Alopecia areata, ringworm, and chemotherapy are among the most common causes of a bald spot or patch in the beard. Treatment can vary depending on the underlying cause of a bald patch in the beard.

Recovery time will depend on the cause, but a person may choose to remove their beard until it regrows.

This article explores these causes in more detail, explains how to treat beard hair loss, and discusses when a person should speak with a doctor.

A note about sex and gender

Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Learn more.

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Several factors can lead to bald spots developing in a person’s beard. Some of the most common causes include:

Alopecia areata

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that causes hair loss. It is not transmissible. Most peopleTrusted Source develop the condition as teenagers or young adults, but it can affect people at any age.

Alopecia areata occurs when the body’s natural defense, the immune system, attacks the hair follicles and causes the hair to fall out.

It tends to lead to round or oval bald patches on the scalp, but it can affect any part of the body. When it involves the beard, doctors call it alopecia barbae.

Ringworm

Fungi cause ringworm, which is a common skin infection. It can affect any part of the body. When it affects the beard, it is known as tinea barbae.

Symptoms tend to develop around 4 to 14 daysTrusted Source after the person has encountered the fungus. Some common sourcesTrusted Source of infection include:

  • A person with ringworm: It is important for anyone with a ringworm infection not to share clothes, towels, hairbrushes, or any other personal items.
  • An animal with ringworm: Animals such as cats, dogs, cows, goats, pigs, and horses can transmit ringworm to humans.
  • The environment: The fungi that cause ringworm thrive in damp areas such as locker rooms and public showers.

Ringworm of the beard, or tinea barbae, is not common. It most oftenTrusted Source occurs in warm and humid climates.

Tinea barbae is most common in men. However, it may affect women with dark, coarse hair on their face and neck.

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy

Chemotherapy is one of the most common treatments for cancer. It frequently leads to hair loss, which doctors call chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA). It can affect any part of the body, including the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, and beard.

The extent of the hair loss depends on:

  • the drug or combination of drugs that the healthcare professionals have prescribed
  • the dosage
  • the way the person’s body reacts to the drug or drugs

Not everyone who undergoes chemotherapy will lose their hair. Some people experience mild shedding that is hardly noticeable, while others can lose their hair or beard entirely.

Radiotherapy is another common cancer treatment that may lead to hair loss. However, in radiotherapy, the hair loss is more localizedTrusted Source to the part of the body receiving treatment.

Therefore, people receiving radiotherapy to treat head and neck cancer may experience hair loss in their beards.

Bald patches in the beard can develop suddenly or over time and may also vary in size. The cause of hair loss in the beard may also lead to additional symptoms.

The following sections discuss some other symptoms that each condition may cause.

Alopecia areata

Some people with alopecia areata may also developTrusted Source indents on the fingernails. There are not usually any other symptoms, though some people say that the skin becomes itchy or inflamed before the hair falls out.

However, research from 2019 also highlights that alopecia areata is associated with other autoimmune diseases, which can cause a range of symptoms.

Ringworm

The symptomsTrusted Source of a ringworm infection include:

  • a circular rash that looks like rings
  • itchy skin
  • skin discoloration
  • scaly or cracked skin
  • hair loss

The symptoms of tinae barbae also include scaly, itchy, red, or discolored spots, which often developTrusted Source on the cheeks, chin, and top of the neck. These spots might be crusty or contain pus.

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy

There are usually no additional symptoms of CIA. Before treatment begins, it is not possible to know whether chemotherapy or radiotherapy will cause hair loss or thinning.

A person may want to discuss the likelihoodTrusted Source of hair loss with their doctor before their treatment begins.

A healthcare professional will usually be able to diagnose the cause of a bald patch in the beard with a quick examination.

The following sections will discuss the possible diagnosis process for each condition.

Alopecia areata

A doctor or dermatologist can usually diagnose alopecia barbae by examiningTrusted Source a person’s symptoms.

For example, they may look at the degree of hair loss and examine some samples of hair under a microscope. This will usually be quick and straightforward.

