The Role of Sleep in Telogen Effluvium and Trichodynia: A Commentary in the Context of the Current Pandemic

The commentary from January 2021 explored the connection between sleep disturbances, stress, and hair loss conditions like telogen effluvium (TE) and trichodynia during the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlighted that the pandemic may have caused increased sleep issues, which could raise stress and anxiety, potentially triggering TE and worsening trichodynia. The authors pointed to substance P, a neuropeptide, as a possible mediator in these conditions due to its role in neuroinflammation and sleep regulation. They suggested that poor sleep might lead to substance P dysregulation, causing pain and sensitivity in trichodynia and affecting hair cycle regulation. The commentary stressed the need for good sleep for hair and scalp health and called for more research on the relationship between sleep, substance P, and hair loss.