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How Can A Bald Patch On The Scalp Be Treated?
Sometime this past fall I noticed a patch of scalp showing through my hair at the crown . As time went on it became more difficult to hide it with combing over with hair and then spraying it. At present, if I lift up fairly large pieces of hair down the back of my head more pieces of scalp are unusually visible. I have always had very thick hair and have always been complimented on it. I am 77. Can you please give me some advice? YYYY@YYYY
Thu, 10 May 2018
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
A patchy hair loss on the scalp is suggestive of alopecia areata (AA). Patchy hair loss in AA most commonly happens on the scalp but any hairy part of the body can get involved in the process. Complete hair loss in the local area may take a few weeks.
This is an autoimmune disorder meaning the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles. However, hair follicles do not get damaged permanently, therefore, after a few months hair will re-grow.
You seem to have a mild form of AA. You can get a prescription from your doctor for topical corticosteroids (e.g. Synalar or Diprosone) which is applied 2 times a day. Your doctor may also consider injecting corticosteroids on the lesion, using immunosuppressant medicines or prescribe Minoxidil Topical.
Please note, not all lesions in AA need treatment (small, no cosmetic effect etc), because hair growth usually happens after a few months by its natural course.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Malik
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
A patchy hair loss on the scalp is suggestive of alopecia areata (AA). Patchy hair loss in AA most commonly happens on the scalp but any hairy part of the body can get involved in the process. Complete hair loss in the local area may take a few weeks.
This is an autoimmune disorder meaning the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles. However, hair follicles do not get damaged permanently, therefore, after a few months hair will re-grow.
You seem to have a mild form of AA. You can get a prescription from your doctor for topical corticosteroids (e.g. Synalar or Diprosone) which is applied 2 times a day. Your doctor may also consider injecting corticosteroids on the lesion, using immunosuppressant medicines or prescribe Minoxidil Topical.
Please note, not all lesions in AA need treatment (small, no cosmetic effect etc), because hair growth usually happens after a few months by its natural course.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Malik
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