Overview
Alopecia areata causes smooth, round patches of hair loss on the scalp, beard, or body.
Scalp ringworm causes scaly patches; hair pulling causes uneven broken hairs.
When to get medical care
Causes
Causes include alopecia areata, scalp ringworm, trichotillomania, and tight hairstyles.
OwieClear has pages on 2 conditions that can cause round, smooth bald patches. Each shows how soon to get care.
Common causes
- Alopecia areata (patchy hair loss)See a doctor if it doesn't get better
An autoimmune condition that causes round, smooth bald patches on the scalp, beard, or eyebrows.
Less likely causes
- Trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder)See a doctor if it doesn't get better
Repeatedly pulling out hair from the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, or other areas, often during stress, boredom, or without noticing, which leaves thin or bald…
What you can do at home
- Protect bald areas from sun.
Medicines
Steroid injections, creams, and JAK inhibitor pills can help.
At the doctor
Diagnosed by exam.
Questions you may be asked
- Duration
- Other autoimmune conditions
The exam
A scalp exam.
Tests
- Scalp scraping
- Thyroid tests
Prevention
Not preventable.
- Get checked early
Check your symptoms
Most symptoms have more than one possible cause. The symptom checker looks at all of your symptoms together, plus your age, and shows how soon to get care.
Sources
Last updated 2026-11-13.