ACUTE TELOGEN EFFLUVIUM: A SEQUELA OF COVID-19 INFECTION

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected different people differently. One of the many adverse consequences that emerged post a COVID -19 infections has been acute hair loss. Telogen efuvium is characterized by diffuse hair shedding 2-3 months after a stressor, and COVID-19 infection is potentially one such stressor. Therefore, this retrospective study is carried out to analyze the incidence of TE after post COVID-19 infection in Prayagraj and nearby district. : This retrospective study was carried out at Tejas Skin Clinic, Prayagraj, from Feb, 2021 to June, 2021,Methods which included only patients with history of COVID -19 disease with acute hair loss. Patients with the previous history of hair loss were excluded from the study. Out of 63 cases, 47 (74.6%) cases were identied with Telogen efuvium attributed toResults: COVID-19. Out of 74.6% cases 27.6% were male and 72.4% were females.The presentation of these patients suggests that Telogen efuvium as a possible sequela of COVID-19. Our study reports 43 cases of acute TE occurring between 1Conclusion: and three months after COVID -19 infections which is actually the tip of the iceberg. Therefore, in the current era of pandemic, we suggest that a SARS-CoV-2 infection should be suspected and investigated in the patients who present with acute TE.