What is a pea sized bald spot on the head?

Author: Turner Botsford  |  Last update: Monday, November 10, 2025

Alopecia areata often starts suddenly with one or more round, smooth bald patches on the scalp. It is possible for all the hair on the head to fall out, but this isn't common. Often, hair grows back within several months, even without treatment.

Why do I have a random small bald spot on my head?

Hair loss (alopecia) can affect just your scalp or your entire body, and it can be temporary or permanent. It can be the result of heredity, hormonal changes, medical conditions or a normal part of aging. Anyone can lose hair on their head, but it's more common in men.

Why do I have a quarter size bald spot on my head?

While hair can be lost from any part of the body, alopecia areata usually affects the head and face. Hair typically falls out in small, round patches about the size of a quarter, but in some cases, hair loss is more extensive. Most people with the disease are healthy and have no other symptoms.

Is it OK to have a small bald spot?

Make an appointment to see your doctor if: you suddenly develop a bald spot on your scalp. your hair stylist tells you that your hair is thinning, or that you have small bald areas.

How to treat a small bald spot on the scalp?

The most common options include:
  1. Minoxidil (Rogaine). Over-the-counter (nonprescription) minoxidil comes in liquid, foam and shampoo forms. ...
  2. Finasteride (Propecia). This is a prescription drug for men. ...
  3. Other medications. Other oral options include spironolactone (Carospir, Aldactone) and oral dutasteride (Avodart).

What does small skin colored lump on the scalp indicate? - Dr. Urmila Nischal

Is it possible to regrow hair on a bald spot?

Yes, hair can grow back. Some people who lose their hair, regrow it, and never have another episode. This is more common when someone has a few patches of hair loss. More often, people lose their hair, only to see it regrow and fall out again.

Why do I have a small spot on my scalp?

Clogged hair follicles cause pimples on your scalp (scalp acne). Your hair follicles are the canals where your hair grows out of your skin. They could be clogged due to: A buildup of hair products like shampoo, hair gel or hairspray.

Can stress cause a small bald spot?

Yes, stress and hair loss can be related. Three types of hair loss can be associated with high stress levels: Telogen effluvium. In telogen effluvium (TEL-o-jun uh-FLOO-vee-um), significant stress pushes large numbers of hair follicles into a resting phase.

How long does it take for a small bald spot to grow back?

Quite often the bald patch or patches regrow hair within a few months. If hair grows back, it may not have its usual colour at first and look grey or white for a while. The usual colour eventually returns after several months. Sometimes one or more bald patches develop a few weeks after the first one.

Is vitamin D hair loss reversible?

There is not enough research to determine whether increasing vitamin D levels can restore hair loss. There are also numerous possible causes of hair loss, and a person may need to address the underlying issue. However, as vitamin D plays a role in hair growth, getting enough vitamin D may be beneficial for hair health.

What is a coin sized bald spot?

The main symptom of alopecia areata is hair loss that occurs in small, round patches on your head. This leaves smooth, peach-colored areas of scalp exposed. A mild case of alopecia areata starts with one to two coin-size hairless patches. In many instances, it stops after that.

What does hair loss from stress look like?

No Visible Pattern. With stress-related shedding, hair falls out evenly all over your scalp instead of in a defined pattern. You'll likely notice more hairs than usual coming out while shampooing, combing, or on your pillow, clothing, and bathroom floor.

What autoimmune diseases are linked to alopecia?

Alopecia areata frequently occurs in association with other autoimmune disorders such as vitiligo, lichen planus, morphea, lichen sclerosus et atrophicus, pemphigus foliaceus, atopic dermatitis, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, hypothyroidism, endemic goiter, Addison's disease, pernicious anemia, lupus erythematosus, diabetes ...

Why is my scalp tingling in one spot?

What can cause a tingling sensation on the scalp? Many factors can cause paresthesia — a tingling, prickling, or pins-and-needles sensation — on the scalp, including anxiety, problems with the nerves, and skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema. In most cases, tingling on the scalp is temporary.

What is the trigger of alopecia areata?

Alopecia areata can be triggered by environmental factors like stress, injury, or illness. But in many cases, there is no clear answer as to why someone develops alopecia areata.

Can you fix a small bald spot?

For many causes of bald spots, a topical treatment called minoxidil may reduce progressive hair loss and promote regrowth in the affected area. You can purchase over-the-counter minoxidil in liquid solution and foam forms, which are available for men and women in different concentrations.

Why do I suddenly have a random bald spot on my head?

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that causes patchy hair loss anywhere on your body, but it most commonly affects the hair on the skin that covers your head (scalp). “Alopecia” is a medical term for hair loss or baldness, and “areata” means that it occurs in small, random areas.

What shampoo is good for alopecia areata?

Since inflammation plays a significant role in alopecia areata, a shampoo with tea tree oil, which has anti-inflammatory properties, may benefit your scalp [18]. One good option is Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo. It can also help with scalp problems, such as dandruff or psoriasis.

What are the vitamins for hair growth?

Key Vitamins for Hair Growth
  • Biotin. Biotin is a critical vitamin for healthy hair growth, and deficiency will lead to thinning hair. ...
  • Vitamin D. ...
  • Vitamin A. ...
  • Vitamin C. ...
  • Vitamin E. ...
  • Folic Acid. ...
  • Iron. ...
  • Magnesium.

What is a pea sized bump on the scalp?

Pilar cysts grow around hair follicles and usually appear on the scalp. They are small yellow, white, or discolored bumps that may be round or dome-shaped. They grow slowly and may disappear on their own, or a doctor can remove them. A cyst is a small fluid-filled lump that forms under the skin.

What shampoo is good for clogged hair follicles?

“For someone with a more oily scalp, scales, and clogged pores, one can start with over-the-counter Nizoral (1% ketoconazole) shampoo—or get the prescription strength 2% ketoconazole from your dermatologist,” Dr. Kobets says.

How often should you wash your hair?

Generally, he says, the range is somewhere between once a day and once a week. “If you have very fine or thin hair, you may need to wash more often, while those with thick or curly hair may need to wash less often,” says Dr Elizabeth Bahar Houshmand, a double board certified dermatologist and hair health expert.

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