What do bald patches feel like with hair pulling disorder?

Bald Patches is a common presentation of Hair Pulling Disorder. The skin may feel normal when untouched, while recently pulled areas can sting or feel sore. Repeated touching may cause tingling, irritation, small scabs, or short broken hairs of different lengths. Some people feel tension before pulling and relief afterward; others pull without noticing during concentration, stress, or boredom. Hair pulling can affect the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, or other hair-bearing areas, so the texture and sensitivity depend on the site.

Take a close look in good light without repeatedly rubbing or plucking the area. Note whether the patch is smooth, inflamed, scaly, crusted, or filled with broken hairs, and record when pulling or urges happen. Gentle washing and avoiding tight hairstyles can reduce additional irritation. A dermatologist can check the skin and hair shafts, while a mental health professional familiar with body-focused repetitive behaviors can help identify triggers and practice urge-management techniques. Do not shave, wax, or pull surrounding hairs to make the patch look even.

Arrange an examination if hair loss is spreading, the scalp is painful, oozing, bleeding, strongly inflamed, or developing thick crusts, or if eyelashes or eyebrows are affected near the eye. Seek prompt support when urges feel uncontrollable, pulling is causing wounds, or shame is keeping you from daily activities. Sudden smooth loss without an urge to pull also deserves assessment because several hair and scalp conditions can look alike.

Could the patch pattern and broken hairs fit hair pulling disorder or another cause? How can I protect irritated skin while it heals? What support is available for urges, triggers, and automatic pulling? Should the scalp or hair be examined again if new patches appear?