We’ve heard of some pretty weird long-term side effects that happen to people after contracting the coronavirus, from loss of taste to psychosis. People who have recovered but are still experiencing lingering effects are called “long distance people.” One of the main side effects is post-COVID hair loss. Hair loss is common when you’ve been through a stressful event, including contracting COVID-19.
Many people took to social media and posted about the hair loss they experienced after recovering from the disease. There are many reasons why you might be dealing with post-COVID hair loss. More than 20% of people who were hospitalized with the disease lost their hair in the months after they were discharged.
Beyond emotional and physical stress, people are asking the question: is hair loss a symptom of COVID-19 or is it simply a response to stress? Ultimately, they are both. And stressing about hair loss will only make things worse!
Instead of permanent loss, doctors view this case as hair loss, scientifically known as telogen effluvium. When someone suffers from an illness, specifically a fever, they can shed months after the illness. It is not uncommon for handfuls to come out between three and six months.
One dermatologist told Healthline.com: “When there is a shock to the system, the body goes into lockdown mode and only focuses on essential functions. Hair growth is not as essential as other functions, so hair falls out in the end.”
First of all, you can focus on proper nutrition. These important minerals and vitamins include:
Iron
Vitamin D
Vitamin C
B12 vitamin
Zinc
Protein
Folic acid
Biotin (Vitamin B7)
Here are some other things you can do to prevent and treat post-COVID hair loss.
Coconut oil
Many of us suffer from hair loss for a variety of reasons; after all, stress is not uncommon. Coconut oil can be a topical treatment and can also be integrated into your diet. When applied topically, it’s packed with lauric acid and medium chain triglycerides, which nourish hair from the inside out. Apply to the scalp to promote growth.
2. Take more iron
Many women are naturally deficient in iron anyway, so consider adding iron-rich foods or an iron supplement to your daily diet. Healthy iron levels allow the body to produce red blood cells, which is essential for retaining the fullness of hair. You can try amla butter or add red grapes and black raisins to your diet.
3. Add ghee to your diet
White butter, or ghee, is full of vitamin A and healthy fatty acids that can keep hair healthy. It also contains vitamin D that helps prevent post-COVID hair loss and encourages your hair to grow even more.
4. Get enough sleep
In the post-COVID phase, sleep is an important part of recovering from that stressful period. It also produces melatonin, which has been linked to the growth of healthy hair. However, not sleeping can cause your hair to fall out and thin it out even more, so make the most of those eight hours!
5. Treat your hair better
Don’t wear hairstyles that require your hair to be pulled tightly into a ponytail or braid. Keep things loose, and also try to avoid applying unnecessary heat to your hair, such as hot oil treatments or straightening and curling irons. Also, try to brush your hair as gently as possible.
6. Lose stress
Ultimately, losing hair is stressful, but what’s important is the fact that you’ve gotten through that ordeal. Most likely your hair will grow back; it just requires a little patience. Doctors say that the stress of hair loss can create a cyclical problem again, so try to keep your stress levels as low as possible and make sure you don’t go bald.
7. Use gentle, moisturizing products
Overly strong shampoos and conditioners are not allowed if you are looking to regrow your hair. Instead, choose products that won’t traumatize your scalp. Look for a gentle, calming shampoo and moisturizing conditioner that protects hair from split ends and breakage.
8. Make an appointment with a dermatologist
Yes, these skin specialists can help you treat hair loss. They will help you better identify the true source of your hair loss, increasing your chances of getting the results you’re looking for.
9. Talk to your doctor about PRP treatments
This treatment, also known as platelet-rich treatments, requires drawing blood from the patient, spinning it, and then injecting it back into the scalp. This comes at a steep price: over $700, but apparently, after just a couple of months, hair can grow back up to 40% faster.
