How to Treat Post Covid Hair Loss Issues?
Yey you got over covid and your in great health it’s been 2-3 months your going about your life , the first few days you start to see a little more hair fall . You think it’s ok we l wait and watch , the hair fall starts to aggravate, it’s tufts of hair everywhere, your maid is also complaining , sounds familiar ?
Post-Covid hair fall (which can be moderate to severe) is an increasingly common phenomenon – and close to 90% of such hairfall are instances of the ‘telogen effluvium’ condition (which is triggered by high emotional and/or physical stress). The good news is, post-Covid hair loss is non-scarring and reversible – and instead of being unduly worried, you can contact any good dermatology clinic for hair loss treatment in Bangalore – for easy and suitable remedies. Here’s what you need to know about tackling post-Covid hair loss issues:
Understanding The Triggers
The first step for effectively treating post-Covid hair loss is getting a thorough understanding of the root cause of the problem. The ‘telogen effluvium’ condition – which causes an imbalance in the follicular cycling process – can be triggered by multiple factors, like fever, infection, psychological and/or physical stresses, dietary changes, excessive loss in weight, and more. Unless the hair loss (mass shedding) is triggered by nutrition problems or medication side-effects, it is likely to get resolved on its own (the recovery can take up to 7-9 months though).
In this context, it is important to note that the ‘telogen effluvium’ condition is a consequence of being affected by the pandemic – and not just a Covid-19 symptom. According to leading skin and hair care specialists, there is generally a 2-3 month gap between the onset of a high-stress event (in this case, coronavirus attack) and the start of hair loss. If the hair loss is more than ~100 per day (and in bunches), it is always advisable to seek expert medical consultation.
Getting Rid Of Stress Is Key
While the incidence of ‘telogen effluvium’ has grown by nearly 400% since the start of the pandemic, it has to be kept in mind that the hair loss is not a side-effect of Covid-19 (or its treatment). The phenomenon is caused, in most cases, by the stresses associated with the illness. As such, it is vital to manage stress levels effectively to treat post-Covid hair loss.
Self care with time for oneself with dedicated time for oneself , From regular exercises and meditation, to getting adequate sleep everyday and staying away from tensions of all kinds – there is no dearth of effective ways for minimising overall mental stress levels. Nurturing healthy relationships with others also makes a difference. You can also get in touch with a qualified therapist to know more about easy stress management techniques.
Follow Best Practices for Hair; Do Not Panic
consultants from any leading clinic for hair loss treatment in Bangalore would emphasise on the fact that post-Covid hair loss is a self-limited affliction, and hair recovery would happen on its own. The panic is often so much that the the person experiencing it wants to get procedures done without the correction of basic lifestyle causes and medications .
Focus on the importance of following regular, healthy hair habits. Of course, it is scary to see hair loss in bunches after every wash – but keep in mind that post-Covid hair loss cannot make you go bald. That’s a myth.
Conditioning your hair with the right products or oils to protect from uv damage to hair is a good addition to hair care . Heat-based treatments are best avoided – while your doctor would also probably advised you to go easy on hairstyles that involve the hair being tightly pulled (e.g., braids or ponytails). In general, all normal hair care habits – like washing or styling – should be continued . The general fear people have to wash hair and see hair loss shouldn’t prevent a hair wash It will take time, but the condition will gradually get better.
Check Your Scalp Health Regularly
In regular cases of ‘telogen effluvium’, there should be little or no changes in the appearance of the scalp. In case you witness any form of rashes or swelling, or experience burning/itching/painful sensations, it is always a good idea to get in touch with a reputed hair loss treatment clinic immediately. Taking good care of the scalp and hair goes a long way in mitigating the effects of ‘telogen effluvium’.
Interestingly, the ‘telogen effluvium’ phenomenon is more common among, but is not limited to, Covid-19 patients. The stresses associated with the pandemic can be many and varied (anxiety about the virus itself, isolation, financial tensions, etc.). This makes it extremely important for everyone to avoid stress as much as possible, and adhere to healthy hair & scalp care habits. Times are challenging – but you must not let it affect you too much.
The Importance Of Nutrition For Speeding Up Hair Regrowth
Following a regular, healthy diet is a vital part of post-Covid hair loss treatment. Your doctor or dietician will typically suggest a diet that has the correct amount of iron, vitamins (B12, C and D), zinc, folic acid and protein. In certain cases, iron supplements and/or other medications can also be prescribed. Avoid taking random over-the-counter (OTC) medications though – the results can be counterproductive.
The genetic disposition of patients also determines how quickly and effectively the ‘telogen effluvium’ condition can be reversed. People with relatively high iron levels in their body are likely to recover faster (i.e., the hair regrowth will be quicker) than those with anemic conditions. Hair loss in bunches or patches can also be caused by a condition called ‘alopecia areata’ (or other autoimmune complications) – but there is no conclusive evidence yet on whether such cases have a direct connection with Covid-19.
Post-Covid Hair Loss and Increases In The Telogen Phase
The normal growth cycle of hair follicles has three broad phases – hair growth (anagen), hair resting (catagen) and hair shedding (telogen). When ‘telogen effluvium’ kicks in following Covid-19, the telogen phase shoots up by nearly 50%. As a result, the volume of hair shedding/hair fall increases manifold. By following good dietary & lifestyle habits, and by following the recommendations of your consultant dermatologist, this imbalance gets gradually restored.
Monitoring the hair loss situation is also a good idea to track the treatment progress. The recovery will not happen overnight – and you will need to be patient about things.
Recommended Reading : Reasons Why PRP Treatment is Suitable for Hair Loss
The Need For Contacting A Hair Loss Treatment Clinic
It’s not irreversible and it will not make you go bald – but being negligent about post-Covid hair loss can lead to seriously adverse results. Instead of self-medicating, you should ideally contact a reliable skin & hair loss treatment center (particularly if the hair loss is persisting for a relatively long time). A qualified dermatologist will guide you with the correct diet & lifestyle recommendations and supplements (as required) – and expedite the treatment procedure.
Witnessing massive hair fall every time you wash your hair can be distressing – there are no two ways about it. However, if it is a case of post-Covid ‘telogen effluvium’, the problem is certainly curable. Get in touch with a reputed and reliable hair treatment clinic in your locality as soon as possible. For example, if you are a resident of Bangalore, you will easily find good centers for post-Covid hair loss treatment in Bangalore.
Dr.Tina Ramachander is one of the best dermatologist in Bangalore and Medical Director at Dr.Tina’s Skin Solutionz, a skin care clinic in Bangalore. She completed her master’s in dermatology from the well acclaimed JJM Medical college in Karnataka and is now a practicising dermatosurgeon and Medical Cosmetologist in Bangalore.