small grey circular patch in beard, appeared after a couple days!!

Question

Hi all, please help.
Im 29 year old healthy male, play sports etc but i am quite stressed due to university exams (and general life worries,haren't we all?) I have long brown hair on my head no grey hair anywhere and none at all in my full beard either. 

HOWEVER, last week i noticed about 6 grey/white hairs when i shaved all bunched together. looking at it from a distance when it was stubble it looked like i had a patch in my beard. I believe it is NOT alopeica barbae, as there IS hair here, but it is pure white/grey. I thought if it was going grey normally one,maybe two strands/stubble scattered around my face would start to go grey,.. but this is a small patch, the size of my baby finger thumbnail jsut up from my chin, It just came on over a couple days. Very strange.my father is 63 and his hair on his head is only starting to go grey recently. 

I dont know what it is. Will the pigmentation grow back? Is it from stress? Is it medically cured? 

Please someone help, 
Thanking you so much.
Jon

matt_matt · Answer

Hi all - I have a similar problem. Started a few years ago when I was 28: small grey / white patch of hair on one side of my chin. When I shaved the skin under the patch was slightly lighter than my normal skin, but not too noticeable.

About a year after it appeared, the patch expanded rapidly to cover most of my chin on both sides, creating a weird / unique pure white pattern in my brown beard.

Then, 6 month ago, it began shrinking and is back to the size of a coin. 

The Dr tells me that it is vitiligo, and may be expanding / retreating due to stress.

Good luck everyone!

petix · Answer

Hi, I am 22 I feel healthy but I have the same problem, small circular grey spot under my chin. Please any solution??

PeterDdd · Answer

any news from any of you?
i have the same thing, started as a small spot, then more spots, now it have grown together as a very huge spot constantly growin 0.5cm a month, have been growing over a year.
so its now a huge white spot with more or less normal skin (maybe a bit lighter/more pink) white hair that seams to be a bit thinner then normal hair. 
Been to several doctors, saying vitilago, and spot baldness as the reasons.

Curiosityben · Answer

Hi aIl, I have a similar situation. A patch of white hair which when shaved remains a lighter patch? Did yours resolve itself? What was the diagnosis?

westmorr · Answer

Has anyone found a solution to this problem? I am having what seems to be a similar issue. Looked to be a small bald spot. Grew my beard out and then trimmed down months later to find a half dollar sized spot of white/clear hair. When shaved/trimmed down with a 2 guard it looks bald. The rest of my beard is dark brown. Started right around 30th birthday. Seems to be a trend with the 29-30 year....

Winemakergreg · Answer

Hi guys. Sounds like I have found a small group of guys who are experiencing the same thing as me. About four months ago I noticed my beard was forming two patches of white beard hair. Upon shaving, the skin was pinkish. When the stubble regrew, it was clear at first, then white thin hairs. WTF? It is NOT bald spots, there is hair, but the hair is white. I do not feel this is premature graying, as my head hair is very slowly graying in a normal fashion. It is not vitiligo, I think, because the skin is not bleached or white, it is definitely pink. Not alopecia, because the spots are not bald. Dermatologist here in town said, "I've never seen anything like this." What adds to the mystery is, my two dots are SYMMETRICALLY placed on my chin on either side of my mouth, so it looks...kinda...cool....but still....WTF!!?? I would love to hear any thoughts.

Jesustorres · Answer

I also have the same thing.it started when I was about 18 and it was smaller then my pinky nail but now I'm 23 and it's as big as my thumb.sk I an say it gets begged with time and no I haven't gone to a doctor but I feel fine.

MRLaf · Answer

Tried the topical steroid for 6 weeks, and the spot changed shapes...but I wouldn't say it got any smaller.  Going back in for a follow up appointment on 01/22/2014.

Hope you're having better luck.

MRLaf · Answer

I went to the dermatologist this morning, they said it is vitiligo.  I've been prescribed a topical steroid ointment that I'm supposed to try for 6 weeks.  I'll let you know how it goes!  Hopefully it works.

bilal2023 · Answer

Hello Mr Laf..
               i am also having the same problem on my chin.. tommorrow i am going to meet a specialist.. and then i will let you know.. what do you think ... is it alopecia or it is vitiligo..??
      My Email is   ***@****
       My skype is  bilalsaithy
         You please keep in touch with me..
             Thanks 
             Bilal

MRLaf · Answer

I just had this same thing pop up in Oct 2013.  I had a beard that was probably and inch long and noticed a few grey hairs...nbd right?...I'm pushing 30.  Buzzed it down to a 2 guard on the trimmer...and it was the size of a quarter!  I'm also an athlete, 50 miles a week running, lifting as well...stressed at grad school and have a 1.5 year old.

The spot when shaved looks sort of "pinkish" when it's shaved all the way down and the hair comes back very thin and white.  I was told to try an anti fungal that didn't work...now they are telling me to try an antibiotic ointment.  I'll give the vitamin B a shot.  Let me know if anyone figures anything out!  I miss my beard!

bilal2023 · Answer

Hello Mr jon.. 
                i am also suffering from the same problem.. and i am also quite stressed due to my job and my university exam. i dont play and dont make friends..But my age is 25 now..i am in pakistan. i consulted many doctors.. some say this is alopecia. and some say this is vitiligo.. But i am not satisfied.. 
               this is on the left side of my chin.. i have been suffering from this problem almost 6 months. As you told , a patch of grey hair and the colour of the skin is also white.. when closely shaved one can see a white patch on my chin.. 
        I am so worried about this .. please tell me mr jon it is cured or not?
              if it is cured how you did?
              Please someone help me on this topic..

Sprint1803 · Answer

I have exactly the same situation, am also 29, grey hair patch on chin which appears smooth in comparison to surrounding stubble and was wondering how yours turned out in the end? Did you see a dermatologist and did vit B help?

jon1982 · Answer

Hi,
Thanks very much for your reply, very kind of you.
Out of the options that you said the only one that id be able to relate to is maybe the stress factor. My diet is fine, i do use hair dryer but i have used that for years now with no problems. I might start taking Vit B multi-vitamen to see if that helps.

Its just a really small area,by my chin that has suddenly turned grey/white. a whole bunch of hairs, about 6 of them. From a distance when the hair is shaved it looks like a patch, but i dont know what on earth this could be. It must be some auto-immune deficiency.

I really really hope that the problem goes away, if it doesnt go away or if it gets worse i will go to the doctor. I will keep you posted. 

Thanks very much
Jon

BKaurMD · Answer

Hello,
The various causes for premature graying of hair are genetics or hereditary factors, malnutrition and a diet deficient in vit B , smoking ,thyroid disease, stress and anxiety, unclean condition of the scalp, drying it with an electric dryer and use of hair dyes. Take a healthy nutritious diet and some vitamin B supplements for some days. If the symptoms persist then please get it evaluated from a dermatologist.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.