Hair disorders associated with post-COVID-19 infection in females: a cross-sectional study

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) currently named SARS-CoV-2 is a contagious disease caused by a coronavirus. The virus may infect the hair follicles directly or indirectly through systemic changes in the immune or hormonal systems.

In the current study we aimed to determine the prevalence of hair disorders in females infected with COVID-19.

Data was collected using a questionnaire covering four main domains: personal data, past medical history, COVID-19 history and treatment, and existence of any hair problems and their management. No identifier or sensitive data were collected. Those complaining of hair loss were subjected to complete general and local hair examination using trichoscopy to confirm hair loss.

Hair problems were reported in 307 (61.4%) of COVID-19-infected female subjects. A total of 68.1% patients reported that hair loss existed and increased after COVID-19; 29.6% reported their hair problems only post-COVID-19 while 2.3% had hair shedding issues during infection only. The main reported hair problems were telogen effluvium (60.8%), increased gray hair (13.8%), seborrheic dermatitis (5.6%) trichotillomania (3.6%), and alopecia areata (2.2%).

In conclusion, we reported prevalence of post-COVID hair fall that was confirmed by trichoscopy and which affected approximately 61.4% of infected females.