The COVID-19 pandemic has taken the whole world in its evil clutches. A huge number of people around the globe have lost their lives to this deadly virus and others who have managed to survive it are also witnessing its cruel after-effects. Some people are finding it hard to breathe while others are facing some of the very unusual problems like hair fall due to this virus.
Here we are going to tell you everything related to COVID-19 and its connection with hair fall.
In the past few months, the patients who have recovered from COVID-19 have reported that they have lost a significant amount of hair in a month after recovering from this uncanny infection. These bizarre findings have left the experts awestruck!
But the question which arises in everyone’s mind is that what are the reasons behind the increase in hair fall after suffering/surviving from COVID-19?
How Does COVID-19 lead to hair loss?
Some of the researchers and doctors believe that hair loss caused by the COVID-19 might be due to the shock that is faced by the body due to high fever and other symptoms, which may or may not be directly connected to the virus.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, some of the common causes of hair loss include age; stress, hormonal imbalances, genetics, medication, and various other health conditions are also responsible for it.
Lisa caddy who is a consultant trichologist at Philip Kingsley Trichological Clinic tells that, a lot of energy of is utilized during the formation of hair, but during severe illness like COVID-19, the body channelizes this energy towards other vital functions to cope with the disease which subsequently leads to shutting down of cell division of hairs temporarily resulting in hair fall.
During this period body may kick some of the hair follicles out of their growth phase into a resting phase where they lay dormant for around three months, after which they start to shed.
This kind of temporary hair loss is known as ‘Telogen Effluvium’. It usually leads to hair loss on the top of the scalp, but it can also affect other portions of the head.
Telogen Effluvium is responsible for severe hair problems but very little research is being conducted to understand its root cause and find a proper cure for it. This type of hair loss is reversible and the lost hairs generally grow back within six months, however, it might take more than one year in some rare cases.
A lot of studies have been conducted on this subject in the past but, till now experts have no clear answer to one question that, why some people are more susceptible to hair loss as a possible side effect of COVID-19 while others are not?
It is believed that different peoples have different genetics and their immune system also react differently in response to the attack of the virus. It has also been found out that people with lower vitamin-D and Ferritin levels in the body are more susceptible to hair fall due to COVID-19. Some blood types also play a crucial role in making people more susceptible to COVID-19 and it’s after-effects. So the answer to the question is that yes a few people might suffer from hair loss due to Covid-19 but a lot of research is still required on this topic hence one must undertake every possibility and take care of their hair.
What could be done to treat this kind of hair loss?
According to the experts, you must focus on eating a balanced and healthy diet and take the necessary amount of vitamins to promote the growth of hair. A nutritious diet along with other healthy lifestyle habits such as proper sleep, regular exercise, and stress management might prove to be handy in managing hair fall and improving your overall health too.
While most cases related to telogen Effluvium, it resolves on their own after some time, but if you find that your hair loss isn’t going away and it’s worsening, it is advised to visit a trichologist/doctor who specializes in the study of the hair and scalp. If you feel like suffering from hair loss as an aftereffect of COVID-19 or any other reason, you can visit the best hair fall doctor in Jaipur ‘Dr. Jai Bansal’ who is an expert in hair fall treatment and runs his clinic named Dr.Hair India clinic. This clinic is known for providing the best hair loss treatment in India and Jaipur.
If you want to know more about how to reduce hair fall read our other blog.
