What should you know about hair loss in circles on head?

One or more smooth, round patches with normal-looking skin can be a presentation of alopecia areata. Itching, scale, tenderness, swollen skin, or broken hairs may occur with scalp ringworm, which can spread between people and needs medical treatment. Hair pulled by tight styles may break around the hairline or in areas under repeated tension, consistent with traction alopecia. A circular patch is a description, not a diagnosis; the clinician may inspect the hairs, skin, and nearby scalp and ask whether other body hair has changed.

Avoid scratching, tight hairstyles, extensions, and sharing combs, hats, pillows, or hair tools until infection has been considered. Do not apply steroid, antifungal, or hair-growth products to a bare patch without advice, because the wrong product can obscure the appearance or delay appropriate care. Photograph the patch and note its size, symptoms, spread, and any recent contact with someone who has a scalp infection. Arrange an examination so treatment matches the cause.

Seek prompt assessment for painful swelling, pus, crusting, fever, rapidly spreading patches, or tender areas of broken hair. Arrange review sooner if eyebrows or eyelashes are also changing, nails develop new pits or ridges, or the skin looks shiny and scar-like. These features can affect the choice and timing of treatment.

Does the patch look smooth and non-inflamed, infected, or caused by breakage? Should anyone at home be checked? Do I need a fungal test or another examination? Which treatments are safe for my age, health, and pregnancy or breastfeeding plans?