Question

A 35-year-old woman presents to you with hair loss for the past three months. She tested positive for COVID-19 eight months ago. What is the most likely diagnosis?

• A. Tinea capitis
• B. Telogen effluvium
• C. Trichotillomania
• D. Female – pattern androgenic alopecia

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

The woman in the scenario is experiencing hair loss that started three months after recovering from COVID-19. This temporal pattern suggests a potential disruption in the hair growth cycle caused by the physiological stress of the illness. The condition called "Telogen effluvium" is a common cause of diffuse hair shedding occurring after a physical or emotional stressor, such as illness, surgery, or a significant stress event. The characteristic feature of telogen effluvium is the timing of hair loss, typically occurring 2-3 months after the inciting event, aligning with the timeline described.

Explanation:

• Tinea capitis: This is a fungal infection of the scalp that typically presents with patchy hair loss, scaling, and inflammation. It is more common in children.
• Telogen effluvium: A temporary hair loss condition where more hairs enter the telogen (resting) phase following a stressor, leading to diffuse shedding a few months post-event.
• Trichotillomania: A psychiatric disorder characterized by compulsive hair pulling, leading to irregular patches of hair loss, not generalized shedding.
• Female-pattern androgenic alopecia: A genetic form of hair loss causing gradual thinning over time, often presenting with specific patterns like thinning on crown or widening part.

Considering the timeline and event, the most likely diagnosis is Telogen effluvium.