Bald Spots in Women Causes

Bald spots in women can be caused by several factors, and it is important to know the various bald spots in women causes, in order to treat this condition effectively. The most important causes of bald spots in women are described in this article.

Hair loss in women rarely results in bald spots or patches. But still, it is not impossible for women to get bald spots due to some underlying conditions. Usually, hair loss in women causes overall thinning of hair on the scalp. But occasionally, they too can develop bald spots like men. So, what are the prominent bald spots in women causes? Let’s find out these causes in the following paragraphs of this article.

Bald Spots in Women Causes

There can be a number of causes of bald spots in women. More commonly, women during and after menopause are more likely to experience excessive hair loss on the scalp, but develop coarse hair on other parts of the body, especially on the face. Below here are some of the most common reasons for bald spots in women.

Androgenic Alopecia

Both men and women can experience androgenic alopecia, also known as male pattern baldness, which can cause excessive hair thinning and bald patches mainly on the top and sides of the scalp. Androgenic alopecia is caused due to the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone or DHT. Some hair follicles can become so sensitive to DHT that DHT can cause the hair follicles to shrink.

Androgenic alopecia can be genetic or it can affect women who have high levels of circulating androgen due to some underlying conditions. It has been observed that the most common causes of male pattern baldness in women are, polycystic ovarian syndrome, perimenopause and menopause, pregnancy and use of birth control pills, especially those with high androgen index.

Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that can affect both men and women equally and cause spot baldness. Alopecia areata is characterized by the appearance of sudden bald spots in women, which are usually round, but can take any other shape as well. Along with causing scalp hair loss, alopecia areata can affect the hair on other parts of the body. In this disease, the hair follicles are mistakenly attacked by the body’s own immune system. Most often, alopecia areata causes hair loss temporarily, and so, hair growth can resume with or without treatment.

Telogen Effluvium

One of the most common bald spots in women causes is telogen effluvium. This condition is usually associated with shock or trauma and high level of stress, which can cause the hair follicles to go into the resting state or disrupt the normal cycle of hair growth. Some of the most common factors that can cause telogen effluvium are, major surgery, excessive stress, child birth, severe infection, thyroid problems and malnutrition. However, hair lost due to telogen effluvium usually returns within a period of two to three months from the occurrence of the stressful event.

Fungal Infection

Fungal infection could be another possible cause of bald patches or spots in women. Fungus like, ringworm can affect the scalp and cause hair loss in patches. The bald spots caused by fungal infection appear red and scaly, and the affected area can be itchy. Hair growth on the affected area can resume, once the infection is cured with appropriate treatment.

Other Causes of Bald Spots in Women

Apart from the above mentioned reasons for bald spots, some other possible causes of excessive female hair loss and bald patches in women are, hair braiding or wearing tight hairstyles, thyroid diseases like, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, autoimmune conditions like, systemic lupus erythematosus and Addison’s disease, chemotherapy and radiation treatment, and use of certain medications, especially thyroid medications and excessive vitamin A.

Treatment for Bald Spots in Women

Excessive hair loss and bald patches can be treated only after ascertaining the underlying conditions. If androgenic alopecia is the reason behind those bald patches, then it can be treated with ‘minoxidil’, which is a topical preparation approved by the FDA for the treatment of androgenic alopecia in women. Some other medications and corticosteroids can also be recommended by the physicians after evaluating the condition. Alopecia areata can be treated with steroid injections and creams, clobetasol or fluocinonide, minoxidil and cyclosporine. On the other hand bald spots caused by fungal infection would require appropriate anti-fungal medications. Therefore, treatment for female baldness can vary considerably depending on the underlying causes.

So, this is a brief overview of bald spots in women causes and treatment. Excessive hair loss often indicates there is something wrong with your body. Therefore, if you experience too much of hair thinning and bald spots, then be sure to consult your physician as soon as possible, and follow his or her advice regarding the use of medications. At the same time, make sure that you follow a balanced diet, drink plenty of water, reduce the level of stress and exercise regularly.