What should you know about found a bald spot on my head?

A smooth, round patch without scale or redness can occur with Alopecia Areata, an immune-related condition affecting hair follicles. A patch with scale, broken hairs, crusting, tenderness, or swollen glands can occur with Scalp Ringworm, a fungal infection that needs medical treatment. Hair may also break from tight hairstyles, repeated pulling, chemical processing, or friction. The shape, surface of the scalp, speed of change, and presence of other patches help guide diagnosis.

Take a clear photograph in good light and note when you first saw the patch. Avoid tight hairstyles, picking, harsh chemicals, and sharing combs, hats, or pillowcases until infection has been considered. A clinician may inspect the scalp and hairs, and may arrange testing if the surface looks scaly or inflamed. Hair Transplant is not usually the first step while the cause is active or uncertain.

Arrange a dermatology visit if the patch is enlarging, new patches appear, hair is breaking, or the scalp is itchy, painful, scaly, crusted, or swollen. Seek prompt care for pus, significant tenderness, fever, or rapidly spreading inflammation, particularly in a child.

Ask what the scalp pattern suggests, whether you need a fungal test, which hairstyles or products to stop, and how treatment will be monitored for regrowth or further loss.