Reply to Early Onset Effluvium Secondary to COVID-19 and Body-Hair Effluvium

The document discusses the different types of hair loss that can occur after a COVID-19 infection, including dystrophic anagen effluvium and alopecia areata. The authors note that the duration of hair shedding can range from 12 to 100 days and may be associated with the hair cycle phase and presence or absence of chronic inflammation. They also highlight the potential for misdiagnosis, as diffuse alopecia areata can be difficult to distinguish from chronic telogen effluvium. The document also mentions the use of Janus Kinase inhibitors for treating alopecia areata, with some of these drugs showing benefits for COVID-19 patients. However, it remains unknown if anti-inflammatory therapies can affect post-COVID-19 hair loss. The authors also note a rare characteristic of effluvium observed in their patients: body hair effluvium. They encourage further studies on this phenomenon. Finally, they state that up to 20% of COVID-19 patients have cutaneous manifestations, and dermatologists should be aware of the different types of hair loss that can occur post-infection.