Hair Loss Following COVID-19 Outbreak: An Umbrella Review

Introduction: Among various symptoms of COVID-19, alopecia has been one of the less explored areas. This condition has been observed in many patients across diverse COVID-19 severity levels. The objective of this study was to review studies examining various forms of hair loss (HL) and their association with COVID-19 infection. Methods: We searched related databases from the beginning to August 21st, 2023, identifying systematic reviews and meta-analyses investigating the association between COVID-19 and hair loss. Additionally, to identify potentially overlooked publications and unpublished data, we manually reviewed the reference lists of eligible articles. Results: Our findings shed light on the average time interval between the contraction of the COVID- 19 virus and the onset of HL, suggesting a notable window that might be significant for clinicians and patients. For the studies that reported age, the average age ranged from 37 to 54.5 years. Out of the study population, 5775 people experienced hair loss. The average duration between contracting COVID-19 and the onset of hair loss ranged from 53.5 to 74 days in studies. Conclusion: It is equally important to observe the correlation between the severity of COVID-19 infections, the emergence of hair loss, and any underlying comorbidities. However, more studies are needed to evaluate hair loss following the COVID-19 outbreak.