Hair loss - Long-term COVID-19 effects
- March 6, 2021 at 12:58 pm
- Hair Care,Hair loss treatment
Some
patients with COVID-19 have shown long-lasting effects. Hair loss, also
known as telogen effluvium, is not on the CDC’s list of known COVID-19 symptoms
but has been experienced by many in the months after diagnosis.
In
addition, the stress of the pandemic may cause hair loss in those who have not
been infected with the virus.
Hair
loss, also known as telogen effluvium, is not on the list of known COVID-19
symptoms but has been experienced by many in the months after diagnosis.
What
is telogen effluvium, and how are you seeing it presenting
in patients with COVID-19?
Telogen
effluvium (TE) is a common form of hair loss characterized by diffuse hair
shedding, resulting from the early entry of the hair into the telogen phase.
Inducing
factors include systemic diseases, stressful events, drugs, nutritional
deficiencies and major surgery. Hair loss occurs 3 months after the causing
event and is usually self?limiting, lasting for about 6 months. There is a
delay because there are various phases of the hair cycle. Usually around 85%
are in the growing phase, 5% resting and around 10% are shedding. When a person
has a major stress event or shock, up to 50% of their hair can be prematurely
pushed into the shedding phase.
Regarding patients
with COVID, present 3 to 4 months after the illness with shedding. People
dealing with TE who did not have COVID. There is immense stress around the
pandemic itself. People are stressed regarding finances, child care,
home-schooling and fears about contracting COVID, along with everyday life
stressors.
Why
is this something that can occur in patients with COVID?
Any
kind of stress to the body, whether it is fever or an illness, creates stress.
We see telogen effluvium with many illnesses, and COVID is no exception.
How
long can someone expect to see this happen?
TE
typically starts 2 to 4 months after the inciting event and can last up to 6
months. In most cases, it resolves on its own.
What
risk factors do patients who are experiencing telogen effluvium after COVID
infection have?
Experts
say it is hard to know why some patients recovering from COVID lose hair and
others do not. It may be related to genetics. We know that hair loss happens to
people who are predisposed, but we do not know who or why. There are specifics
about one’s hair cycle and genetics that make them prone or predisposed to
developing TE.
What
can be done to combat this issue?
Time.
The majority of TE cases resolve within 6 months. For those who want to speed
up the process, topical minoxidil applied once daily can be helpful, as long as
the patient is not pregnant or nursing. Eat a well-balanced diet with adequate
protein. A daily multivitamin can also help ensure the patient has the building
blocks needed for optimal hair growth. Try to minimize stress by doing exercise,
yoga or meditation.
When
should someone with TE contact a medical professional?
TE
and hair loss in general can be stressful. It can affect one’s quality of life.
It is important to seek medical attention from a board-certified dermatologist
if hair loss is not improving after 6 months or if the patient is concerned
about it. With TE, the scalp appears completely normal. There is no rash,
flaking or itching. If someone has those symptoms, there could be something
else going on.
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