The attached study published in the Lancet regarding long-term clinical effects of recovered COVID-19 patients confirms what we have seen in our office over the past several months - increased rates of hair loss.
In addition to fatigue, muscle weakness, altered smell, insomnia, and depression, hair loss affects 22% of the patients surveyed in this published trial.
I believe the vast majority are a telogen effluvium - a disruption in our hair cycle that can occur with any phyisical, emotional or psychological stress on our body. It typically presents 3-6 months after the stress (in this case COVID-19) and can result in a dramatic loss of hair.
The good news is most patients can recover the majority of lost hair over 6-12 months. Minoxidil, PRP, LLLT and finasteride can help speed up the recovery.
Any patient with sudden hair loss should be evaluated by their dermatologist to help establish the underlying cause and help create a treatment plan.
https://www.thelancet.com/action/showPdf?pii=S0140-6736(20)32656-8
You Might Also Enjoy...
During the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) virtual meeting experience, I was happy to participate in this very informative session on innovative therapeutic tools to slow hair loss and increase hair growth.
Interesting article regarding study showing no surgery scars in mice.
Interesting study giving us more information regarding the possible cause of alopecia areata.
A recent study shows an association between finasteride use and psychological adverse events.
We have seen a vast increase in hair loss patients who have suffered from COVID.
This article shows more evidience that combination therapy is synergistic in treating hair loss. This study compares low-level light therapy alone and in combination with 5% minoxidil.
