Bald men may be at higher risk of hospitalisation from coronavirus
A study in Spain notes the relatively high level of men with male-pattern baldness being hospitalised with Covid-19.
Men infected with Covid-19 and who have male-pattern baldness may be more likely to be hospitalised, according to an observational study by experts in Spain.
The study noted the high frequency of men with male-pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) being hospitalised with coronavirus. Male-pattern baldness is the most common form of hair loss among men.
The study looked at the prevalence of baldness in patients hospitalised for coronavirus between 23 March and 6 April at two hospitals in Spain.
According to dermatologist Alba Gómez, one of the experts involved in the study, "patients with severe androgenetic alopecia, a disease which can be diagnosed easily and visually, may be susceptible to the more severe forms of the coronavirus." The study argues studying the hair may help understand the disease and help with the detection of more severe risks arising from contracting Covid-19.
Possible coronavirus treatments; more studies required
The study calls for further investigation, with the hope that some treatments for baldness, such as finasteride, might offer some protection against coronavirus, if it can be shown that male hormones involved in causing male pattern baldness increase the risk of suffering worse symptoms from the coronavirus.