Are Bald Patches in My Beard Linked to Wisdom Teeth Extraction?'

Name: 

DJ Holli

Question: Hi, I have had two lower wisdom teeth removed. This was in April 2016, well in August 2016 I have noticed patches of hair missing from my beard. Do you think this is connected and how long will it be for the hair to grow back?

Answer:  Hi, DJ. It is hard to say for definite but, whilst possible, as it sounds like you are experiencing alopecia barbae - alopecia areata of the beard - it seems unlikely the two are linked.

Alopecia barbae is an autoimmune condition that displays as rounded bald patches in the beard and can present quickly following shock or trauma. As your bald patches have taken three months to appear this is unlikely to be the cause, or at least the sole cause, unless there were on-going after effects such as tooth infection which you have not mentioned here.

Hair loss that follows around three months after a sudden shock or huge stress tends to affect the scalp only and is known as telogen effluvium. This also causes hair thinning rather than defined bald patches.

We cannot treat facial hair loss here at Belgravia so recommend you speak to your GP if you are concerned. They should be able to prescribe a steroid cream to help your condition although generally this hair will regrow naturally within 12 months. It may come back white or yellowish at first due to an initial lack of pigmentation, but this usually rectifies itself within a few growth cycles.