Your Health Questions
Answered by Professionals

People with alopecia areata are more likely to develop other autoimmune conditions: about 10–25% (up to 28% in some studies) will develop another autoimmune disease versus roughly 3–5% in the general population, most commonly autoimmune thyroid disease and vitiligo. There are several factors to consider—genetics, immune dysregulation, and shared triggers—so see below for key warning symptoms, recommended screening (e.g., thyroid tests), and next steps to discuss with your doctor.

There are specific considerations: overall cancer risk with alopecia areata isn’t higher than average, but studies show a small increase in thyroid cancer (especially in women) and a modest, less consistent uptick in non-Hodgkin lymphoma; absolute risks remain low. No clear links have been found with breast, lung, colon, prostate, or skin cancers. You usually don’t need extra screening beyond standard guidelines, but know the warning signs and discuss personal/family history with your doctor—see the important details below to guide next steps.

Yes, alopecia areata can affect beards differently than scalp hair: beard follicles are more androgen sensitive and have a shorter growth phase, so facial patches may appear and regrow unpredictably, look different on exam (e.g., broken hairs close to the skin), and carry unique psychosocial impacts. Evaluation and treatment can also differ (e.g., steroid injections are often preferred on the face and topical immunotherapy is used less), and there are important diagnostic clues and prognosis considerations—see the complete details below to understand options and the right next steps.

Yes—alopecia areata can affect nails even when hair loss is mild; up to 30–50% of people develop nail changes like pitting, Beau’s lines, trachyonychia, onycholysis, or discoloration due to autoimmune attack on the nail matrix. There are several factors to consider, including look‑alike conditions (psoriasis, fungus, nutritional deficiencies) and when to seek care—see below for specific signs, diagnostic tips, and treatment options that could shape your next steps.

Yes—individual alopecia areata patches can expand and connect into larger areas; while most people have only a few small patches that regrow, about 10–20% see coalescence and ~5% progress to extensive scalp or body hair loss. Merging is more likely with early-age onset, multiple tiny patches, nail changes, family/autoimmune history, or recent stress/illness; early dermatology care, active treatment (e.g., corticosteroids, topical immunotherapy, minoxidil, and in select cases JAK inhibitors), and regular monitoring may increase regrowth and help limit spread. There are several important factors, timelines, patterns, and red flags to consider—see below for details and guidance on next steps and when to seek urgent care.

Yes—while alopecia areata is autoimmune, emotional trauma and major life stressors can trigger episodes and, in at-risk people, contribute to a chronic or recurrent course by disrupting neuroendocrine and immune balance. There are several factors to consider (genetics, age of onset, severity, other autoimmune disease), and combining medical treatment with stress-management often helps; see below for mechanisms, risk factors, and practical next steps.

Yes—scalp injuries and chronic irritation (tight hairstyles/pressure, harsh chemicals or heat, burns, radiation, infections, or inflammatory skin conditions) can increase hair-loss risk, which may be reversible if addressed early or permanent if scarring destroys follicles. There are several factors and prevention steps to consider—including who’s at higher risk and when to seek care—see details below to guide your next steps.

Yes—after alopecia areata, regrown hair often starts finer, lighter, and sometimes curlier/straighter or drier, and the scalp can feel itchy, tender, dry, or more reactive; these changes usually improve over months but can occasionally persist. There are several factors and important next steps to consider (gentle care, nutrition, treatments like topical steroids or minoxidil, and red flags for seeing a doctor)—see the complete details below.

Current evidence shows alopecia areata itself does not increase overall cancer risk, and most topical treatments are not linked to cancer. There are several factors to consider—some systemic immunosuppressants (e.g., methotrexate, cyclosporine, JAK inhibitors) may carry a small increased risk in certain settings and need monitoring, and coexisting autoimmune conditions (especially thyroid disease) can affect screening needs. For guidance on safe treatment options, routine screenings, and when to seek care, see the complete details below.

Current evidence does not show that Rick Simpson Oil cures or reliably treats cancer in humans; while cannabinoids in RSO have anti-cancer activity in lab and animal studies, there are no robust clinical trials and most reported benefits are symptom relief. There are several important risks and caveats—including variable dosing and purity, psychoactive effects, liver strain, and serious drug interactions—so it should never replace proven treatments; discuss any use with your oncologist. See the complete details below to understand potential benefits, risks, quality-control steps, and how these factors could affect your next steps.

