What causes patchy baldness?

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Patchy baldness is a form of hair loss with no one cause and can be found in the healthy as well as the sick. It can cause considerable social anxiety, but it is rarely a permanent form of hair loss like male-pattern baldness.

Primary Cause

There is no singular cause of patchy baldness, though the two most common are alopecia areata, which is an autoimmune disorder, and heredity. The condition may be genetic and require a trigger, such as stress, to facilitate the loss of hair.

Secondary Causes

Other possible causes of patchy baldness include a skin infection such as ringworm, poor diet, conditions such as diabetes and hormonal changes. The severity of the hair loss is dependent on the underlying cause.

Appearance

Patchy baldness typically occurs on the scalp, though it can occur anywhere hair grows, such as the eyebrows or face. The patches are often the size of a quarter or silver dollar and are relatively smooth.

Prognosis

The duration of baldness is dependent on the cause. Alopecia areata is typically not a permanent loss of hair, and if caused by an autoimmune disorder, it may occur several times throughout your life.

Prevention

If caused by an autoimimmune disorder, patchy baldness cannot be prevented. Eating a healthy diet and avoiding pulling your hair might be of some help.

Source

MayoClinic: Hair Loss

Medline Plus: Alopecia Areata

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What causes patchy baldness?

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