Hair loss after hit to head? (Photo)

Question

Hi, I recently was hit on accident on the top of my head by my trunk door of the car. I noticed there was a bald spot a few days after I got hit there. Will this cause permanent hair loss or will it grow back, and how do I heal it?

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

Hello, and thank you for your question. It’s understandable to be concerned about hair loss following a head injury. Here are some insights into your situation:

Trauma-Induced Hair Loss: Hair loss following a head injury can occur due to trauma to the hair follicles. This type of hair loss is usually temporary and is known as "traumatic alopecia."

Healing Process: The scalp is highly vascular, which generally promotes good healing. If the injury was minor and there is no significant scarring, the hair is likely to grow back as the scalp heals.

Signs of Permanent Damage: If the injury caused a deep wound or significant scarring, there might be a risk of permanent hair loss in that area. However, this is less common with minor injuries.

Care and Treatment: To aid the healing process, keep the area clean and avoid any further trauma. Topical treatments, such as mild antiseptics or antibiotic ointments, can help prevent infection. If there is inflammation, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications might be beneficial.

When to See a Doctor: If you notice persistent baldness, signs of infection (redness, swelling, pus), or if the area is not healing as expected, it’s important to consult with a dermatologist or healthcare provider for a thorough evaluation and appropriate treatment.

In most cases, hair should regrow once the scalp heals. Monitoring the area and maintaining good scalp hygiene will support the natural healing process.

Warm regards,

Viktoryia Kazlouskaya, MD · Answer

This should be evaluated by a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in hair loss. While it could be due to an injury, a significant one with bleeding would be expected. Certain conditions, like discoid lupus, can present similarly, and sometimes a biopsy is necessary for accurate diagnosis.

Ross Kopelman, DO · Answer

In cases where a hit to the head causes a bald spot, it’s usually due to a condition called traumatic alopecia, which happens when hair follicles are temporarily shocked or damaged from the impact. Most of the time, this type of hair loss isn’t permanent, and the hair will grow back once the area heals. However, it’s important to give it time and avoid further irritation to the spot.
To promote healing, you can gently clean the area and keep it free from infection. If there’s swelling or bruising, applying cold compresses and using anti-inflammatory medications can help. In the meantime, keep an eye on the area&mdash;if you notice any scarring or the spot doesn’t improve after a few months, it might be a good idea to explore treatments like PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) or other therapies to stimulate hair regrowth. This is a small area of your scar where I think we can also explore a small hair transplant into that area if hair does not grow back.

Jacquelline Leva, DO · Answer

If there is no scarring, And do you feel well? No other extreme stressors search as emotional or physical stress Then hair will grow back from 4-6 months. Otherwise, if you're noticing current hair shedding, you may be suffering from something called telogen effluvium Which resolves within 4-6 months of time

Hair loss after hit to head? (Photo)

Answers (4)

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