The second wave of the pandemic in India might have subsided but the underlying health complications are, unfortunately, still yet to be faced. With all the health complications people are experiencing after their recovery from the novel coronavirus, another disturbing one that adds to the issue is the fact that more people are now noticing a significant amount of hair loss or hair shedding! If we have learned anything from this dreadful pandemic over the past months, it is to expect the unexpected; and that seems to include hair loss or hair shedding in this matter!
Seeing clumps of hair falling after combing your hair could be quite a shocking experience to go through. In fact, shedding or losing hair is never a joyful experience but this is exactly what most people have gone through after their recovery from the deadly COVID-19. Over the past months, many people who have recovered from COVID-19 are experiencing an increased level of hairfall. It has, in fact, emerged as one of the most frequently reported syndromes in patients recovering from COVID-19, especially in India as is evident in the reports from doctors from Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Delhi that there has been “a 100% rise in complaints of hair loss among the novel coronavirus patients since the onset of the second wave of the pandemic.” According to the doctors, these cases of massive hair loss are mostly experienced by Covid-19 patients a month to 90 days after recovering from the virus but it is also experienced during the infection period as well.
What causes hair to shed?
It is completely normal for a person to lose around 100 strands of hair in a day, but hair loss due to COVID-19 can increase up to 300-400 or more on an average day, which can be quite alarming. Experts have termed this as Telogen Effluvium which is a condition that usually occurs after a stressful event such as emotional distress, anxiety, major surgery, or high fevers.
Telogen Effluvium and Covid-19
Telogen Effluvium describes a condition when more hairs than normal enter the shedding (telogen) phase of the hair growth cycle at the same time, which can last for up to six to nine months before it stops. With that being said, factors like physical and emotional stress, and Covid-19 symptoms like fever and illness are known to make the condition much worse, resulting in more hairs into this shedding phase. And since stress and high fever are the common accompaniment of the novel coronavirus, it is evident and fitting that hair loss or hair shedding would be a common condition most people experience.
Nonetheless, apart from stress, anxiety and fever during the infection, deficiencies due to change in dietary habits, sudden hormonal changes and persistent post-Covid inflammatory reactions are some of the reasons for loss of large volumes of hair. Especially with people who have suffered from the novel coronavirus, during their recovery, the body uses all the available resources and distribute them to all the main organs. Hair, skin and nail do not receive the required nutrients. This is also the reason why many experiences extreme hair fall.
Coping With Post-Covid Hair Loss
Fortunately, Hair loss due to conditions like Telogen Effluvium is temporary in nature, and the hair will eventually grow back. However, it may take up to 6 months or more to achieve its original fullness and length. In the meantime, there are several ways you can help promote healthy hair regrowth after your Covid recovery.
- Finding ways to manage stress is an important part of the hair regrowth journey. Stressing over hair loss can only add more to the problem. Remember that conditions like telogen effluvium are temporary and that hair will grow back eventually. Doing the things you enjoy, meditating, practising yoga, etc. can be of great help when it comes to managing stress. Taking natural nutritional supplements to help deal with stress and anxiety is also an excellent solution in times like this. You can check out Preserva’s Daily Calm Tea & Stresaway Tablets for that!
- Adopting a well-balanced, nutrient-rich diet is crucial to help restore any nutritional deficiencies you might have while battling with the virus. Foods rich in protein and iron should be included as they can help in reducing hair fall.
- It is also important to remain active during this time. Regular exercise –be it intense or moderate –is essential for enhancing blood circulation, which helps secrete endorphins or the happy hormones that help enhance hair regrowth in the body.
- Using the right hair care can also play a huge role in preventing excessive hair loss. Make sure to use mild, paraben and sulphate-free shampoos and conditioners that do not aggravate the scalp.
- Occasional oiling and deep massaging the head and nourishing essential oil can help regulate blood circulation and help nourish the scalp, thereby supporting healthy hair growth. Check out Preserva Tressgold Oil for that.
- Taking hair-healthy natural supplements that contain the right nutrients, including amino acids, antioxidants and multivitamins essential for hair health can be a great way to support healthy, stronger hair growth.
For that, you may want to try Preserva’s Tressgold Tablets which has the perfect blend of 10 brilliant Ayurvedic herbs and spices that enables hair growth and provides essential nutrients to the body that nourishes the scalp and hair to boost hair growth and improve hair quality.
The Bottom Line
Losing a massive amount of hair has become a concern among those who have recovered from the coronavirus, or those who are currently dealing with it. Symptoms relating to the virus, such as high fever, nutrient deficiency and stress are to be blamed for this. Experts have termed this condition Telogen effluvium, which is a temporary hair loss condition that occurs after a distressing situation –which, in our case, is the COVID-19. Fortunately, this condition is temporary in nature and is not a permanent thing. However, it can take up to 6 months or more for hairs to grow back to their original state. But there are certain steps you can take to help in this process and the above-given measures can be of great help for that.
With that being said, if you suspect that your hair loss is caused by something more than telogen effluvium, make sure to see a dermatologist to ensure getting the right treatment for your condition.