Current evidence shows that neither the severity nor the duration of alopecia areata increases cancer risk, even in extensive or long‑standing cases. The bigger consideration is treatment: systemic steroids, immunosuppressants (like methotrexate or cyclosporine), and newer JAK inhibitors can carry small or still‑uncertain cancer risks with long‑term use. There are several factors to consider—see below for details on which medicines matter, what monitoring and screenings are recommended, and how to discuss benefits versus risks with your clinician.

At-home relief for bloodshot eyes: use lubricating (preservative‑free) artificial tears, apply a cold compress, take 20‑20‑20 screen breaks, remove contacts temporarily, hydrate, sleep enough, and avoid smoke/allergens. There are several factors and important red flags to consider—seek urgent care for pain, vision changes, light sensitivity, thick discharge, injury, or redness beyond 1–2 weeks; see the complete guidance below for details, prevention tips, and the right next steps.

You can smooth rough, bumpy skin at home with gentle chemical exfoliation (5–12% lactic acid or 1–2% salicylic acid), rich daily moisturizers that break down plugs and repair the barrier (urea 10–20%, ceramides, hyaluronic/glycerin), short lukewarm showers, and lifestyle steps like a humidifier, SPF, and soft fabrics; OTC options such as ammonium lactate 12% or urea creams often help—patch test and avoid layering multiple acids. There are several factors to consider, and when to escalate matters: if there’s no improvement after 6–8 weeks or you notice redness, pain, pus, spreading rash, severe itch, or persistent dark marks, talk to a clinician—see complete step-by-step guidance, product examples, and safety tips below.

You can get care without insurance through community health centers and free/sliding‑scale clinics, low‑cost retail or urgent care clinics, and telehealth, reserving the ER for true emergencies. You can also ask for self‑pay discounts, set up payment plans, and check hospital charity care, Medicaid/CHIP, teaching hospitals, and prescription‑assistance programs. There are several factors to consider—see the complete details below to choose the safest, most affordable next step.

There are several factors to consider: active disease shows exclamation-point hairs, black/yellow dots, broken hairs, and enlarging or new patches, while stability is suggested by fine vellus then darker terminal regrowth, no new/expanding areas, and fewer abnormal dots/hairs. For how to track this (photos, measurements, symptom diary, trichoscopy), key prognostic clues (age, nail changes, extent), when to see a doctor, and how treatment choices differ by phase, see the complete details below.

Normal shedding vs. alopecia recurrence: shedding is typically 50–100 hairs/day lost evenly as full strands (often after a stressor and improving within months), while recurrence shows new patchy bald spots, short tapered “exclamation-mark” or broken hairs, possible nail pitting/itching, and more hairs pulled from one area. There are several factors to consider—pattern, hair-shaft look, pull test results, timeline, and red flags for seeing a dermatologist—see below for the complete guidance and next steps that could affect your care.

Most cases last: viral 7–14 days (sometimes up to 21), bacterial 2–5 days to improve with antibiotics or 7–14 days without, and allergic as long as you’re exposed to the trigger. There are several factors that can change this timeline—including treatment, hygiene, and your overall health—and important red flags for when to seek care; see the complete details below to guide your next steps.

Most people with flu are contagious from about 1 day before symptoms start through roughly 5–7 days after, with peak spread during days 1–3; children and people with weakened immunity may remain contagious for 10–14 days. There are several factors that can change this window (age, immune status, strain, and early antivirals) and important guidance on isolation, reducing spread, and when to seek care—see the complete details below.

For most new bald spots, you can monitor for up to 4–6 weeks if the patch is small, smooth, and symptom‑free, reassessing every 2–4 weeks. Seek care sooner if it’s spreading or multiplying, or if you notice itching, pain, scaling, redness/crusting/oozing, fever or swollen nodes, nail changes, eyebrow/eyelash involvement, or an autoimmune history. There are several factors to consider—see the complete guidance below for the full red‑flag list, what to expect at the visit, and treatments that could change your next steps.

There are several factors to consider—most evidence shows the fluid commonly called “squirt” is often a diluted mix of urine from the bladder plus smaller amounts of Skene’s-gland secretions, not purely urine. It’s a normal variant of sexual response, but watch for pain, burning, blood, foul odor, or unusual color/texture, which warrant evaluation. See below for how it happens, tips to manage or minimize it, and clear guidance on when to seek care.

