You catch a glimpse in the mirror and notice a thin spot that wasn’t there before. Maybe you see more hair than usual in the shower drain. Perhaps a small, smooth patch on your scalp has appeared out of nowhere.
Hair loss can feel alarming, especially when it happens quickly and without explanation. Your first question is simple: Why? There are many possible causes, including stress, medication side effects, hormonal imbalances, and autoimmune conditions such as alopecia areata.
Below, double board-certified dermatologist Glenn Kolansky, MD, FAAD, focuses on many causes of hair loss, including alopecia areata. Keep reading to learn five early warning signs of alopecia areata and how our team at Advanced Dermatology Surgery & Laser Center can help.
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune skin condition that disrupts normal hair growth. Your immune system mistakenly attacks your hair follicles, which disrupts normal hair growth. The words themselves mean “bald” (alopecia) and “patchy” (areata).
Genetics, stress, and other immune triggers may play a role, but it isn’t caused by poor hair care or hygiene.
About seven million Americans struggle with this condition, but women and people of color are more at risk. Some people experience one episode and regrow their hair, while others may experience recurring cycles of hair loss and regrowth.
Note: There are many types of alopecia, including androgenic alopecia (male or female pattern hair loss). Alopecia areata is just one type.
If you notice any changes to the skin on your scalp or your hair growth, you don’t have to wait for the hair loss to worsen before you reach out for help.
You might suspect you have alopecia areata if you have:
Smooth, round, or oval patches of hair loss are the hallmark of alopecia areata. Unlike male or female-pattern hair loss, which typically causes gradual thinning, alopecia areata produces well-defined areas of sudden hair loss. The skin in these patches usually appears smooth and normal.
These patches most often develop on the scalp but may also affect the beard, eyebrows, eyelashes, or other areas of the body.
The skin in these patchy areas usually looks normal. You may not see redness or scaling. The patch can develop quickly, sometimes over just a few days.
Before a visible patch appears, you might notice increased shedding in one location. Your hair may come out more easily when you brush or wash it.
Unlike general thinning, alopecia areata often affects specific spots rather than the entire scalp at once.
Some people experience unusual sensations in the area before hair falls out. You may feel tingling, itching, or mild tenderness on the scalp.
These sensations aren’t always present, but when they occur, they can signal inflammation affecting the hair follicles.
Alopecia areata tends to cause short hairs that are narrower at the bottom and thicker at the top. You may hear these called “exclamation point” hairs.
You may not notice them on your own, but Dr. Kolansky can identify them during an exam. Their presence helps confirm the diagnosis.
The next warning sign has nothing to do with your hair. Surprisingly, alopecia areata can sometimes affect your nails. You might see small dents or ridges in the nails, known as nail pitting.
Though not everyone experiences nail changes, they can appear before or even after hair loss.
If you’re noticing round patches, sudden shedding, or changes to your eyebrows or beard, alopecia areata could be the reason.
You should schedule an evaluation if you notice:
Once you’ve confirmed the source of your hair loss, you can move from asking, “Why am I losing hair?” to “What can I do about it?”
Dr. Kolansky does more than confirm a diagnosis. You receive a thorough scalp evaluation, a detailed review of your medical history, and a personalized treatment plan based on the pattern and severity of your hair loss.
Treatment plans include triamcinolone (corticosteroid) injections, topical or oral minoxidil, platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP therapy), and newer oral medications that are JAK inhibitors.
To learn more or to schedule an appointment at our Tinton Falls, New Jersey, location, call 732-204-8311 or click here to get started.
