Alopecia Universalis After Injection of Messenger RNA COVID-19 Vaccine: A Case Report

January 2023 in “ IDCases ”

Kentaro Iwata, Makoto Kunisada

alopecia universalis mRNA-1273 oral prednisone excimer lamp therapy herbal medications hair loss COVID-19 vaccine prednisone light therapy

Studysummary This case study describes a rare instance of alopecia universalis in a Japanese patient following an mRNA COVID-19 vaccination.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

This case report describes a Japanese female patient in her 40s who developed alopecia universalis, a condition characterized by the complete loss of hair on the scalp and body, one week after receiving the first dose of the mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine. Despite various treatments, including oral prednisone, excimer lamp therapy, and herbal medications, her condition showed little improvement. The report suggests a potential link between the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine and the onset of alopecia universalis, although it acknowledges that this association is not conclusive. The authors emphasize the need for healthcare workers to be aware of this rare but possible side effect and call for further studies to investigate the incidence and best treatment approaches for vaccine-induced alopecia.

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Research cited in this study

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