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.
1 citations,
March 2022 in “Irish Journal of Medical Science” Men with androgenetic alopecia and hypertension may experience more severe COVID-19.
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.
6 citations,
December 2020 in “Dermatological reviews” COVID-19 may worsen with androgens; anti-androgen drugs could help.