A smooth bald patch that appears suddenly may be alopecia areata, but other conditions can look similar. Fungal infections, tight hairstyles, hair-pulling and scalp inflammation can also cause patchy hair loss. An examination helps identify the cause rather than relying on appearance alone.

No. Patients often assume that any round bald patch is alopecia areata, but several hair and scalp conditions can cause a similar pattern. The appearance of the scalp, surrounding hairs and way the hair loss developed help the doctor make the correct diagnosis.

It is common for patients to notice a bald patch after a stressful period and wonder whether stress caused it. Stress may trigger or worsen alopecia areata in some people, but many patients develop it without an obvious trigger. It is an autoimmune condition—not something you caused or could necessarily have prevented.

No. Alopecia areata cannot spread from one person to another. It is not caused by poor hygiene, sharing personal items or using the wrong hair products, so there is no need to avoid normal contact with other people.

Yes, hair can grow back, either naturally or with treatment. Patients may first notice fine, short or lighter-coloured hairs within the patch before thicker hair appears. Regrowth differs from person to person, and the condition can sometimes return after the hair has grown back.

Treatment depends on how many patches are present, how long they have been there and whether the hair loss is progressing. For suitable patients with a limited number of patches, steroid injections may help reduce the immune activity affecting the follicles and encourage regrowth.

Steroid medication is injected into the affected patches, allowing it to act directly around the hair follicles. It helps calm the immune response contributing to the hair loss and gives the follicles an opportunity to start producing hair again.

There is no fixed number because each patient responds differently. Several treatment sessions may be required, with appointments spaced according to our doctor’s recommendation. Progress is reviewed over time to decide whether further injections or changes to the treatment plan are needed.

Patients usually feel a series of brief pinpricks during treatment. Discomfort depends on the size, number and location of the patches, but the injections are generally completed within a short time. Our doctor will explain the process and what to expect before treatment begins.

Yes. Some patients experience one episode and do not have another, while others develop new patches months or years later. A recurrence does not necessarily mean the earlier treatment failed; it reflects the unpredictable nature of the condition.

Yes. Alopecia areata can affect any hair-bearing area, including the beard, eyebrows and eyelashes. Patients sometimes first notice a gap in the beard or thinning in one eyebrow rather than a patch on the scalp.

Many patients first discover a bald patch during a haircut or when it is noticed by a family member. It is advisable to see a doctor after discovering a new unexplained bald patch, particularly if it is enlarging, additional patches are appearing, or there are associated scalp symptoms. An early assessment can confirm the cause and determine whether treatment or monitoring is appropriate.