TLDR Escitalopram helped a woman with hair-pulling due to long COVID.
This case report describes a 53-year-old woman who developed trichotillomania (TTM) as a symptom of long COVID, characterized by compulsive hair-pulling leading to hair loss. The patient, who had no prior psychiatric history, began exhibiting symptoms such as irritability, restlessness, and hair-pulling one week after contracting COVID-19. Upon admission to the hospital, she was treated with escitalopram, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), which led to significant improvement in her symptoms. Her hair gradually regrew, and she was discharged after approximately 3 months. This case suggests that TTM in long COVID may be effectively treated with escitalopram, although further research is needed to understand the pathophysiology and treatment of TTM and long COVID.
September 2023 in “Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971 -)” About 61% of women who had COVID-19 experienced hair loss afterward.
219 citations
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September 2016 in “American Journal of Psychiatry” Trichotillomania is different from OCD and is best treated with habit reversal therapy and specific medications.
January 2009 in “Springer eBooks” The document concludes that treating skin conditions should include psychological care and a multidisciplinary approach is essential for effective management.
3 citations
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January 2010 in “Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas” Psychotropic drugs can help treat skin conditions affected by mental health, but dermatologists must use them carefully due to side effects and patient concerns.
8 citations
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October 2020 in “Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience” rTMS may help treat trichotillomania in some patients.
1 citations
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December 2014 in “Klinik Psikofarmakoloji Bülteni-Bulletin of Clinical Psychopharmacology” Adding aripiprazole to the treatment improved hair-pulling symptoms in a teenager.
23 citations
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April 2017 in “Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology” Dermatologists should screen for and manage psychological issues in patients with skin conditions to improve their quality of life.
