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

Authors

  • July Iriani Rahardja Karya Medika Hospital
  • Anna Rumaisyah Karya Medika Hospital
  • Desica Natalisa Simanjuntak Karya Medika Hospital
  • Geby Khomaro Putri Karya Medika Hospital

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.66344/jpad.v32i3.1913

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).

References

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Published

27.08.2022

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Review Articles

How to Cite

1.
Acute Telogen Effluvium Related To COVID-19 Infection: A Review. J Pak Assoc Dermatol [Internet]. 2022 Aug. 27 [cited 2026 Sep. 14];32(3):598-604. Available from: https://www.jpad.com.pk/index.php/jpad/article/view/1913