Does scalp scratching/hair pulling cause permanent hair loss?

[sheraz104]

I have Seborrheic Dermatitis spots on the side and back of scalp, most of these spots are bald or has sparse hair and I have been picking skin from these areas with hair attached from the past and half years.

 

I didn't tell my doctor about my habit of picking skin from the affected areas and he diagnosed it as Alopecia Areata and has given me the topical steroids to use.

 

I am wondering if I have permanently damaged my hair by constant picking of skin/hair?

If some of my hair loss is due to picking, will it grow back?

 

Thanks

[Blake Bloxham]

Sheraz,

 

Hair pulling doesn't cause alopecia areata.

 

Trichotillomania can, however, cause temporary focal hair loss. If it's trichotillomania, it should grow back. If it's from the dermatitis, it should grow back as well.