Woman with Bald Strips Above Each Ear

I’m a relatively healthy 63 year old woman. My hair began thinning at the frontal hairline about five years ago. Recently, to my horror, I noticed that bald strips about two inches high and three inches long have appeared above each ear. This loss appears to have occurred in the past three or four months. Can you advise me of what might be the cause?

This is where pictures would help, as well as mapping out your hair for miniaturization. What you are describing is clearly not normal. To make a diagnosis of forms of alopecia, I need my eyes to look for patterns and science to tell me about the health of your other hair. With that knowledge I may be able to answer your question, but without it there’s not much I can offer.