Beard Balding: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

• Balding beards are a common problem for men. If you’re struggling with a balding beard don’t worry – you’re not alone. 

• In this article, we’ll discuss the causes of beard balding and what you can do about it.

 

What is Beard Balding and how can I recognize it?

• Bald spots in a person's beard can be caused by a variety of factors. 

• Among the most common causes, we find:

1. Alopecia Areata of the Barbae

• Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder that results in hair loss. It is not contagious. The illness affects the majority of people when they are children.

• The disorder arises when the immune system, the body's natural defense, destroys the hair follicles, causing hair loss.

• Sompe people found a sudden bald spot in beard.

• Some patients with bald spot alopecia may also acquire fingernail indents.

• Other symptoms are uncommon, though some claim that the skin becomes irritated or red before the hair falls out.

 

2. Ringworm and tinea barbae

• Ringworm is a skin infection caused by fungi. It is known as "tinea barbae" when it affects the beard.

• Symptoms appear 4-14 days after contact with the fungus.

• Ringworm of the beard is unusual. It affects mostly men.

• Among sources of infection, we find:

• An infected person with ringworm: Anyone infected with ringworm should not share clothes, towels, hairbrushes, or any other personal belongings.

• Infected Animals: Ringworm can be transmitted to people by animals such as cats, dogs, cows, goats, pigs, and horses.

• The atmosphere: Ringworm fungus grow in wet areas such as locker rooms and public baths.

• The rash usually appears in a ring-like shape and is often mistaken for other skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis. Ringworm of the beard is most common in men who have thick beards but it can also affect women with facial hair.

 

3. Chemotherapy-induced alopecia

• Any area of the body might be affected, including the scalp, brows, eyelashes, and beard.

• The extent of hair loss is determined by the drug, the quantity of the drug, and the way the person’s body reacts to the treatment.

• Severity is variable: Some people have minor shedding that is barely perceptible, while others completely lose their hair or beard.

• This damage leads to hair loss which can be temporary or permanent depending on the individual case. There are a variety of ways to deal with chemotherapy-induced alopecia

 

Treatment Of Beard Balding

• While there is no cure for beard balding there are treatments that can help to improve the appearance of the beard and slow down the progression of the condition.

1. Treatment of Alopecia Areata of the Barbae

• Treatment for alopecia areata of the beard typically involves topical or injected corticosteroids. 

• In some cases, other treatments such as immunotherapy may be used

 

2. Treatment of tinea barbae

• To treat mild-to-moderate cases of ringworm, people can use over-the-counter antifungal creams, powders, or ointments. Clotrimazole, miconazole, and terbinafine can typically clear up the infection in 2-4 weeks. 

• If necessary, a doctor may prescribe stronger antifungal medicine. Tablets are the most common type of such drugs. It may take 1-3 months to eliminate the infection.

 

3. Chemotherapy-induced alopecia treatment

• Some people choose to shave their beards before beginning chemotherapy. This is less painful than watching it fall out.