Understanding Hair Loss After COVID-19

Hair Loss Cycle

There is a phenomenon commonly known as Telogen Effluvium. In this phenomenon, people who experienced hair loss due to covid-19 infection noticed hair falling out in clumps even during combing and hair washing. Around 90% of our hair strands on the scalp are in their growing phase, known as anagen, and around 10% of our hair strands are in their resting phase, known as telogen. The anagen phase lasts for about 3 years on our scalp, and then it transitions into telogen, which lasts for around 2-6 months. When the telogen phase ends, our hair strands begin to shed their follicles and eventually get replaced by brand-new anagen hair strands. This is how the process of hair growth cycle continues.

A study has found that, on average, individuals shed approximately 100-150 hair strands a day. But if they go through a stressful event like COVID-19, their bodies can experience a premature end of the anagen phase and more than a normal proportion of hair strands going into the rest state known as the telogen phase. A dermatologist mentioned during her research that instead of the usual 10% hair shedding, about 50% of hair strands were resting and shedding, which is way more than usual. Hair loss at this unpredictable rate is referred to as Alopecia, and various hair loss medications are available to help with it.

Triggers of Hair Loss

• Surgery

• Viral Infections

• Childbirth

• Hospitalization

• Chronic disease-related medications

• Hormonal medications

• Entering menopause

• Thyroid dysfunction

• Significant emotional stress

Hair Loss and Covid

Did you know that Telogen effluvium, a type of hair loss, can occur for many reasons? It's not just limited to COVID. It can happen after surgery, hospitalization, hormonal changes, and even stress. COVID can lead to stress and hospitalization, which is why some people may experience hair loss. For COVID patients, physical stressors can be mild or severe, depending on the symptoms. Mental stressors can also take a toll on your body and can impact your thinking. They can alter and increase hormone production, which helps place the hair follicle stem cells into an extended resting phase. It can also alter the cells placed at the base of the hair strands called dermal papilla and restrain molecules responsible for hair growth. It's important to note that the severity of hair loss doesn't always correlate with the severity of illness. For example, even individuals with mild COVID symptoms may experience significant hair loss, while others with more severe symptoms may only experience mild hair loss. 

How long does Hair Loss after COVID-19 last?

The good news is that most cases of telogen effluvium get over in around 3-6 months. It happens when the additional hair strands that had shifted into the telogen phase have shed. According to the doctors, this retrieval happens after the covid-19 infection has been treated. The hair strands will slowly move back to their original place when the Covid-19 period gets over. Telogen effluvium will not cause loss of hair follicles even when there is temporary hair loss. It's not uncommon for patients to notice that their hair is not as thick as it used to be, even after shedding has stopped. Doctors say this is due to the slow rate at which hair grows, which is about a centimeter a month on average. In cases where someone has shoulder-length hair, it can take over two years for new hair strands to reach that length again and for a ponytail to feel full once more. However, in less than 10 percent of cases, patients may experience chronic telogen effluvium, which causes severe hair shedding that can persist for over 6 months. This can last a few months to a few years; usually, no apparent cause can be found. Completeonlinepharmacy's online pharmacist will be able to provide you with the best hair loss treatments in such cases. It's worth noting that chronic telogen effluvium can be a symptom for long COVID patients. This is likely due to their bodies' significant stress and the fact that they are still not back to normal. Thankfully, according to doctors, patients will not lose all their hair if they experience chronic telogen effluvium because the loss of telogen hair strands never exceeds 50 percent.

Home Remedies for Hair Loss After Covid

• Do de-stressing and involve yourself in activities you enjoy.

• Include iron rich food items in your diet; it will help restore hair growth.

• Apply coconut oil or massage your head with coconut milk.

• Massage your head with aloe vera.

• Apply beetroot leaves paste on the scalp.

• To increase protein content, massage your head with fenugreek paste.

• Mix amla powder with lemon juice to apply to your scalp.

Conclusion

Dealing with hair loss due to telogen effluvium can be challenging, but it's important to remember that it's usually temporary. However, the regrowth process can take some time, as hair grows on average at one centimeter per month. If you have shoulder-length hair, it may take up to 2.5 years to feel normal again. During this time, practicing good lifestyle habits, such as managing anxiety and stress, avoiding aggressive hair treatments, and maintaining a healthy diet, is important. While treatment may not be necessary, your dermatologist may recommend over-the-counter medications, multivitamins or supplements, or hairstyles and wigs to help you cope with hair loss. You can also check out hair loss prescription drugs like Finpecia (oral tablet) and Minoxidil (Rogaine solution) if you are not able to treat your condition with home remedies and the hair fall is excessive. The most important thing is to be patient and give your hair time to recover.