Many people didn’t see this coming, but then they noticed that their hair was falling out after recovering from COVID-19. Suffice to say that this isn’t a strange occurrence, and we will explain why.
How Does COVID Affect Hair Loss?
One of the common symptoms of COVID-19 is fever. Usually, people recovering from fever or any illness experience noticeable hair loss. However, “hair loss” is a wrong term for what happens to your hair during illness. The correct term is hair shedding, medically called telogen effluvium.
Telogen effluvium is a medical condition that occurs when more hairs are forced into the shedding phase of one’s hair growth cycle, especially as a result of illness, fever, or emotional distress. According to a dermatologist at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, when your body system experiences shock, which could be in the form of illness and emotional distress, the body locks down and only pays attention to essential body functions. Hair growth doesn’t fall within those functions, hence the hair shedding phase.
In essence, telogen effluvium is a regular occurrence after COVID-19 infection that usually occurs about three months after the illness.
A study was carried out between September 2020 and March 2021 to confirm the diagnosis of telogen effluvium in post COVID-19 patients. Thirty-nine patients were assessed using a hair pull test, and it was discovered that they all showed symptoms of extreme hair loss two to three months after recovery. Besides the fact that COVID-19 is capable of causing hair loss in patients, the stress associated with the illness – and any other kind of illness – can also trigger hair shedding. Also, non-COVID patients who felt anxious and stressed during the pandemic might experience a certain degree of hair loss. This is because the state of one’s mental health can also cause people to shed or lose hair.
The hair shedding process of this category of people is similar to COVID-19 patients. Their hair starts shedding within two to three months after they begin to experience stress.
How Long Does COVID-Induced Hair Loss Last?
Based on the study aforementioned, post COVID-19 patients experience hair shedding two to three months after the illness. During this period, these people will see their hair coming off in large clumps, especially after a shower or brushing their hair.
This process usually lasts anywhere between six and nine months. Afterward, they will notice an obvious change as their hair stops shedding and becomes normal again.
How Do You Cope With COVID-Induced Hair Loss?
Anyone experiencing telogen effluvium can lose up to 300 hairs each day for about six months. This is a lot to take in, and few people handle this experience well. Hair loss is an emotional event for many people, which is understandable.
Thankfully, telogen effluvium is not a permanent situation, and after a while, your hair will begin to grow back again. Still, you have to note that hair growth is a slow process, so it might take a while before your hair returns to its original length and fullness.
While this is happening, you can try out hair regrowth products and supplements. You should consider getting REVITA High-Performance Hair Stimulating Shampoo and REVITA Nutraceutical Tablets for Hair Growth Support. These products are clinically proven, so they aren’t like the regular over-the-counter products that don’t work. REVITA products are dermatologist recommended, so users can be sure that they don’t contain harsh ingredients that may harm your hair.
While using hair regrowth products, you should also try to maintain a healthy lifestyle. You can do this by eating well, taking in enough water, and avoiding stressful activities as much as you can. Doing all these will contribute to your hair regrowth journey and speed up the process. At this point, it is also advisable to consult a certified dermatologist, especially if it looks like your hair isn’t getting back to normal after six to nine months. Also, note that telogen effluvium doesn’t cause itching or rashes, so if you’re experiencing any of these, something else could be going on. You would need to seek medical attention.
Finally, patients need to understand and remember that telogen effluvium is only a process that won’t last forever. They need to do this so that they don’t worry too much that they’re losing their hair, which might worsen the situation. Stress brought on by hair loss can also be as bad as the hair loss itself. Once they accept that this is a phase and that they aren’t going bald, they will be able to handle the situation better and work towards adopting a lifestyle that will encourage hair growth.