The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the novel coronavirus, seems to remain unabated as global death toll touches 4 lakhs. Almost 7 million people have been hit by this deadly virus all over the world, while in India, the number of infected people stands at 2.5 lakhs. The mortality burden of the COVID-19 pandemic in India is currently above 7,000. From the very beginning, the novel coronavirus has perplexed researchers and doctors with its behaviour, in terms of symptoms, response to treatments and many other factors. However, one thing that has remained consistent so far, is the fact that this virus hits men harder than women. Now, a new research has come up with another finding that makes this evidence even stronger: Bald men are more vulnerable to severe COVID-19 symptoms.
Male pattern baldness and COVID-19 infection: What’s the link?
A team of researchers at the Brown University observed that male pattern baldness increases the risk of men developing severe COVID-19 symptoms. Lead author of this study, Dr. Carlos Wambier is of the opinion that androgen, the male hormone responsible for baldness in men, could be a potential entry point of the novel coronavirus in their cells. Apart from this Dr. Wambier and team had conducted two separate studies in Spain which also suggest that there could be a strong correlation between male baldness and COVID-19. One of those studies, published in the American Academy of Dermatology, reviewed 122 COVID-19 positive men who were admitted to hospitals in Madrid. The findings revealed that 79% of them were bald. The second study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology also found that 71% of COVID-19 patients they reviewed had male pattern baldness. However, no conclusive opinion can be drawn out of these findings. More research and evidences are required for a definitive conclusion.
OTHER FACTORS THAT INCREASE COVID-19 RISK OF MEN
There are various factors that up the risk of COVID-19 in men. Here are a few of them.
High volume of ACE2 receptors
It has been found that the novel coronavirus needs a protein called ACE2 receptors to bind, multiply and spread when sneaking into your system. These proteins are harboured mostly in the lungs, heart and intestines. A recent research carried out in New York and Mumbai found that testicles of men house ACE2 receptors in large quantities. This allows the novel coronavirus to stay for a longer duration in them. The research also noted that the prevalence of ACE2 receptors were far less in the ovaries of women. Moreover, smoking, a habit more common in men than women, can also increase the risk of COVID-19 infection in the male population, suggest some studies. This is because the smoke of cigarettes increases the volume of ACE2 receptors in lungs, the organ which the novel coronavirus mostly hits.
Genetic make-up
Unlike women, men have only one X chromosome per cell, instead of two. This chromosome houses significant numbers of immune genes, including the one for a protein called TLR7. This helps doctors detect single-stranded RNA viruses like the novel coronavirus. Since women have a higher count of this gene, thanks to 2 X chromosomes per cell (instead one like men), the response of their immune cells to the COVID-19 infection is better than men.
Low hygiene standards
Global evidences suggest that men are less serious about their hygiene standards than women. So, they falter while it comes to following protective measures like hand washing, cough etiquette, etc. This is also one of the factors that make men more vulnerable to the COVID-19 infection.