COVID-19: Is Hair Loss a New Consequence of Coronavirus?

Talking about the new consequence of COVID-19, patients who have recovered from COVID-19 are found to be more vulnerable to hair loss. The U.S Center for Disease and Prevention (CDC) doesn't include hair loss as one of the symptoms of COVID-19 but as a consequence of the infection. They stated that there is an increasing number of COVID-19 patients experiencing hair loss, even months after their recovery from the disease. Furthermore, the connection between COVID-19 and hair loss is starting to be reported and recognised in many countries.

Dermatologists say that hair loss can be due to various factors like genetics, age, hormonal imbalance, medications, nutritional conditions, and of course stress. Dermatologists and experts say that hair loss in COVID-19 patients is due to a condition called Telogen effluvium. Telogen effluvium is a condition of temporary hair loss due to the result of an abnormal shift in the hair follicle growth cycle. It involves excessive shedding of hairs and not the typical 50 to 100 hairs that people lose daily.

Hair loss in COVID-19 patients may not be due to the virus, but relatively due to the shock the body experiences due to COVID. This abrupt shock forces the hair to stop growing and leads to resting and shedding.

Usually, hair loss due to Telogen effluvium is a delayed process, that's the reason why COVID-19 patients start losing their hair after a couple of weeks or months after they recover from the coronavirus. Patients' can temporally lose as much as 50% of their hair and the shedding is expected to decrease during the following six to nine months. This condition generally resolves on its own, unless it is related to medication or deficiency.

However, with COVID-19, there's always a monition that we don't understand. Some people can be extremely sick, but do not experience any hair loss, whereas some can have only mild symptoms, but still experience bad hair loss after their recovery. So, if you are a recovered COVID-19 patient and are experiencing hair loss, you can visit a dermatologist.

Even if you haven't tested positive for COVID-19, you might experience hair loss. This might be due to pandemic and lockdown related stress. You might experience financial stress due to job loss, anxiety about contracting the virus, mental stress due to changes to your work, and all that extra work you do home. To be stress-free and get relieved from your anxiety, read Fine Fettle article on "Prevention Is Better Than Cure: Know How Coronavirus Spreads And How Can You Protect Yourself?"

Hair loss can add up to your stress because it is something you see daily. It is also a person's identity. So when a person starts losing hair they become more upset. It can have a greater impact on your confidence and self-esteem. But, you don't need to be worried or embarrassed and you can handle it on your own.

Although a lot of over-the-counter medications can help you regrow your hair faster, nutrition plays a vital role when it comes to hair loss. Eating a well-balanced diet that is rich in iron, biotin, and Vitamin D can help you in overcoming your hair loss problem quickly. To know more about the best foods for hair loss, you can visit our blog "Which food can stop hair fall?".

In the meantime, you can also practice yoga, meditation, and follow an exercise routine to prevent stress-induced hair loss.

If you experience hair loss after recovering from COVID-19, consult a healthcare provider to ensure that you are not deficient in any nutrients and vitamins. Patience and time can turn everything to be positive. Follow a healthy, balanced diet, have patience, continue your normal hair care, and give your body enough time to heal and recover.

Stay Home, Stay Safe, Stay Healthy, Stay Happy!