Unraveling Dermatological Manifestations After COVID-19: Insights from Skin Pigmentation and Hair Loss Patterns

February 2025 in “ The Open Dermatology Journal ”

Faranak Salajegheh, Mohammad Karim Rahimi, Fatemeh Rezaei, Niloofar Farsiu, Reza Sinaei, Mohsen Nakhaie

telogen effluvium hair loss skin pigmentation arterial oxygen saturation COVID-19 stress malnutrition physiological changes

TLDR Many COVID-19 survivors, especially women, experience hair loss and skin color changes, needing specific post-recovery care.

The study at Afzalipour Hospital in Kerman, Iran, involving 190 COVID-19-recovered patients, found that 76.3% experienced hair loss, mainly among females, with patterns similar to telogen effluvium, especially in the frontal region. Additionally, 15.3% reported changes in skin pigmentation. A significant link was identified between hair loss and arterial oxygen saturation levels. The study underscores the necessity for targeted post-COVID-19 care, particularly for women, to address these common issues and suggests that stress, malnutrition, and physiological changes due to COVID-19 may contribute to these dermatological symptoms.

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Research cited in this study

6 / 6 results

research Practical Approach to Hair Loss Diagnosis

1 citations , October 2021 in “Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery”

The document concludes that doctors should use a systematic method and tools like trichoscopy to diagnose hair loss causes.

research Telogen Effluvium Associated with COVID-19 Infection

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The COVID-19 pandemic led to an increase in untreated hair diseases and showed the importance of teledermatology.

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31 citations , May 2020 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

Quarantine stress likely worsened hair loss in women, but video consultations helped manage their condition and reduce anxiety.

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56 citations , August 2019 in “Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology”

The document concludes that Telogen Effluvium is a hair loss disorder that can be assessed with the modified wash test and may be treated with clobetasol foam, with patient management being important.

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Stress can worsen skin conditions by affecting hormone levels and immune response.