TLDR COVID-19 can cause different types of hair loss, and proper diagnosis by a specialist may be needed.
Hair loss is a common complaint during or after COVID-19 infection, often manifesting as telogen effluvium (TE), a diffuse but self-limited hair shedding likely due to the impact of cytokines on the hair follicle cycle. However, not all cases of diffuse hair loss after COVID-19 are TE. Other conditions such as trichotillomania (TTM), alopecia areata, and androgenetic alopecia have been linked to COVID-19 infection. For example, a case of a woman with acute and diffuse hair loss was initially treated for TE for over 8 months with no response, but further examination revealed the diagnosis of diffuse alopecia areata. Dermoscopy and blood screening can help differentiate the cause of hair loss, especially when associated with other conditions like androgenetic alopecia, syphilis, diffuse alopecia areata, or TTM. Therefore, hair loss following COVID-19 infection should not be evaluated solely on clinical grounds and may require specialized dermatological help.
2 citations
,
August 2021 in “Revista Da Associacao Medica Brasileira” The COVID-19 pandemic has increased hair loss and psychological distress in women.
32 citations
,
March 2021 in “Journal of cosmetic dermatology (Print)” COVID-19 infection may trigger alopecia areata in some patients.
27 citations
,
December 2020 in “Experimental Dermatology” Grey hair and baldness may be linked to COVID-19 severity, but more analysis is needed; post-infectious hair loss is related to the severity of the disease and usually recovers within 3-6 months.
24 citations
,
August 2020 in “AJGP” A woman's sudden hair loss was linked to her previous COVID-19 infection.
53 citations
,
March 2014 in “Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine” The document explains different types of hair loss, their causes, and treatments, and suggests future research areas.
18 citations
,
April 2013 in “Inflammatory Bowel Diseases” People with Inflammatory Bowel Disease often lose hair due to stress, medication side effects, or lack of nutrients, and treatment depends on the specific cause.
January 2020 in “Der Pharmacia Lettre” Nanoparticle-based herbal remedies could be promising for treating hair loss with fewer side effects and lower cost, but more research is needed.
January 2007 in “Elsevier eBooks” Alopecia areata is a reversible, autoimmune-related hair loss that can have significant emotional impact and uncertain treatment effectiveness.
September 2025 in “Cosmoderma” Pandemic stress worsens hair loss and skin issues, suggesting combined mental and skin care treatments.
