TLDR High incidence of hair loss found in COVID-19 patients, but no severity correlation established.
This document is a reply to a comment on a previous study that found a high incidence of androgenetic alopecia (AGA) in COVID-19 patients. The author clarifies that the previous study was not a comparative study and did not establish a correlation between AGA and COVID-19 severity. However, the study did find that full AGA men had an increased risk of testing positive for COVID-19 and that the Gabrin sign (Hamilton-Norwood scale) was associated with worse outcomes in men. The author suggests that future studies should control for gender and specific anti-androgen use to refine COVID-19 data. The document includes a table comparing the proportions of men with AGA in the Madrid COVID-19 study with a previous study.
4 citations,
August 2020 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Hair loss link to COVID-19 severity likely due to other factors.
32 citations,
July 2020 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” AGA linked to worse COVID-19 outcomes in men.
119 citations,
May 2020 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Most COVID-19 patients in hospitals have androgenetic alopecia, more in men, suggesting a link between androgen sensitivity and severe COVID-19 symptoms.
134 citations,
April 2020 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology” Male pattern hair loss could hint at androgens affecting COVID-19 severity.
32 citations,
July 2020 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” AGA linked to worse COVID-19 outcomes in men.
27 citations,
November 2020 in “International Journal of Dermatology” COVID-19 can cause skin issues like chilblains and rashes, which may help in early detection, especially in patients without other symptoms.
January 2025 in “International Journal of Trichology” Severe hair loss may increase the risk of dying from COVID-19.
1 citations,
March 2022 in “Irish Journal of Medical Science” Men with androgenetic alopecia and hypertension may experience more severe COVID-19.
6 citations,
December 2020 in “Dermatological reviews” COVID-19 may worsen with androgens; anti-androgen drugs could help.