TLDR A patient experienced severe hair loss after getting an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
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.
Cited in this study
4 / 4 results
6 citations
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September 2022 in “Vaccines” Some people developed alopecia areata after COVID-19 vaccination, but it's not caused by the vaccine and most improved with treatment.
25 citations
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June 2022 in “JAAD International” Some COVID-19 patients lose hair, with the most common type linked to male hormones and possibly increasing the risk of severe illness.
391 citations
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February 2010 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Half of people with Alopecia Areata may see hair regrowth within a year without treatment, but recovery is unpredictable.
87 citations
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October 1997 in “JAMA” Some vaccines might rarely cause hair loss, more research is needed.
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3 citations
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September 2021 in “Journal of Nepal Medical Association” A woman with complete hair loss and severe hyperthyroidism was successfully treated with azathioprine and hydroxychloroquine.
January 2021 in “Our Dermatology Online” Oral tofacitinib successfully treated total body hair loss in one patient.
24 citations
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January 2018 in “International Journal of Trichology” Tofacitinib helped regrow hair in patients with alopecia, with few side effects.
16 citations
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January 2017 in “Acta dermatovenerologica Alpina, Pannonica et Adriatica (Tiskana izd.)” A patient with complete hair loss regrew all her hair using tofacitinib.
5 citations
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June 2015 in “Veterinary dermatology” A dog with complete hair loss regrew most hair after treatment, with no relapse after stopping treatment.
39 citations
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April 2003 in “Australasian journal of dermatology” PUVA treatment led to significant hair regrowth in over half of the patients with alopecia areata totalis and universalis.
