Acute Telogen Effluvium Related To COVID-19 Infection: A Review

Abstract

Background: Since being declared a pandemic, Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) has spread worldwide and causes various manifestations, including hair symptoms. Infection with COVID-19 produces inflammation and stress, which results in dermatological symptoms affecting the skin and hair. The most common hair loss-related finding in COVID-19 instances is Telogen Effluvium (TE), which is characterized by widespread non-scarring hair loss. The hair shedding that occurs usually happens two to three months after infection. In this article, we review and summarize how hair loss was induced in COVID-19 infections, how TE and COVID-19 severity is associated, as well as the duration and onset of TE following COVID-19 infections. Methods: A literature search through PubMed was performed and nine studies were found. Studies included case reports and case series published from 2020 to 2021. Results: From the nine studies reviewed, we found more than 50% of females suffered from post-COVID TE, with an age range of 20-76 years old and a mean age of 42.89 years old. The average number of days to TE onset was ± 63 days after COVID-19 infection. TE was discovered in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19. Several studies have found that Caucasians are more likely to suffer from TE compared to other racial groups. The comorbidities in most of the patients included vitamin D deficiency, anemia, hypothyroidism, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Conclusion: Various factors influence post-COVID TE, including age, time of onset, gender, severity of COVID-19 infection, and pre-existing comorbidities (vitamin D deficiency, anemia, hypothyroidism, and type 2 diabetes mellitus). Key words:  telogen effluvium, hair loss, COVID-19, SARS-COV-2