What could cause bald spots to appear on the head?

Bald spots on the head can happen for a few reasons. One cause is alopecia areata, a condition where the body's immune system attacks hair follicles, leading to sudden hair loss in patches. This can happen to anyone, but it often starts in childhood. Another condition that can mimic this is trichostasis spinulosa, where tiny hair shafts get trapped in the hair follicles, sometimes creating the appearance of bald spots. This is less common but can be mistaken for alopecia.

In children, other common causes of bald spots include tinea capitis, a fungal infection of the scalp, and traction alopecia, which occurs when hair is pulled too tightly. Understanding the exact cause is important for treatment, so if you're experiencing unexplained hair loss or bald spots, you can check your symptoms with Ubie's free AI-powered symptom checker to help identify potential causes before consulting with a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis.