Telogen Effluvium: A Sequela of COVID-19

The document discusses the observation of telogen effluvium (TE), a condition characterized by diffuse hair loss, as a postinfectious manifestation in patients who had previously contracted COVID-19. The study presented 10 female patients with a median age of 55, all of whom had confirmed COVID-19 infections, with varying degrees of disease severity. These patients experienced significant hair loss within weeks to months after their infection, without any other new medical conditions, medications, or lifestyle changes that could explain the sudden onset of symptoms. The hair loss included shedding in large clumps and thinning along the frontal hairline. The patients were diagnosed with TE, which is typically a self-limiting condition, and the study emphasizes the importance of patient education and the role of telemedicine in providing dermatologic care during the pandemic. The study aimed to increase awareness of TE as a potential late sequela of COVID-19, as the number of recovering patients rises and the risk of developing this dermatologic condition is likely to continue.