What Causes Hair Loss After Covid?

As the global SARS Cov-2 Covid pandemic progressed, people learned more about the range of symptoms that people with the virus could present. While the immediate symptoms like shortness of breath, high temperature and coughing were quickly noticed, the prolonged effects of Covid are only now becoming more apparent.  Loss of taste/smell along with fatigue are commonly reported as long term side effects of contracting the virus, but hair loss has also become an increasingly prevalent symptom of Covid-19 infection. Even celebrities have been reporting on this side effect of Covid. Here we will outline the reasons behind hair loss as a result of the virus and how it can be combatted.

Summary

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1. Physical Triggers Causing Covid Hair Loss
2. Emotional Triggers Causing Covid Hair Loss
3. Recovery and Treatment for Hair Loss After Covid
4. Conclusion

Physical Triggers Causing Covid Hair Loss

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Due to the increase in body temperature from contracting a fever as a result of the virus, the body is put in a state of shock as part of physical stresses. As a result of this, telogen effluvium or sudden hair loss can occur. Here, the body is put in a stressful situation and causes hair that is usually in the growth stage to go into the resting phase instead. This results in an increase in the amount of hair that is shed, from 10% to up to 50%. 

While the severity of the hair loss can vary, it is not dependent on the intensity of the virus. Those who experience mild symptoms can end up shedding a large amount of hair and vice versa. As the body is placed under stress, nutrients are diverted to vital organs and hair growth is not positioned as a priority. 

Alopecia Areata

Studies have revealed that the virus can lead to another kind of hair loss that is more patchy rather than the straightforward shedding. Theories have suggested that the Covid virus can overwhelm the immune system, causing it to see the hair as a foreign object and attack it. This malfunction of the immune system is known as alopecia areata.

Thyroid Function

The virus can have hormonal or nutritional impacts on your body, causing an imbalance in regular function. For example, studies have reported that Covid can cause irregularities in the thyroid gland. This can manifest as swelling in the neck with pain when swallowing. Both an underactive and overactive thyroid can cause issues relating to hair loss, so it’s important to speak to a specialist if you are concerned about your thyroid gland.

Emotional Triggers Causing Covid Hair Loss

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It’s not only physical triggers on the body that can cause hair loss. Due to the pandemic, emotional triggers have also resulted in hair loss from Covid. The cells in the hair follicles are altered at the base, which inhibits the molecules required for the healthy growth of hair. This is because of an increase in male hormone production, which is secreted from the adrenal gland. 

The increase in stress can place the hair follicles into the resting phase prematurely. The stress of losing hair can have a compounding effect, causing further hair loss once the first hair shedding occurs.

Hair Loss Without Contracting the Virus

Because of the global pandemic, it was not only those who had contracted the virus who were experiencing hair loss, but also an increase in generalised telogen effluvium. The increase in stress has additionally affected those who haven’t been exposed to Covid. Whether from the isolation of quarantining, losing a job or a loved one, hair loss from this stress has been reported alongside from those who have experienced the illness.

Recovery and Treatment for Hair Loss After Covid

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While there has been variations in the onset and recovery from this form of telogen effluvium, it has typically been observed that the shedding occurs more quickly than a regular case. It is often perceived that people will begin to lose hair 3 months after the inciting incident with telogen effluvium. However, studies have shown that people start losing hair from covid between just 45 – 60 days after contracting the virus. This has also had an impact on the recovery time, with reports showing a much faster recuperation of hair in 2-3 months as opposed to the typical 6 months. 

Severity of hair loss

Those who are suffering from acute hair loss are advised to monitor the shedding to observe its severity. This can be done simply by brushing the hair for 60 seconds and collecting the hairs to see how many are lost on a routine basis. Over time, you can gather if the shedding is improving or not. Experts have noted that this has also contributed to bettering stress management, which helps to reduce further hair loss.

Even after regrowth occurs, you may notice that the hair does not appear as thick as it was. Since hair grows slowly, it can take up to two years for someone with shoulder-length hair for lost hair to reach that length again. This may be more noticeable in women than men, but it can affect either gender.

Chronic Telogen Effluvium and Long Covid

While not common, in less than 10% of those suffering from telogen effluvium, it can become chronic. If the shedding phase continues for longer than 6 months, it may be cause for further concern. This can last for years and has been observed as a possible symptom for long Covid patients. While the body is still undergoing stress due to sustained illness, hair loss can be seen to continue. 

Even if you are experiencing chronic telogen effluvium, all the hair will not fall out, since the proportion of hair loss will not exceed the aforementioned 50%.

Treatment Options

For those with a regular case of telogen effluvium, the hair loss should clear up on its own. Once the body has processed the stress trigger (the virus), new hair will start to grow. It’s important to ensure there are no other issues that could be contributing to the hair loss from Covid, such as a nutrient deficiency or hormone irregularity, so you should consult your doctor if you suspect this to perform tests. 

The right hair care products are crucial to supporting your hair as it regrows. Check out our range of products if you are looking for paraben and silicon free solutions for healthy, strong hair.

For those with sustained or chronic telogen effluvium, you may need to look towards medical therapies to help bridge the gap between hair loss and regrowth. Products like minoxidil can be beneficial in encouraging regrowth during this time, as it will only continue as long as the product is in use. If you are struggling with regrowth over a longer period of time, a hair transplant provides a long term solution for permanent hair growth in affected areas.

Conclusion

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Hair loss after Covid has been noticed more and more frequently, as studies on the long term effects of the virus have shown. While it will often clear up on its own, there are solutions you can take to aid hair growth or even just support the growth of the new hairs. Our range of products are designed to aid in the regrowth of hair and make it stronger and healthier as well. If you’re concerned about persistent hair loss, then contact one of our experts today to see if you are eligible for a hair transplant.