterned thinning, whether follicles appear intact, and whether the scalp needs fungal testing or another investigation. It is also useful to ask which signs indicate recovery, what products could interfere with treatment and when follow-up photographs should be compared.