What should you know about multiple bald spots on head?

Alopecia areata commonly presents with smooth, clearly defined patches where hair has shed. Scalp ringworm can present with scaling, broken hairs, itch, tenderness, or swollen areas. Tight hairstyles, pulling, heat, chemical processing, and inflammation can also produce patchy loss. The appearance alone cannot confirm the cause.

A clinician may examine the scalp and hair shafts and ask when the patches began, whether they are spreading, and whether anyone close to you has a contagious scalp infection. Early assessment matters when there is scale, pain, pus, or rapidly changing hair loss.

Take clear photographs in good light and note changes in size, itch, scale, tenderness, and broken hairs. Use gentle hair care, avoid scratching and tight styles, and do not share combs, hats, pillows, or hair tools if a contagious infection is possible. Avoid starting a steroid or antifungal product without advice, because the wrong treatment can obscure the diagnosis.

Arrange a dermatology assessment if patches persist, multiply, or affect eyebrows or eyelashes. Treatment depends on the cause; hair restoration procedures are not the first step while active inflammation or infection remains unexplained.

Seek prompt care for painful swelling, pus, fever, marked redness, crusting, or tender neck glands. Arrange urgent assessment if hair loss is sudden and extensive, the scalp is severely inflamed, or vision or facial symptoms occur with the eruption.

Ask whether the pattern suggests alopecia areata, infection, traction, or another cause; whether testing is needed; how to reduce spread if infection is suspected; and how progress will be monitored.