Hair loss can manifest itself in a variety of ways. It’s possible you’ll notice that:

  • The hair on your head is gradually thinning
  • A bald patch is getting larger
  • With each passing year, a receding hairline becomes more obvious.
  • The parting of your hair is gradually widening
  • Your ponytail is thinner

Millions of people experience these hair loss symptoms, which usually come gradually. These symptoms might be subtle, so you may go months or years without seeing hair loss.

While many persons with hair loss exhibit one or more of these symptoms, hair loss can also manifest itself in other ways.

Aside from your scalp, hair loss can occur elsewhere.

While hair loss is most commonly associated with the scalp, certain disorders can result in hair loss on other parts of the body. Alopecia areata is a disorder that causes hair loss in any area that hair grows on the body. Alopecia areata often affects the scalp, but it can cause hair loss of the:

  • Eyebrows
  • Eyelashes
  • Beard
  • Nose hairs
  • Pubic hair

Alopecia areata causes some people to lose hair on their body. This condition is then called the Alopecia universalis condition.

Another illness that causes hair loss on the scalp and elsewhere is frontal fibrosing alopecia. Some people lose their brows, eyelashes, and hair on other parts of their bodies.

It’s also possible your head hair is spared while hair loss occurs elsewhere. Wearing tight clothing, shoes, or socks can promote hair loss in areas where there is constant rubbing.

Symptoms and other signs of hair loss

While thinning hair is generally the only indication of hair loss, some people experience additional symptoms as well. You may experience hair loss in addition to:

  • Burning or stinging (more common in alopecia areata).
  • Intense itching, burning, or tenderness (may indicate an infection).
  • Scaly bald patches, typically with open sores or blisters that exude pus (may be the signs of a fungal infection on the scalp).
  • Swelling, redness and ulcers that may itch and leak pus (may indicate Folliculitis decalvans).
  • Scaly psoriasis patches on your scalp. Most people with psoriasis develop it on their scalp at some point, which can result in temporary hair loss.

The signs and symptoms you experience are determined by the cause of your hair loss.

Source: Mayo Clinic