Can COVID-19 cause hair loss? There is a lot about COVID that we simply do not know. That includes how it impacts our lives long term. If you have had COVID, then you may be dealing with a wide range of illnesses and complications from it. Some of these may not go away quickly. Some people have reported hair loss occurring, especially after they recover from the condition. How do the two relate? What can be done about it?
Why You Lose Hair with COVID
The most likely cause of hair loss during COVID-19 is due to the stress the condition places on the body as a whole. Any time there is a significant illness, the immune system’s focus is on that illness. As a result of this, hair growth becomes less important. The switch to focusing on healing the body is prominent. That also means that the hair growth cycle is interrupted.
Any time a person has a high fever or a significant illness of any type, it is likely that some hair loss will occur. That does not mean a person will lose a lot of hair – the amount depends on many factors. This is called hair shedding or telogen effluvium. That simply means that there is more hair than normal in the shedding phase of the hair growth cycle.
Most commonly, a person may notice this significant hair loss occurring two or three months after they have had COVID. You may notice a lot of hair coming out when showering or brushing. This may seem worrisome, but it does not have to be.
Most often, this hair shedding can last for a few months, but in some cases may last up to nine months. Most people will see this continue until their hair growth cycle is caught up again.
Stress Can Be a Factor
While the sudden onset of an illness like this may be a big part of the onset of hair loss, stress can also play a role in this process. Many people who are facing the emotional stress brought on by COVID-19 are also at risk for a significant amount of hair loss. The same situation is likely to occur. You may notice clumps of hair coming out. Your hair may seem much thinner than it was. This is an indication of the onset of stress, which interrupts the hair growth cycle.
The first step here is to focus on self care – find ways to reduce the amount of stress you have each day. Then, in a few months, you are likely to see improvements occurring. That means your hair will start to regrow within a few months.
How to Help Hair Loss from COVID
If you are experiencing the onset of a significant amount of hair loss after having COVID-19, there is good news. It is expected that most people will see their hair return to normal once the hair growth cycle is back on track. As noted, this can take 3 to 6 months for most people, sometimes longer. In the meantime, there are a few things you can do to ensure the best possible chance at regrowing your hair.
- Reduce the amount of stress in your life. Stress could lead to a long term of hair loss. You may find it very difficult to recover quickly if you are under constant stress.
- Eat a nutrient-based diet. Focus on a variety of vegetables and fruits for the best level of hair growth boosting potential.
- Protect the hair you have. That means making sure that you are not stressing your hair significantly with over processing it or using heat applications on it.
If you have lost a significant amount of hair loss and it is noticeable, you can work with your hairstylist to determine the best way to boost the volume of hair you have. The good news is you do not have to do anything too crazy yet. Most people will see their hair grow back to their normal length and health within a matter of a few months. To learn more, contact the team at Unique Hair Concepts for a complimentary hair and scalp analysis.
