A Case Series and Literature Review of Telogen Effluvium and Alopecia Universalis After the Administration of a Heterologous COVID-19 Vaccine Scheme

February 2023 in “ Vaccines ”

Jenny Hernández Arroyo, Juan S. Izquierdo-Condoy, Esteban Ortiz‐Prado

telogen effluvium alopecia universalis COVID-19 vaccine Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine hair loss Pfizer vaccine

TLDR Some people experienced hair loss after COVID-19 vaccination, but it's very rare and vaccines' benefits are greater than this risk.

The document discusses a case series of five individuals in Ecuador who developed hair loss conditions, specifically telogen effluvium and alopecia universalis, within 3 to 17 days after receiving a heterologous COVID-19 vaccination scheme. The study suggests a potential link between COVID-19 vaccines and hair loss, but the exact mechanism is unclear. The document also reviews 19 reported cases of alopecia associated with COVID-19 vaccines as of November 1, 2022, with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine being the most reported. The authors emphasize that these events are extremely rare and the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines outweigh the reported risk of hair loss. They recommend further studies with larger sample sizes to establish a causal relationship. Treatments for the hair loss showed varying degrees of improvement, with two patients showing 80% and 90% improvement respectively, while others showed less improvement.

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Research cited in this study

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research Comorbidities in Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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research Race and Alopecia Areata Amongst US Women

37 citations, December 2017 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings”

Black and Hispanic women are more likely to have alopecia areata than white women.

research Alopecia Areata: Overview and Insights from January 2018

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Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition causing hair loss, influenced by genetics, stress, and diet, and may be prevented by a high soy oil diet.

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Hepatitis C treatment may trigger complete hair loss, especially in those with a history of patchy hair loss, but hair usually grows back within a year.

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Alopecia areata shows a unique type 1 interferon signature, suggesting potential treatment by targeting this pathway.

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87 citations, October 1997 in “JAMA”

Some vaccines might rarely cause hair loss, more research is needed.

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