There are several factors to consider: most healthy adults improve within about 3 days with fluids, bland foods, and OTC options, but if you’re at the 3-day mark and not improving—or you have red flags like dehydration (dizziness/low urine), severe belly pain, fever >102°F/39°C, blood or black stools, inability to keep fluids down, very frequent watery stools, or recent antibiotics—you should see a doctor now. Higher-risk people (age 65+, pregnant, immunocompromised, with chronic conditions, and especially anyone with liver cirrhosis) should seek earlier care, with cirrhosis needing evaluation within 24 hours. See details below for the full list of warning signs, practical home-care steps, and how to decide between urgent care and watchful waiting.

Childhood alopecia areata itself is not linked to a higher cancer risk later in life, as current studies don’t show increased overall malignancy rates. There are several factors to consider—especially any past systemic treatments (steroids, methotrexate/cyclosporine, JAK inhibitors) and your family history and lifestyle—which can affect monitoring and screening; see the details below to understand important nuances and the best next steps to discuss with your doctor.

Cod fish is good for you: a lean, low-calorie source of high-quality protein, vitamin B12, selenium, iodine, and omega-3s that can support heart, metabolic/blood sugar, liver, brain health, and weight management when prepared healthfully. There are several factors to consider—including low but relevant mercury guidance (especially for pregnancy/children), possible fish allergy, sustainability choices, and avoiding deep-fried preparations—see the complete details below to guide your next steps.

Mild halos and glare around headlights at night are common due to pupil dilation and normal light scattering, and often improve with clean lenses, anti‑reflective coatings, and proper headlight care. However, persistent or worsening symptoms—especially with blurred vision, pain, or sudden onset—can signal issues like uncorrected refractive error, dry eye, early cataracts, corneal problems, medication effects, or rare emergencies such as acute angle‑closure glaucoma. There are several factors to consider—see below for detailed causes, practical ways to reduce symptoms, and when to seek professional care.

Yes—tonsillitis is contagious, whether viral or bacterial, spreading through respiratory droplets, close contact, and contaminated surfaces. It’s most contagious in the first 2–3 days; viral cases remain contagious until the fever resolves, and strep usually stops being contagious 24 hours after starting antibiotics. There are several factors to consider for prevention, testing, treatment, and when to seek care—see the complete guidance below to understand your next steps.

No—alopecia areata isn’t associated with an increased cancer risk, so extra or specialized cancer screening isn’t recommended; follow the standard age-, sex-, and risk-based screenings used for the general population. There are several factors to consider that could change your screening plan (family history, smoking history, symptoms, or other medical conditions)—see the complete guidance and recommended intervals below. If your risks or symptoms change, discuss personalized screening with your clinician.

Common, preventable tongue issues include a coated/white tongue, black hairy tongue, oral thrush, geographic tongue flares, canker sores/ulcers, fissured tongue irritation, traumatic burns or bites, and soreness from vitamin deficiencies or product/food allergies. Simple habits—daily tongue cleaning and good oral hygiene, staying hydrated, quitting tobacco, moderating coffee/alcohol, proper denture and inhaler care, eating a balanced diet, and fixing sharp dental edges—reduce risk; there are several factors to consider, so see below for specific triggers, prevention steps, and red flags that should prompt medical or dental care.

Top cough home-remedy hacks include honey, ginger or thyme tea, steam inhalation, salt-water gargles, turmeric (golden) milk, marshmallow root, staying well hydrated, running a cool-mist humidifier, and using menthol chest rubs or warm compresses—paired with rest, head elevation, and avoiding irritants. There are several factors to consider (dry vs wet cough, safety notes like no honey for infants, and red flags such as high fever, shortness of breath, blood, or a cough lasting more than 3 weeks); for full instructions and when to seek care, see below.

For quick home relief, try gentle vulvar hygiene (plain water, no douching), warm sitz baths or cold compresses, probiotic yogurt/oral probiotics, and soothing topicals like coconut oil or pure aloe (use tea tree or apple cider vinegar only well-diluted); OTC antifungal creams may help if a simple yeast infection is likely. There are several factors to consider—identify triggers (irritants, tight clothing), limit sugar, stop anything that stings, and seek care if symptoms last over 7 days or include abnormal discharge, sores, fever, pain, or swelling; full step-by-step instructions, precautions, and next-step guidance are below.

Cloves are a nutrient-dense spice (notably high in manganese) packed with eugenol and other antioxidants, offering anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits that support oral and digestive health, with early research suggesting possible blood sugar and liver-protective effects. There are several factors to consider—including safe amounts, potential side effects, and medication interactions (e.g., blood thinners, diabetes drugs)—so see the complete details below to inform your next steps.