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,
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32 citations,
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24 citations,
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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.
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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.
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34 citations,
October 2017 in “Archivos Argentinos De Pediatria” Alopecia Areata is a complex, unpredictable autoimmune hair loss condition with limited treatment options and a significant psychological impact.
