What causes alopecia areata on the head?

Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
Updated on January 26, 2025
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Spots of baldness on the head can be associated with many reasons, usually due to excessive mental stress. Being in a state of tension and anxiety for a long period can easily lead to the occurrence of bald spots. Bald spots also have a certain relationship with genetic factors, generally related to family genetics. Frequent perming, hair dyeing, and other actions that damage hair quality can also lead to bald spots. Additionally, some endocrine disorders, immune factors, and infections such as fungi and bacteria, such as tinea capitis or folliculitis, can also cause bald spots. Therefore, if bald spots occur, it is recommended to promptly visit a dermatology department at a formal hospital for diagnosis and treatment. After the doctor identifies the specific cause, an appropriate treatment plan can be implemented, which may include oral cysteine tablets or choosing compound glycyrrhizin capsules and traditional Chinese medicine treatments.

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Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
1min 9sec home-news-image

What causes alopecia areata on the head?

Spots of baldness on the head can be associated with many reasons, usually due to excessive mental stress. Being in a state of tension and anxiety for a long period can easily lead to the occurrence of bald spots. Bald spots also have a certain relationship with genetic factors, generally related to family genetics. Frequent perming, hair dyeing, and other actions that damage hair quality can also lead to bald spots. Additionally, some endocrine disorders, immune factors, and infections such as fungi and bacteria, such as tinea capitis or folliculitis, can also cause bald spots. Therefore, if bald spots occur, it is recommended to promptly visit a dermatology department at a formal hospital for diagnosis and treatment. After the doctor identifies the specific cause, an appropriate treatment plan can be implemented, which may include oral cysteine tablets or choosing compound glycyrrhizin capsules and traditional Chinese medicine treatments.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
52sec home-news-image

Can alopecia areata heal itself?

For most people, alopecia areata can gradually heal on its own initially through dietary adjustments or personal lifestyle attention. However, if the condition does not improve after three months or six months, formal medical treatment is necessary. It is important to avoid spicy and highly seasoned foods, maintain a regular schedule, and try to avoid staying up late, feeling anxious, tense, or in a bad mood. Also, avoid irritating the scalp with hair dyeing or perming. Formal treatment is essential, otherwise the condition may worsen, potentially leading to complete hair loss, including loss of eyebrows, armpit hair, and pubic hair. It is crucial to adhere to a regulated diet and lifestyle habits, strengthen exercise, and enhance immunity.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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What are the causes of alopecia areata?

The causes of alopecia areata are numerous, and the contributing factors may vary from person to person. Decreased immunity, frequent staying up late, anxiety, tension, poor mood, or long-term drinking and smoking, consuming spicy or strongly flavored foods, and lack of vitamins and trace elements, as well as local injuries, or frequent occurrences of folliculitis, abscesses, and cysts are all primary factors. Only a small number of cases may be related to genetics. Once diagnosed, it is essential to seek treatment from reputable medical institutions. Follicular tests can also be conducted to check for atrophy or necrosis. Generally, with persistent treatment, it is entirely curable.

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Written by Liu Jing
Dermatology
1min 6sec home-news-image

How long does it generally take for a small patch of alopecia areata to recover?

Alopecia areata, commonly known as "ghost shearing", is often related to immune factors in its causes and mechanism of onset. It is important to rest and provide symptomatic treatment with immune modulation. Generally, recovery can be expected within about a month. Oral medications such as cysteine tablets, folic acid tablets, vitamin B6 tablets, and pimecrolimus granules can be taken. In the area affected by alopecia areata, topical application of dermatan sulfate polysaccharide cream, tacrolimus ointment, combined with the use of minoxidil solution is recommended to promote local circulation and thereby facilitate hair regrowth. Additionally, other physical therapy measures can be supportive, including traditional Chinese medicine treatments such as plum-blossom needle tapping and local intense pulsed light therapy. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
1min 9sec home-news-image

What is the cause of itchy scalp with alopecia areata?

The occurrence of itchy alopecia areata scalp is primarily related to the use of certain medications. Frequent use of drugs to treat alopecia areata can lead to allergic reactions, which may also cause scalp itching. Additionally, in the early stages of alopecia areata recovery, hair growth requires a significant supply of nutrients, and rapid local blood circulation can also lead to localized scalp itching. The itchy scalp associated with alopecia areata can also be related to irregular lifestyle, long-term mental tension, frequent staying up late, and deficiencies in vitamins and trace elements, which can lead to endocrine disorders. The itching associated with alopecia areata might also result from not maintaining cleanliness and hygiene of the scalp, using shampoos or conditioners with strong irritants, frequent exposure to excessive ultraviolet rays, and using excessively hot water when washing hair.