Hair loss symptoms manifest themselves in a variety of ways. You might notice a:
Hair loss on your head occurs gradually
Slowly growing bald spot
Hairline receding that is becoming more visible with each passing year
Part enlargement
Ponytail that is thinner
Hair loss can occur abruptly and dramatically.
While hair loss is usually gradual, it is possible to notice:
Within 1 or 2 days, a bald patch or strip appears.
When you comb or brush your hair, clumps of hair fall out.
All (or nearly all) of your hair falls out.
Hair loss can occur in areas other than the scalp.
While most hair loss occurs on the scalp, some conditions can cause hair loss on other parts of the body. Alopecia areata is a disease that causes hair loss anywhere hair grows on the body. People with alopecia areata frequently lose hair on their scalp, but they can also lose a portion (or all) of their:
Eyebrows
Eyelashes
Beard
Hairs on the nose
Hair on the pubis
Symptoms and other signs of hair loss
While less hair is often the only sign of hair loss, some people develop symptoms and other signs. You may have hair loss along with:
Burning or stinging before sudden hair loss
- Some people who have alopecia areata experience this.
Intense itching, burning, and tenderness where you have hair loss
If these occur, it’s possible that you have an infection.
Scaly bald patches, often with sores or blisters that open and ooze pus
This often mean you have a fungal infection on your scalp.
Redness, swelling, and sores that may itch and leak pus
A condition called folliculitis decalvans can cause this.
Scaly patches of psoriasis on your scalp
Most people who have psoriasis get it on their scalp at some time, and this can cause temporary hair loss.
The signs and symptoms that you develop depend on what’s causing your hair loss.