Melanie Sykes has been praised for revealing she has been left bald by alopecia – thrusting the little-understood condition back into the spotlight.
Alopecia is best known for causing devastating hair loss across the scalp, face and body. But experts warn the earliest signs can be far more subtle than obvious bald patches.
‘The most noticeable early warning sign is excess shedding. You may notice more hair on your pillow, in the shower drain, or left over in your hairbrush than usual,’ says Robert Bradshaw, Superintendent Pharmacist at Oxford Online Pharmacy.
‘You may also notice that your natural hair parting is widening, or that your hairline is receding.
‘The sign that will catch the most attention is patchy hair loss in small areas of the scalp, or even in the eyebrows, lashes or beard.’
This was the case for Melanie, 55, who revealed in December 2025 that she had lost around half of her hair, as well as much of one eyebrow.
She later said the condition had progressed further, telling followers she had become ‘two-thirds bald’ at the start of June before deciding to give herself a buzzcut last week.
But there is another common – and little-known – warning sign that your scalp may be struggling, and it can show up at the ends of your fingers.
Melanie Sykes bravely revealed she has lost all of her hair to alopecia
‘An often-undetected sign is changes to the health of your fingernails,’ says Bradshaw.
‘You may see small dents or ridges in the nail bed, called nail pitting, which occur due to the immune system attacking the tissue under the nails and disrupting keratin production.’
More than 100,000 people in Britain are affected by alopecia, an umbrella term for several different types of hair loss.
It can cause anything from small, irregular bald patches on the scalp to complete loss of hair across the head or body.
The most common form is alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition in which the body mistakenly attacks its own hair follicles.
In mild cases, it can trigger small, round bald patches on the scalp, eyebrows or eyelashes. In more severe cases, it can progress to total scalp hair loss or even the loss of all hair across the body.
‘Genetics are a common cause, though stress, injuries and viral infections can also trigger the disease in genetically predisposed people,’ says Bradshaw.
‘It’s not uncommon for genetic autoimmune diseases to stay dormant until something triggers them.’
But not all alopecia looks the same.
Androgenetic alopecia – better known as male or female pattern baldness – usually causes gradual thinning, a receding hairline or hair loss around the crown.
‘Androgenetic alopecia is also caused by increased sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, a hormone that causes hair follicles to shrink, though stress can be a small factor in this type as well,’ says Bradshaw.
‘However, it’s important to understand that stress is just one of several triggers and factors likely at play.
‘It’s very rare for stress to be the most significant cause. There is an undeniable connection between stress and hair loss, but this connection is nuanced.’
While Ms Sykes has not publicly confirmed which type of alopecia she has, Bradshaw says any early warning signs or bald patches should be assessed by a GP to get a formal diagnosis and the right treatment.
‘Never wait to see if it’s a phase or if it will fix itself. If patches of hair loss are increasing, or there is a significant coin-sized bald spot, seek treatment immediately,’ he says.
How the broadcaster looked before she developed an auto-immune condition
‘A doctor will examine your hair, scalp and nails and look into your personal and family medical history, as well as diet, stress levels and other lifestyle factors.
‘They may also request a blood test to check for deficiencies in ferritin, which reflects iron stores, as well as blood count, thyroid levels and hormonal balance, and to assess for any autoimmune indicators.’
If alopecia is confirmed, patients may be referred to a specialist for more targeted support.
‘You may then be referred to a specialist to receive more specific clinical support – this is often the case for alopecia areata patients,’ says Bradshaw.
‘Treatment options can range from corticosteroid injections into the scalp to topical steroids and immunotherapy treatments. Patients should discuss treatment options with their GP to decide the best course of action.’
But despite how common hair loss is, Bradshaw says alopecia is still surrounded by damaging myths.
‘A common one is that alopecia is not a serious condition and doesn’t require medical treatment,’ he says.
‘The psychological impact of hair loss can be just as severe as the physical impact, with many losing confidence and experiencing poor mental health that can directly affect relationships and overall happiness.
‘It should be taken seriously by those experiencing it and by medical professionals diagnosing and treating it.
‘It’s also not uncommon for people to believe alopecia is caused by poor hygiene or diet. It is an autoimmune condition, so a lack of vegetables or not washing your hair enough is not going to cause hair loss to that extent.
‘Some may also think alopecia is completely irreversible. Though some types can have longer-lasting effects than others, people with alopecia areata can see regrowth.’
Often, regrowth comes with time, lifestyle changes and prescription products that have been scientifically proven to stimulate follicular growth.
Minoxidil, also known as Regaine, is an over-the-counter topical treatment that can work well for male and female pattern hair loss. However, it is not a quick fix and requires consistent use over several months before visible improvement is likely.
Hair loss can be deeply distressing and there are, unsurprisingly, scores of products that claim to reverse its effects at home – often for a price.
But Bradshaw warns that people should be cautious before spending money on unproven treatments.
‘At-home treatments are much more minimal for alopecia areata due to limited medical evidence of treatments that work,’ he says.
‘Daily scalp massages have been reported by some as a method for boosting circulation and minimal regrowth, though there is limited evidence to back this completely.
‘People should avoid serums, oils, supplements or devices being promoted as solutions to hair loss without scientific backing. Many products lack industry-backed evidence of their effectiveness, despite bold claims made by manufacturers.
‘Always check whether products have medical backing before purchasing, or ask a pharmacist or your GP before spending your money.’
