In the past six months, several studies about the coronavirus infection have shown that while the disease itself may not be life-threatening for many, its associated adverse effects are much more harmful. In addition to after-effects such as heart conditions like myocarditis, there are also a number of other changes a person may notice. For instance, losing hair after recovery from coronavirus is very common among all survivors.
Many of the people who had been infected with the virus and successfully treated have reported hair fall even after months of recovering. While this may not be a dangerous symptom, hair loss can affect many people, specifically women, to a certain extent.
People who have hair loss can experience even further shedding due to high-stress levels. In addition, the thinning of hair may also impact self-esteem and confidence levels, thereby leading to an increased risk of developing mental health issues including depression.
However, researchers and health experts have stated that people should not be worried about losing hair after recovery from the coronavirus infection.
Read also: Can Wearing Mask Actually Increase Coronavirus Risk?
This is not because it is not dangerous but because it is actually temporary and hair is bound to grow back after two or three months. In some cases, it can take up to six months but it has been established that the hair will stop falling and re-grow.
Why does this happen? While there is no evidence to show the SARS-CoV-2 can cause hair loss, the present shows that hair fall can increase significantly not only after coronavirus infection but also after several other diseases or other life events.
This is primarily due to emotional and physical distress during the infection. Hair loss is also often experienced by people who undergo surgery, experience high-stress levels, or a traumatic life event such as the death of a loved one, extreme changes in diet that can impact the body, and even the most common and easily treatable illnesses.
More specifically, health experts call the condition ‘telogen effluvium’. The dermatologist at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Dr. Susan Massick, explains that “When there’s a shock to the system, the body goes into lockdown mode and only focuses on essential functions. Hair growth is not as essential as other functions, so you end up with hair shedding,”
Usually, doctors diagnose the condition after checking all other factors that can contribute to hair loss. This includes nutritional deficiencies, allergic reactions to products, certain lifestyle habits, and other health conditions such as thyroid issues. Monitoring a person’s life is essential in the detection of telogen effluvium.
Read more abotu telogen effluvium here.
While hair loss can be difficult to deal with for the majority of the people, it should be noted that the condition is reversible and the hair will grow back though it may take a few months. In most of the cases, medicine and supplements are not required.
Doctors recommend having a balanced diet and improved lifestyle to ensure the new hair is strong and healthy. Within a few months, people who are losing hair after recovery from coronavirus will start seeing growth and overtime will re-gain their hair density.