What should you know about non-scarring hair loss?

A widening part or gradual recession may occur with male or female pattern hair loss. Sudden smooth patches can occur with alopecia areata, while diffuse shedding may follow illness, major stress, weight change, or another body change and may fit telogen effluvium. Itching, scaling, broken hairs, or tender areas can point toward scalp ringworm. Tight styles or extensions can cause traction alopecia; ongoing pulling can eventually injure follicles.

A clinician may examine the scalp, ask when shedding began, review medicines and health changes, and sometimes check for an underlying contributor. The pattern is more informative than the amount of hair noticed on one day.

Photograph the part line and affected areas in similar lighting, and note recent fever, surgery, pregnancy, dietary restriction, emotional strain, or new medication. Use gentle washing, avoid tight hairstyles and harsh chemical processing, and do not scratch a scaling scalp. Treatment depends on the cause; options may include observation, treatment of scalp infection, management of inflammation, or medicines such as finasteride when clinically suitable.

Explore background information on [Alopecia Areata](/conditions/alopecia-areata/), [Telogen Effluvium](/conditions/telogen-effluvium/), or [Hair Loss](/symptoms/hair-loss/) before an appointment.

Arrange a dermatology assessment for rapidly advancing loss, sharply defined patches, scalp pain, marked redness, pus, crusting, or broken hairs with scaling. Seek prompt medical advice if hair loss occurs with fatigue, unexplained weight change, menstrual changes, or other new symptoms. Early review matters when tight styles are causing tenderness or when a child has a scaly patch, because untreated traction or infection can damage follicles.

Which pattern does my scalp examination show? Could a recent illness, medicine, nutrition change, hormone change, infection, or hairstyle be contributing? Do I need blood tests or a scalp test? What treatment fits my diagnosis, and how will we judge whether it is helping?