Bald men at higher risk of severe cases of coronavirus, research finds
BALD men are much more likely to suffer severe coronavirus symptoms, experts have warned.
The link between baldness and severe symptoms is so strong that many researchers are calling for it to be considered a risk factor.
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The leader of the major study at Brown University, Prof. Carlos Wambier, said: "We really think that baldness is a perfect predictor of severity."
If the link is confirmed then it could be a gamechanger for treating coronavirus patients and could drastically reduce the number of men dying from the disease.
Results from the study showed that bald men are disproportionately vulnerable to dying of coronavirus because of their hormones.
Past research and statistical analysis by Public Health England has shown that men are twice as likely as women to die of coronavirus.
BALD MEN ARE TWICE AS LIKELY TO DIE
Scientists now believe that men's vulnerability is because of male sex hormones called androgens, which include testosterone.
Androgens cause hair loss and also act as a "gateway" to boost coronavirus's ability to attack cells.
If the theory checks out then hormone suppressants that are currently used to treat prostate cancer and baldness could also be used to give men a better chance at kicking the deadly bug.
The findings from Brown confirm past studies that found similar cause and effect with patients all over the world.
Similar smaller studies in Spain showed that bald men made up 79 per cent of male Covid-19 hospitalisations in three Madrid hospitals.
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Scientists have also found similar results in women who are losing their hair due to androgens.
Another Italian study found that men who were being treated for prostate cancer with androgen-deprivation therapy were four times less likely to catch coronavirus as patients on other treatments.
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