COVID-19 related anagen effluvium

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Infectious Diseases
• Trichology

Background:

• The spectrum of cutaneous manifestations associated with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to expand.
• Anagen effluvium, characterized by sudden hair loss during the anagen growth phase, is an increasingly recognized dermatological sequela of viral infections.

Observation:

• A single patient case is presented, highlighting a novel COVID-19-related skin manifestation.
• The patient exhibited significant hair shedding consistent with anagen effluvium.
• Concurrent extensive urticaria and maculopapular rash, also attributed to COVID-19, were noted.

Findings:

• The presented case demonstrates a direct correlation between COVID-19 infection and the development of anagen effluvium.
• Low-dose systemic steroid therapy proved effective in managing the patient's COVID-19-related urticaria and maculopapular rash.
• The hair loss condition, anagen effluvium, also showed improvement following the steroid treatment, suggesting a potential shared inflammatory pathway.

Implications:

• This case expands the understanding of COVID-19's diverse dermatological impact.
• It suggests that anagen effluvium may be a treatable manifestation of COVID-19.
• Further research into the pathophysiology and optimal management of COVID-19-associated hair loss is warranted.