A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study on Post COVID-19 Hair Loss at a Tertiary Care Hospital

The study conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 120 patients who experienced hair loss after recovering from COVID-19. The patients, with a mean age of 39.6 years, were predominantly female. The majority (87%) were treated at home, and 43.3% had COVID-19 for more than 2 weeks. The average time of hair loss onset post-COVID-19 was 49 days. Patients mainly presented with diffuse (72.4%) and patterned hair loss (31.6%). Severe hair loss was observed in 55.8% of the subjects, especially in older age groups and females. A positive hair pull test was seen in 65% of patients. Trichoscopy revealed single hair follicles (81.7%) and vellus hair >10% (60%) as the most common features. Patients with COVID-19 for more than 2 weeks had significantly more severe hair loss. Trichoscopic findings of vellus hair >10% and empty hair follicles were more frequent in patients who were hospitalized for COVID-19.