What should you know about a small round bald spot on your head?

A smooth patch without redness or scale can fit alopecia areata, an immune-related form of patchy hair loss. A patch with broken hairs, scaling, tenderness, or crusting can suggest scalp ringworm, which may spread and needs medical treatment. Hair may also thin after repeated traction, tight hairstyles, or rubbing. The size, surface, number of patches, and whether the area is changing all help a clinician narrow the possibilities.

A bald patch is a presentation of several conditions; it does not by itself establish which condition is present. Looking closely at the scalp and examining nearby hairs are often more useful than judging the shape alone. See the overview of [Bald Patches](/symptoms/bald-patches/) and condition information on [Alopecia Areata](/conditions/alopecia-areata/) or [Scalp Ringworm](/conditions/scalp-ringworm/).

Take a clear photograph in good light and note when you first noticed the patch. Use gentle shampoo, avoid scratching, and pause tight hairstyles, extensions, harsh chemicals, or heat directed at the area. Do not share combs, brushes, hats, or pillows if there is scale or suspected infection. A clinician may inspect the scalp, check hair shafts, and decide whether testing or prescription treatment is needed.

Arrange a prompt appointment if the patch is enlarging, new patches appear, or the scalp is painful, swollen, crusted, or draining. Seek earlier assessment for fever, marked tenderness, broken hairs with scale, or hair loss involving eyelashes or eyebrows. These features can indicate inflammation or infection that should not be managed by waiting alone.

Ask what findings point toward alopecia areata, infection, or traction; whether the scalp needs a fungal test; which hair products or hairstyles to stop; and how you will monitor regrowth or progression.