TLDR COVID-19 increased alopecia areata relapses due to inflammation and stress.
The study surveyed 475 Italian patients with a history of alopecia areata (AA) to assess the impact of COVID-19 on AA relapse. It found that 42.5% of those who contracted COVID-19 experienced a relapse, typically 2 months post-infection, with 74% still having symptoms at the survey time. In contrast, only 12.5% of those without COVID-19 reported a relapse. The study suggested that COVID-19-related inflammation and psychological stress from quarantine contributed to increased AA relapse, indicating a potential rise in AA cases as the pandemic spread. The research emphasized the psychosocial effects of the pandemic on AA recurrence.
24 citations
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August 2020 in “AJGP” A woman's sudden hair loss was linked to her previous COVID-19 infection.
39 citations
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June 2020 in “Dermatologic Therapy” The COVID-19 pandemic led to an increase in untreated hair diseases and showed the importance of teledermatology.
57 citations
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April 2019 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement” Alopecia areata involves immune system imbalances that may lead to depression and anxiety.
28 citations
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March 2018 in “Archives of Dermatological Research” 
67 citations
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July 2016 in “Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders” Stress can worsen skin conditions by affecting hormone levels and immune response.
185 citations
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August 2005 in “Autoimmunity Reviews” Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition causing hair loss due to the immune system attacking hair follicles, often influenced by genetics and stress.
23 citations
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March 2001 in “Clinics in dermatology” Alopecia areata involves immune response and gene changes affecting hair loss.
14 citations
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February 2021 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” A COVID-19 patient with severe hair loss did not improve with hair loss medication after stopping and restarting it due to the infection.
May 2023 in “Journal of Clinical Medicine” New understanding and treatments for hair loss are improving, but more research is needed.
3 citations
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August 2022 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences” COVID-19 can cause hair loss, and treatments like PRP and stem cells might help.
2 citations
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July 2023 in “Life” COVID-19 can cause temporary hair loss, which is commonly reversible with treatment.
July 2023 in “Regenerative Therapy” Stem cell and platelet-rich plasma therapies show promise for COVID-19 related hair loss, but more research is needed.
