What Causes Bald Patches On The Scalp?

Are you observing some bald spots on your scalp? It is something like a nightmare. Most of the people on this planet are frightened with a thought of losing hair, and they need some solution to deal with it. Earlier symptoms of baldness were associated with aging, but the sad part is that today you can identify many young people also suffering from bald patches on their scalp. Experts reveal that one of the biggest reason behind these increasing cases of male pattern baldness is bad lifestyle choices. Other than this, bald patches on the scalp are also caused by lack of nutrition and stress.

Although bald patches are common among males, it creates an embarrassing condition for a woman. Around 40% woman around the world are suffering from this type of hair loss in America. So, it is important to find some potential solution to get rid of this health issue. But before you opt for any treatment, it is important to know the causes behind bald patches on the scalp. Below we have discussed some of the major causes behind the occurrence of bald patches in men and women.

Causes of Bald Patches on the Scalp

• Androgenic Alopecia

This cause of bald patches is more common in man; however, many cases of a woman affected with androgenic alopecia are also reported within past few years. This baldness condition is also named as male pattern baldness, and it usually affected the area above vertex and temples, leaving the normal hair growth on a rear portion of the head. On the other side, when females are suffering from androgenic alopecia, it causes hair thinning, and with time it may cause the development of bald patches. It is believed that reactions of some hormones inside the human body are responsible for this condition that further causes development of bald patches on the scalp; This type of hair loss may appear faster and can be more extensive.

• Alopecia Areata:

Alopecia areata is common skin disorder that leads to hair loss in men as well as a woman, and the hair loss pattern is usually found in the form of patches on the scalp. In most cases, these patches appear suddenly, and they affected a limited area of skin. The lost hair often comes back within 12 months or lesser duration; however, for some patients, this problem may last even longer leading to total baldness that is named as alopecia totalis or loss of total body hair that is called as alopecia universalis.

Alopecia areata usually happen due to autoimmune reaction; in this state, the immune system of human body starts attacking its own cells. In patients suffering from Alopecia areata; the cells being attacked are hair follicles; especially those within the scalp reason. Another cause behind this condition is a genetic factor; in this case, the symptoms may also arrive before crossing the age group of 30. Around 40% of people suffer from this disorder due to inherited symptoms.

• Telogen Effluvium:

This health condition occurs as a result of trauma or shock and due to a high level of stress that can force the hair follicles to switch to the resting state. As a result, the normal growth cycle of hair gets disrupted, and it further starts causing some noticeable patches as well. Some of the major causes that lead to Telogen Effluvium disease development are allergic contact with scalp dermatitis, malnutrition, crash diets, chronic illness, chronic stress, thyroid problems, severe infections, childbirth, excessive stress and major surgery. Hair loss due to this disease generally get recovered by its own, and the hair grows back usually within 2-3 months after the occurrence of a stressful event.

• Scalp Psoriasis:

Here is another health issue that can cause hair loss and it generally leads to scaly patches that are covered with observable silvery-white scales, with reddish color along with some dandruff in the surrounding area. The intense itching on these patches often forces a person to scratch the area and this frequent rubbing on affected area leads to hair loss. The actual causes of scalp psoriasis are still unknown, but most health experts believe that this condition happens because of bad immune health. A specific type of immune cells that are named as T cells attack the healthy cells of the skin by mistake. As a result, the body starts producing higher content of white blood cells, skin cells, and T cells as well. It further leads to the development of dead skin and the accumulation of white cells on skin surface also causes scaly patches.

• Ringworm:

Ringworms doesn’t indicate the presence of worms rather it is a fungal infection that can affect any part of the body. In case if this infection targets scalp area; it leads to hair loss in the form of patches and doctors named this condition as Tinea Capitis. Note that ringworms infection is same as athlete’s foot that otherwise affects nails too. Ringworm generally starts with a small pimple that with time starts expanding to surrounding area causing some temporary baldness. The fungus attacks hair fibers while making them the week that further affects the health of hair making them brittle and easy to break off. This condition causes noticeable ring-shaped patches of baldness in the scalp region and person may suffer mild burning, tenderness, tingling or itching sensation in the affected area.

• Folliculitis:

Folliculitis is well understood as a health condition that causes inflammation of hair follicles. This disease may cause the appearance of some acne like structures on the affected hair follicles. When the impact of this folliculitis is severe, they can destroy hair follicles permanently, leaving the bald patches on scalp behind. Medical health experts have observed few non-infectious forms of folliculitis that are caused by clogging of follicles due to greases and oils on the scalp; but in many cases, folliculitis is caused by bacterial infections. If you are suffering from bald patches due to this health condition; it is possible to treat the issue with certain antibiotics.