They may also perform a skin biopsy or blood test to rule out an infection or underlying medical condition, such as other autoimmune conditions.

Ringworm

A doctor will diagnoseTrusted Source ringworm by looking at the skin. They may also scrape off a sample of skin to study under a microscope.

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy

Hair loss is a common side effect of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but it does not affect everyone who undergoes these treatments.

The hair may begin to fall out within days or weeksTrusted Source of starting chemotherapy.

Hair typically starts to fall out around 2 to 3 weeks after starting radiation therapy.

After diagnosing the cause of a bald patch in the beard, a doctor may be able to suggest medications to help treat the hair loss.

In some cases, people may wish to try these medications or home remedies. In other situations, they may wish to prepare for hair loss by shaving their beards.

The following sections discuss the treatment options for each condition.

Alopecia areata

A doctor may prescribe corticosteroid creams to people with mild cases of alopecia.

In more severe cases, they may recommend Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, corticosteroid injections, or immunosuppressants.

Ringworm

People can use over-the-counter antifungal creams, powders, or ointments to treat mild to moderate cases of ringworm. Products such as clotrimazole, miconazole, and terbinafine can usually clear the infection within 2 to 4 weeksTrusted Source.

A doctor may prescribe a stronger antifungal medication if necessary. Such products are usually in the form of tablets. They can take around 1 to 3 months to clear the infection.

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy

Some people decide to shaveTrusted Source their beard off before starting chemotherapy or radiation treatment. This can be less traumatic than watching it fall out.

There is not much evidence to support the effectiveness of home remedies to treat hair loss in the beard area. However, none of these remedies are likely to cause harm unless a person has an allergy, so they may be worth considering.

Some home remedies for hair loss include gently rubbing any of the following into the beard area:

  • garlic juice
  • onion juice
  • cooled green tea
  • aloe vera
  • castor, coconut, or almond oil
  • lavender, rosemary, or geranium oil
  • fish oil

Some people may take zinc or biotin tablets, as well as hair growth supplements. Others may turn to alternative treatments, such as acupuncture or aromatherapy. However, people should consult a doctor before trying any of these home remedy options.

The time required for the hair to recover will vary from person to person. It will also depend on the cause of the hair loss and the treatment received.

Alopecia areata

In general, people who have one or two bald patches make a full recovery. The hair tends to grow back within 1 year, even without treatment.

However, the bald patches might come back. Additionally, many people with extensive alopecia find that their hair does not grow back, even with treatment.

Ringworm

As mentioned, most treatment optionsTrusted Source can usually clear the infection within 2 to 4 weeks. However, in some cases, it may take up to 1 to 3 months.

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy

Usually, a person’s hair begins regrowing a few months after completing cancer treatment. When it does, the hair may be thinner and a different color and texture. However, this difference is usually temporary.

In most cases, a person’s hair will grow backTrusted Source within 2 to 3 months of chemotherapy ending and 3 to 6 months of radiotherapy ending.

If a person feels that the bald patch is affecting their quality of life, they may wish to consider consulting a doctor. They may be able to assess the severity of the symptoms, determine the potential cause, and suggest some appropriate treatment options.

Alopecia areata

Anyone who suspects they have alopecia areata should speak with a doctor. Several treatments are available, but they are not all effective for everyone.

Ringworm

If the infection has not resolved within 2 to 4 weeksTrusted Source, a person should seek medical help.

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy

In some people, chemotherapy and radiotherapy may cause permanentTrusted Source hair loss. However, this is usually rare.

If worried, a person can speak with their doctor about how to manage hair loss during and after chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Several conditions can cause bald patches in the beard. These include alopecia areata, ringworm infections, and chemotherapy treatment.

In most cases, beard hair loss is not permanent. Most people with alopecia areata will make a full recovery, though the hair loss may come back with time.

A ringworm infection is treatable using over-the-counter products, though a person may need to consult a doctor if it does not clear within a few weeks.

CIA is usually temporary. The hair tends to grow back after chemotherapy or radiation therapy has finished, though it might differ in color and texture for up to 1 year.