Temporary hair loss is normal after a fever or illness. Fever is a common symptom of COVID-19. A few months after having a high fever or recovering from an illness, many people see noticeable hair loss. While many people think of this as hair loss, it’s actually hair shedding. The medical name for this type of hair shedding is telogen effluvium.

There are three common cycles in hair’s life cycle. Up to 90% of hair at any time are in the growing phase, 5% are in a resting phase, and up to 10% are shedding. When you have a fever, illness, major stress event or shock, up to 50% of your hair can sprint ahead to the shedding phase.

Most people see noticeable hair shedding two to three months after having a fever or illness. Handfuls of hair can come out when you shower or brush your hair. That’s usually a delayed process due to the hair growth cycle. Hence, after a major event, it can take about 3 to 5 months for you to start noticing the shedding. This hair shedding can last for six to nine months before it stops. Most people then see their hair start to look normal again and stop shedding

Why am I facing more hair loss than usual even though I am not infected by covid?

Stress is a common cause for temporary hair shedding. Even if you never developed a fever or tested positive for COVID-19, you may still experience hair shedding. Emotional stress can also push more hair into the shedding phase. Who isn’t feeling more stressed and anxious during the pandemic? People are getting sick, losing jobs, and dealing with a lot of uncertainty related to their income and well-being. It is normal to feel stressed. If you cannot seem to handle it, please contact a counsellor to treat your symptoms.

How can I combat Covid-related hair loss?

When the cause of your hair shedding is due to a fever, illness, or stress, hair tends to get back to its normal state naturally. You have to give it time and care. As your hair grows back, you’ll notice short hairs of the same length along your hairline. Most people regain their normal hair fullness within six to nine months.

Here are a few tips to boost hair growth:

Hair Care

• Limit your use of curling irons, flat irons, and hot combs.
• Use the lowest heat setting on your blow-dryer.
• Avoid hairstyles that require wearing your hair tightly pulled back in a bun, ponytail, or braids

Diet:

• Maintain a high-protein diet
• Include more Vitamin D
• Supplements like biotin could be taken with proper consultation from your doctor.

The most important point to remember here is that Covis-related hair loss is NOT permanent. It is simply your body’s way of resetting the cycle. You will see regrowth within 4 to 6 months of the hair loss. If you are still concerned, consult with a certified dermatologist and get your doubts resolved.

You can simply click here to book an appointment with Dr. Veenu Jindal, a leading dermatologist in Delhi. You can also visit rasaderm.com to know more!