What should you know about a circle bald spot?

Alopecia areata often creates a smooth, sharply defined patch without obvious scale. Scalp ringworm may cause scaling, broken hairs, itching, tenderness, or swollen areas, and it can spread between people or through shared items. Hair pulling, inflammation, and damage around the follicles can also produce patchy loss. The pattern, scalp surface, nail changes, eyebrow or eyelash involvement, and speed of change help a clinician narrow the cause. A photo can help track growth, but it cannot replace an examination.

Book a dermatology or primary-care assessment if the patch is new, enlarging, itchy, scaly, painful, or recurring. Avoid tight hairstyles, scratching, and sharing combs, hats, or pillowcases until infection has been considered. Do not apply steroid or antifungal treatment to the scalp without advice, because the wrong product can obscure the pattern or delay suitable care. Read about [Alopecia Areata](/conditions/alopecia-areata/), [Scalp Ringworm](/conditions/scalp-ringworm/), and [Bald Patches](/symptoms/bald-patches/).

Arrange prompt care for pus, marked swelling, severe pain, fever, tender neck glands, or rapidly spreading scalp changes. Urgent assessment is especially useful when a child has a scaly patch or when several household members develop similar symptoms. Seek earlier review if the scalp becomes shiny or scarred, because follicle damage can affect regrowth.

Ask whether the patch looks smooth or inflamed, whether a fungal test is needed, which treatments support regrowth, and how to protect household members if infection is suspected.