What should you know about natural hair growth for bald spots?

A bald patch may follow an autoimmune process such as alopecia areata, a fungal infection such as scalp ringworm, repeated pulling, inflammation or injury. The surface may be smooth, scaly, tender, itchy or scarred, and these clues change the next step.

Some follicles can resume growth after the trigger settles; scarred follicles may not. A clinician may examine the hairs and scalp, review the timing and ask about illness, stress, family history, hairstyles and contact with infected people.

Wash gently, avoid scratching, and pause tight braids, extensions, chemical processing and repeated heat over the patch. Do not share combs, hats or pillows if the scalp is scaly or infection is possible. Avoid applying steroid, antifungal or hair-growth products without advice because the wrong treatment can mask the cause or irritate skin.

Take a clear photograph and note whether the patch is expanding, whether hairs are breaking, and whether other body hair is affected. Treatment may range from addressing infection or traction to medical therapy; a hair transplant is generally considered only after the cause and scalp stability are understood.

Arrange a prompt assessment for a new, enlarging or recurrent patch, especially with scale, crust, pain, pus, swollen neck glands or broken hairs. Seek urgent help for rapidly spreading redness, severe swelling, fever or feeling acutely unwell.

Ask which signs point to alopecia areata, scalp ringworm or traction, whether testing is needed, how long regrowth may take and how relapse will be watched. Discuss whether [Hair Transplant](/treatments/hair-restoration/hair-transplant/) has any role for your situation.