European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background: Telogen effluvium (TE) after COVID-19 infection or vaccination is a common sequelae in dermatology clinics.
Objective: to study the prevalence of telogen effluvium in COVID-19 patients and its association with COVID vaccine.
Methods: Cross-sectional study via online questionnaire in Saudi Arabia and other Arabic countries.
Results: Prevalence of hair loss among COVID-19 patients is ~85% with 45.9%  meeting the criteria of TE. Majority of those with high fever associated with COVID-19 developed TE (87.5%). 100% of hospitalized patients exhibited TE with 58% having diffuse hair loss for less than 6 months (acute TE) and 32% for more than 6 months (chronic TE). 63.2% of our participants had hair loss after COVID vaccination regardless of vaccine type with the majority experiencing it after the first dose (55.8%).
Limitations: The majority of the participants were female. Other factors associated with hair loss were taken into consideration.
Conclusions: COVID-19 infection and its vaccines carry a high risk for development of telogen effluvium.