The Relationship Between Androgens and Androgenic Alopecia With COVID-19 Infection

Research has observed that men are more likely to suffer from severe COVID-19 compared to women and children, leading to a hypothesis about the role of androgens in the disease's progression. Androgens promote the transcription of the TMPRSS2 gene, which facilitates SARS-CoV-2 entry into cells. Men often experience androgenic alopecia, and researchers have attempted to link its severity to COVID-19 severity, termed the "Gabrin sign." However, these observations are based on a small sample size, necessitating further studies with larger populations. Treatments like hydroxychloroquine and dexamethasone, which reduce androgen secretion, have been suggested to mitigate the disease's severity.