Black Dots in Trichoscopy After COVID-19: Can It Be Telogen Effluvium?

July 2021 in “ Dermatologic Therapy ”

Maria Vastarella, Mariateresa Cantelli, Paola Nappa, Gabriella Fabbrocini, Sonia Sofía Ocampo‐Garza

telogen effluvium trichoscopy perifollicular discoloration pressure-induced alopecia oral minoxidil topical clobetasol caffeine peptides post-COVID-19 alopecia cytokine storm tissue ischemia TE PA minoxidil clobetasol

TLDR A woman's hair loss after COVID-19 was likely due to a mix of pressure-induced alopecia and acute telogen effluvium.

The document reports a case of a 58-year-old woman who experienced significant hair loss after recovering from COVID-19, diagnosed as atypical acute telogen effluvium (TE). Trichoscopy revealed hair loss across the scalp with greater involvement of the vertex area, where black dots and perifollicular discoloration were observed, which are not typically found in TE. The patient's history included using a small pillow for head support during hospitalization, leading to the hypothesis of pressure-induced alopecia (PA) in conjunction with acute TE. Treatment with oral minoxidil, topical clobetasol, and a topical solution with caffeine and peptides resulted in improvement after 3 months. The document suggests that post-COVID-19 alopecia could be a combination of PA and TE, possibly due to tissue ischemia from prolonged pressure and a "cytokine storm" from severe infection. Preventive measures in intensive care units are recommended to reduce the incidence of PA.

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Research cited in this study

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community CTE and lots of shedding for over a year

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A female user has experienced severe hair shedding since stopping birth control in late 2022, diagnosed as telogen effluvium with no signs of androgenetic alopecia. Despite healthy living and optimal bloodwork, she continues to shed hair daily but also sees significant regrowth.

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The user is experiencing sudden hair loss and is considering micro-needling, low-level light therapy, iron supplements, folihair, and Omega 3. They are hesitant to start finasteride, suspecting the hair loss might be due to telogen effluvium from a past COVID-19 infection.

community fin + oral/topical minox + folexin + nizoral/head & shoulders + vitamin d. it works

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