Co-occurring AGA and alopecia areata affects approximately 5% of hair loss patients and requires distinct tracking protocols for each condition. A single tracking dashboard that separates these patterns gives both you and your dermatologist a clearer picture of what is happening on your scalp.
Why Multiple Conditions Complicate Tracking
Most hair loss tracking assumes a single diagnosis. You have androgenetic alopecia (AGA), you start treatment, and you track density over time. The trend line either goes up, stays flat, or goes down.
When two or more conditions coexist, a single density reading becomes misleading. Your AGA treatment might be working perfectly on your temples while an alopecia areata flare creates a new bald patch on your occipital region. A single overall density number would average these two opposite trends into something that looks like "no change."
Separating conditions into distinct tracking zones solves this problem.
Common Multi-Condition Combinations
| Combination | Frequency | Why They Co-Occur |
|---|---|---|
| AGA + Alopecia Areata | ~5% of hair loss patients | Independent conditions; genetic and autoimmune |
| AGA + Telogen Effluvium | ~15-20% during stress events | Stress triggers TE on top of existing AGA |
| AGA + Traction Alopecia | Common in specific styling patterns | Mechanical damage overlays hormonal loss |
| AGA + Scarring Alopecia | Rare but clinically significant | Inflammatory condition on top of hormonal |
| Alopecia Areata + Telogen Effluvium | Uncommon | Autoimmune flare plus systemic stress |
Each combination requires different treatments and different tracking approaches. AGA responds to Finasteride (80-90% halt loss) and Minoxidil (40-60% regrowth). Alopecia areata responds to corticosteroids, JAK inhibitors, or immunotherapy. Treating one does not treat the other.
Step 1: Get a Confirmed Diagnosis for Each Condition
Before setting up multi-condition tracking, confirm your diagnoses with a board-certified dermatologist. Self-diagnosing multiple hair loss conditions is unreliable. A dermatologist may use:
- Dermoscopy (trichoscopy) to examine follicle patterns
- Scalp biopsy to confirm inflammatory or scarring conditions
- Blood work to rule out thyroid, iron, or autoimmune factors
- Pull test to assess active shedding
Your tracking is only as good as your diagnosis. If you track "AGA" zones that are actually alopecia areata, your data will not make sense.
Step 2: Map Each Condition to Specific Scalp Zones
In myhairline.ai, set up distinct tracking zones for each condition:
AGA zones (hormonal pattern):
- Hairline recession area (Norwood-relevant)
- Temple recession area (left and right)
- Crown/vertex thinning zone
- Mid-scalp diffuse area
Alopecia areata zones (autoimmune patches):
- Each discrete patch mapped by its scalp location
- Patch boundary documented with photos
- Surrounding "normal" zone for comparison
| Zone Type | What to Track | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| AGA zones | Density readings, miniaturization | Monthly |
| Areata patches | Patch size, boundary changes, regrowth | Every 2 weeks during active flares |
| Overlap zones | Both density and patch boundary | Every 2 weeks |
| Control zones | Unaffected areas for reference | Monthly |
Step 3: Log Treatments Separately by Condition
Different conditions require different treatments. Log each treatment with a tag indicating which condition it targets.
AGA treatments:
- Finasteride 1mg daily
- Minoxidil 5% topical twice daily
- PRP therapy ($500-2,000 per session)
Alopecia areata treatments:
- Intralesional corticosteroid injections
- Topical corticosteroids
- JAK inhibitors (baricitinib, ritlecitinib)
- Topical immunotherapy (DPCP)
When you log a steroid injection for an areata patch, that entry should be linked to the areata tracking zone, not your AGA zones. This separation ensures density changes in each zone are correlated with the correct treatment.
Step 4: Interpret the Separate Trend Lines
After 3-6 months of multi-condition tracking, your myhairline.ai dashboard should show distinct trend lines for each zone group.
Healthy patterns to look for:
- AGA zones showing stable or improving density (Finasteride/Minoxidil working)
- Areata patches showing regrowth after treatment (steroid/JAK inhibitor working)
- No new areata patches appearing
Concerning patterns:
- AGA zones declining despite treatment (may need protocol adjustment)
- Areata patches expanding despite treatment (may need escalation)
- New patches appearing in previously unaffected areas (active flare)
Step 5: Present Combined Data to Your Dermatologist
Your dermatologist is managing two conditions simultaneously. Giving them organized data for each condition saves appointment time and improves treatment decisions.
Export your myhairline.ai PDF report and annotate it:
- Label each zone with its condition
- Highlight the treatment log for each condition
- Note any correlation between conditions (e.g., areata flare coinciding with AGA treatment change)
| What the Report Shows | How the Dermatologist Uses It |
|---|---|
| AGA zone density trends | Evaluates hormonal treatment efficacy |
| Areata patch size over time | Evaluates immunotherapy response |
| Treatment log with dates | Correlates interventions to outcomes |
| New patch emergence timeline | Assesses flare frequency and severity |
Special Considerations for AGA + Telogen Effluvium
Telogen effluvium (TE) is the most common condition to overlap with AGA. A stressful event (illness, surgery, major life change) triggers widespread shedding that adds to your existing AGA pattern.
Tracking distinguishes TE from AGA progression:
- TE shedding is diffuse, affecting the entire scalp including donor areas
- AGA progression follows the Norwood pattern (temples, crown, vertex)
- TE resolves within 3-6 months once the trigger passes
- AGA does not resolve without ongoing treatment
If your tracking shows sudden density drops in all zones including sides and back (areas AGA does not affect), that pattern points to TE rather than AGA worsening.
Your Next Step
Start mapping your conditions today. Upload a photo at myhairline.ai/analyze to establish baseline density readings for each scalp zone before your next dermatology appointment.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Multiple co-occurring hair loss conditions require diagnosis and treatment by a board-certified dermatologist. Do not self-diagnose or self-treat autoimmune conditions like alopecia areata.