Evaluation of the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on hair diseases through a web-based questionnaire

Abstract

Aim: Current quarantine conditions are a difficult process for individuals and can worsen the psychological state. Increased psychosocial stress can affect the course of many common “stress-sensitive” skin conditions. This study examined the possible effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on hair and scalp diseases such as telogen effluvium (TE), alopecia areata (AA), and seborrheic dermatitis (SD) in individuals who had to stay at home for a long time and the patients' methods of dealing with these diseases. Methods: The study was conducted using an online questionnaire. All the individuals were asked questions about pre- and post-pandemic TE, AA, and SD. Participants with complaints were asked what they did for treatment. Results: During the pandemic, TE was seen in 27.9% of the participants, AA on the scalp was seen in 2.8%, AA on the face was seen in 2.5%, and SD was seen in 19.9%. Applying to a dermatologist for complaints during the pandemic was lower than before pandemic. TE was higher in women before and during the pandemic. Conclusion: It was found that the rates of referring to a dermatologist for the complaints before the pandemic varied between 15% and 28% and that these rates decreased significantly during the pandemic (2.5%-12.5%).