Covid Induced Telogen Effluvium: An Insight
January 2022
in “
Indian Dermatology Online Journal
”
TLDR COVID-19 may cause temporary hair loss due to direct damage to hair follicles, but it usually gets better on its own.
The document discusses the connection between COVID-19 and a type of hair loss called telogen effluvium (TE), which is often triggered by significant stress. Observational studies cited in the document found hair loss in 20-25% of COVID-19 survivors. The exact mechanisms causing this hair loss are unclear, but may include pro-inflammatory cytokines, direct viral damage to hair follicles, and microthrombi formation. The document concludes that TE after COVID-19 is likely due to direct viral damage to hair follicles, is reversible, and typically improves without treatment. However, more research is needed to fully understand this condition.