Scalp Capillarectasia as a Trichoscopic Sign of COVID-19-Associated Telogen Effluvium

The document discusses Telogen effluvium (TE), a common hair loss condition associated with COVID-19, characterized by diffuse hair shedding across the scalp. The authors suggest that scalp capillarectasia, or dilation of scalp capillaries, could be a distinguishing feature of COVID-19-associated TE (CATE) from classic TE. This is based on the observation that medium to small vessel dilation is prevalent in COVID-19 infection in various organs, and similar changes may occur in scalp skin capillaries. The authors conclude that capillarectasia could be a valuable trichoscopic sign of CATE in patients with a history of hair shedding without any inflammatory scalp disease. However, they note that further prospective studies with long-term follow-up are needed to determine the value of this dermoscopic sign.