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Review
. 2022 Jun:7:57-61.
doi: 10.1016/j.jdin.2022.02.002. Epub 2022 Feb 10.

Association between alopecia areata and COVID-19: A systematic review

Rachel E Christensen  1 , Mohammad Jafferany  2
Affiliations
Review

Association between alopecia areata and COVID-19: A systematic review

Rachel E Christensen et al. JAAD Int. 2022 Jun.

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 may play a role in various immune-related dermatologic conditions. The relationship between COVID-19 and alopecia areata remains unclear.

Objective: To review the existing literature for clinical studies and reports investigating the association between new-onset alopecia areata or the exacerbation of preexisting alopecia areata following infection with SARS-CoV-2.

Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed using PubMed, Embase, and MEDLINE databases from inception to October 2021. Included articles assessed alopecia areata following infection with SARS-CoV-2.

Results: Of 402 total articles, 9 were identified as meeting the inclusion criteria. Six articles described case reports of 7 patients with new-onset alopecia areata following confirmed infection with SARS-CoV-2, and 3 articles reported on alopecia areata recurrence or exacerbation following SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with preexisting disease. Studies investigating the exacerbation or recurrence of alopecia areata following infection reported mixed findings.

Limitations: A majority of the included studies were case reports. The heterogeneity of articles precluded data synthesis.

Conclusion: Alopecia areata may be a dermatologic manifestation of COVID-19, with cases most often appearing 1 to 2 months following infection. Additional research is necessary to better elucidate the relationship and draw conclusions.

Keywords: AA; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; alopecia areata; inflammation.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

None disclosed.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1
Flow diagram of the systematic study selection process.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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