• Piedra:

This disease happens when the hair fibers get infected by fungus, and it gives a visible indication of symptoms in the form of hard nodules on the hair fibers. There are two types of Piedra: white Piedra and black Piedra where the white one happens due to Trichosporon beigelii and is usually found in southern parts of the United States and Europe. On the other side, the black Piedra affects people in tropical countries, and it happens due to Piedraia Hortae fungus. Symptoms of Piedra infection are generally found on genital areas, body, and scalp as well. One possible treatment to deal with the bald patches created by Piedra is to shave off the affected areas completely. Sometimes, experts also recommend anti-fungal dosage as well to deal with the symptoms.

• Hormonal Imbalance:

A general cause of male pattern or female pattern baldness is a hormonal imbalance. In certain conditions, the body stops producing desired content of hormones that are necessary to maintain normal growth of hair on the scalp and other parts of the body. Sometimes the overproduction of a certain hormone can also cause bald patches on the scalp. It can also happen when the body is under stress due to fluctuations in thyroid level; when there is the improper production of insulin or blood sugar levels and if the persona is taking some kind of medications. Deficiency of vitamin D also leads to hormonal imbalances, and it can be later reflected in the form of baldness. In order to treat this issue; the best idea is to balance hormones level in your body.

• Iron deficiency:

In some cases, hair loss or the bald spots on the scalp are also observed due to iron deficiency in the human body. Note that iron is responsible for maintaining hemoglobin count in the body and this hemoglobin carries oxygen to different parts of the body so that cells can be repaired. But when the body does not have the desired amount of iron; it sometimes targets the cells that are responsible for hair growth on the scalp and other parts of the body. As a result, a person can suffer female pattern or male pattern baldness; however, in advanced cases, the bald spots are also possible.

• Medications:

Some studies also reveal that several medications are responsible for bald spots on the scalp. The potential ones are medications used at the time of chemotherapy. They are strong enough and cause huge damage to hair follicles that further leads to loss of hair in males and females. In few cases; it just causes hair thinning, but in other cases, the bald spots can be recognized on the scalp and other parts of the body. Other than this, injury or burns can also cause baldness and some medical reports also describe protein deficiency as a potential cause of bald spots on the scalp.

Possible Treatments for Bald Patches in Scalp

1. Bald patches and excessive hair loss in men and women can be treated only after dealing with the underlying cause of the disease. As there are so many health conditions that can cause hair loss on the scalp and other parts of the body, the treated must be selected accordingly. For example, if the baldness is caused by androgenic alopecia; the treatment is possible with finasteride and minoxidil. In few cases, tretinoin combined with ketoconazole, spironolactone, dutasteride, and minoxidil shampoo is used for the treatment of bald patches.
2. When bald patches are produced due to alopecia areata; the symptoms are treated using corticosteroid along with fluocinonide and clobetasol. Some medical experts also recommend cyclosporine, anthralin, and minoxidil for treating baldness caused by alopecia areata.
3. Consuming healthy and balanced diet in routine is another popular solution for bald patches on the scalp.
4. In case if the bald spots are caused by some kind of fungal infections; you may need to consume right antifungal medications to improve hair growth.
5. Those who are suffering from scalp psoriasis and need an immediate solution for unappealing patches on their skin are advised to start treatment with topical corticosteroids, moisturizers, coal tar, salicylic acid and many more.
6. When bald spots are caused by some serious diseases; the condition can be treated with light therapy, oral vitamin A and D derivatives, cyclosporine, corticosteroids, and

Excessive hair loss is a bad sign, and it demands immediate attention from a person. It is better to consult a physician as soon as possible and follow appropriate medications. In few cases, the symptoms can also be treated by using some home-based remedies.

Trusted Home Based Remedies for Bald Spots on Scalp

• Apple cider vinegar:

Apple cider vinegar helps to balance the pH levels in the human body that further removes unwanted microbes that may otherwise cause hair thinning. This solution also improves circulation to hair follicles so that regrowth of hair can be ensured. All that you need is one or two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and mix it in one cup of water. Now rinse your hair with this diluted solution right after you have washed them with shampoo. A gentle massage for one or two minutes can provide deep relief. Rinse off the hair with normal water after apple cider vinegar solution.

• Fenugreek:

Routine application of fenugreek or methi paste is the simplest way to deal with unwanted hair fall, and it can boost regrowth of new follicles in the scalp area. It delivers desired protein content to the human body while boosting production of enough amounts of hormones that are responsible for hair regrowth. Users need two to four tablespoons of fenugreek powder and mix it with a small amount of water or buttermilk to create a paste. Now apply this paste on affected areas of the scalp and wait for at least one hour. Now gently wash off your hair with a gentle shampoo.

• Aloe Vera:

Same as apple cider vinegar, Aloe Vera is also capable enough to maintain normal pH levels in the scalp, and at the same time, it also removes dryness from the affected area. Collect fresh Aloe Vera gel and store it on your scalp between thinning hair strands. Let it stay there for at least 15 to 20 minutes and then rinse your hair.