Description

Patchy hair loss, most commonly alopecia areata, is an autoimmune condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, leading to sudden, round, smooth patches of hair loss on the scalp or other body areas like eyebrows and beards. While it often resolves with hair regrowing within months, sometimes even without treatment, other causes of patchy loss include fungal infections (like tinea capitis) and traction alopecia from tight hairstyles. Treatment for alopecia areata may involve steroid injections or topical medications, and other forms of patchy hair loss can be treated by addressing the underlying cause.