Telogen Effluvium: Long-Term COVID-19 Symptom

The document reports on the occurrence of telogen effluvium, a temporary hair loss condition, as a long-term symptom in patients who have recovered from COVID-19. The study presents four cases of individuals who experienced significant hair loss following their recovery from COVID-19. The patients, ranging in age from 32 to 48 years old, developed symptoms of telogen effluvium between 1 to 3 months after their initial COVID-19 infection. The hair loss was diagnosed through clinical examination and positive hair pull tests. The study suggests that the hair loss could be due to the physical and psychological stress caused by the infection, nutritional deficiencies, or "post-febrile alopecia" triggered by the high fever associated with COVID-19. The authors note that while the exact cause of the hair loss in COVID-19 patients is unknown, it may be related to factors such as genetics, immune response, and nutritional status. They emphasize that telogen effluvium is usually temporary and recovery is expected once the underlying stressor is resolved, but they also acknowledge the psychological impact that hair loss can have on patients recovering from COVID-19.