Bald Patch On Scalp

[deejah]

otherwise healthy female about 30 yo

has a bald patch on her scalp in a random spot (off center)

not getting smaller

getting bigger

many months now

the hair just stops growing and there is a roundish area of skin with no hair

she's seen a couple of doctors in bkk but i am afraid they don't know

what the problem is and are shooting in the dark

is anyone familiar with such a condition?

fungus? bacteria? allergy? virus?

[moldy]

otherwise healthy female about 30 yo

has a bald patch on her scalp in a random spot (off center)

not getting smaller

getting bigger

many months now

the hair just stops growing and there is a roundish area of skin with no hair

she's seen a couple of doctors in bkk but i am afraid they don't know

what the problem is and are shooting in the dark

is anyone familiar with such a condition?

fungus? bacteria? allergy? virus?

Could be one of those that needs to have a lot of opinions. But I believe it's not uncommon- alopecia I think. Can happen at high times of stress or anxiety- which may just include the worry of having a bald patch if you see what I mean.

Initially I can only suggest vitamin pills, a good diet, plenty of rest, etc. It will probably go away.

Sometimes we make these things worse by picking, rubbing etc, (picking at sore teeth syndrome)

Yes explore fungal causes.

Hope one of the moderators comes round soon.

Quite distressing I imagine.

New a bloke. Shining thick head of hair. Got divorced and had similar. Hair grew back.

[Sheryl]

There are many possible causes:

- fungal infection (ringworm of the scalp)

- autoimmune disease

- various medications (including birth controls) can have this effect in some women

- thyroid disease

to mention but a few.

The treatments vary with the cause and what treatsone cause will make another worse.

A dermatologist should be able to tell if it is ringworm or not. If it is not, she should get her throid level checked. If that is normal, consider possibility of it being due to medication is she takes anythin g on a regular basis.

If none of the above, consult a specialist in immunology, may be an auto-immune condition which would respond to steroids. (Steroids would make a fungal infection worse, tho, hence the need to rule that out first).

[karenbenn]

Sounds like alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease. The cause is unknown. This disorder causes hair follicles to stop producing hairs.

Here is some info about this condition: http://www.alopeciaareata.com/default2.asp

And here is a quite complete list of possible hair loss causes: http://www.originaldrugs.com/hair-loss-drugs.shtml