Trichodynia and Telogen Effluvium in COVID-19 Patients: Results of an International Expert Opinion Survey on Diagnosis and Management

The document presents an international survey on the diagnosis and management of trichodynia and telogen effluvium, conditions causing hair loss and scalp pain, in COVID-19 patients. The study involved 128 patients with a history of COVID-19, with 66.3% showing telogen effluvium and 58.4% showing trichodynia. The majority (62.5%) started experiencing hair symptoms within the first month after COVID-19 diagnosis. The study suggests that the severity of these conditions may be influenced by the severity of the COVID-19 infection. It also suggests that hair loss could be due to an immune-mediated microthrombotic reaction at the hair follicle vessels or a direct infection of the hair follicle by the virus. The study also indicates that drugs used to treat the infection may contribute to the pathogenesis of telogen effluvium, especially in late-onset cases. The study had limitations, including the lack of a control group and the lack of recording of patient comorbidities that can induce these conditions.