What should you know about woman getting bald spots?

Smooth, clearly outlined patches may occur with alopecia areata, an immune-related condition affecting hair follicles. Scaling, broken hairs, tenderness, or swollen areas can point toward scalp ringworm, which needs medical treatment. Hair loss may also follow tight hairstyles, extensions, chemical processing, or scratching. A clinician checks the pattern, skin surface, follicles, and other body symptoms; the symptom alone cannot identify its cause.

Take clear photographs in consistent lighting and note when each patch appeared, whether it is enlarging, and whether itching or scale is present. Loosen hairstyles, avoid picking, and use gentle washing until assessed. Do not share combs, brushes, hats, or towels if infection is possible. Treatment depends on the finding and can include medical therapy; a hair transplant is not suitable while an active inflammatory or infectious cause remains unresolved.

Book a dermatology visit promptly if patches are spreading, the scalp is painful, inflamed, crusted, or draining, or eyelashes and eyebrows are also thinning. Seek earlier care for a child in the household with scalp scaling or broken hairs, because ringworm can spread between people. Sudden extensive loss or scarring should be assessed without delay.

Ask whether the pattern suggests alopecia areata, scalp ringworm, traction, or another cause; whether a scalp examination or test is needed; and which signs would show that treatment is working.