Differential Diagnosis for Patchy Hair Loss with Itching and Pain
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Alopecia areata: This condition is characterized by patchy hair loss, often accompanied by itching and pain. It is an autoimmune disease that affects the hair follicles, leading to hair loss.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Tinea capitis (ringworm of the scalp): A fungal infection that causes patchy hair loss, itching, and pain. It is more common in children but can occur in adults as well.
- Psoriasis: An autoimmune condition that can cause patchy hair loss, itching, and pain due to inflammation of the scalp.
- Seborrheic dermatitis: A skin condition that causes itching, flaking, and patchy hair loss, particularly on the scalp.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Lupus: A systemic autoimmune disease that can cause patchy hair loss, itching, and pain, along with other symptoms such as joint pain and fever. If left untreated, lupus can lead to serious complications.
- Sarcoidosis: A condition that can cause patchy hair loss, itching, and pain, as well as other symptoms such as lung problems and skin lesions. If left untreated, sarcoidosis can lead to serious complications, including organ damage.
- Rare diagnoses
- Lichen planopilaris: A rare autoimmune condition that causes patchy hair loss, itching, and pain due to inflammation of the hair follicles.
- Discoid lupus erythematosus: A rare condition that causes patchy hair loss, itching, and pain, along with skin lesions and scarring.
- Kerion: A rare complication of tinea capitis that causes a painful, inflamed mass on the scalp, leading to patchy hair loss and itching.