BENGALURU: Dermatologists say they are seeing an increase in the number of people who have recovered from Covid-19 seeking help for hair loss. The contributing factors are stress, inflammatory reactions in the body during the infection, medicines given during the Covid treatment, and the virus itself, they say. But doctors say it’s just a temporary phase.
‘Telogen effluvium’, as doctors call it, is a temporary loss of hair, especially in the upper part of the scalp and it is usually triggered by stress, shock, or a traumatic event. Doctors say, many who have recovered from Covid complain strands come off when they just run their hand through their hair.
Scared to even comb
“Some patients say they are scared to comb their hair because their hair keeps falling,” said Dr Anil Abraham, dermatologist and trichologist, Abraham Skin and Hair Clinic. While just 2% of OPD consultations were related to hair loss previously, it has now gone up to about 15% post-Covid, said Dr Abraham.
Shailaja (name changed), 38, a homemaker, said her hair fell every time she combed or bathed, and she panicked fearing she had a serious illness. On questioning, her trichologist learnt that she had recovered from Covid in April. Her serum ferritin (iron stores) and vitamin D were low. With diet supplements and treatment, the problem virtually disappeared.
Two to three months
“Any illness can push hair from growing to falling phase,” said Dr Neelima Sharma, dermatologist, Malathi Manipal hospital. “The whole process takes around 2-3 months. Those who had Covid in April-May are now facing the problem. We are increasingly seeing such cases.”
Normally hair loss is due to breakage or due to shedding from the root, said Dr Abraham. “post-Covid, it is shedding from the root. Hair goes into a falling phase because 60-70% of the roots become weak. The good news is that it is reversible,” said Dr Abraham. Dr Sharma says that there are multiple cases where people have lost most of their hair in a span of 15 days and in some cases men have gone bald. Children are not immune either.
Doctors say the severity of the infection does not matter. “I have seen patients who were on a ventilator and people who had mild symptoms. It’s not the stress factor alone, but the virus itself plays a role,” said Dr Sharma.
Dr Shireen Furtado, consultant, medical and cosmetic dermatology, Aster CMI hospital, said there have been entire families coming in with the same problem. About 15 of the 40 patients in her OPD in a day are cases of hair loss, of which 10 are post-Covid cases. “It generally happens 90 days post-Covid,” said Dr Furtado.
Dr Furtado said in any viral infection, the body naturally gears up to protect the vital organs. “The skin, hair and nails get very less nutrition. After three months the body has used up all the sources of biotin. The cuticle of the nails become ridged and brittle and the skin becomes dry,” she said.
Checking the nails of people complaining of hair loss is equally important, she says, adding that the skin, nails and hair are signs of wellness in a person.
Don’t bank on home remedies
Dr Furtado said deficiency of micronutrients is what needs to be addressed. “Instead of wasting time with home remedies and hoping things will improve, it’s much better to visit a qualified dermatologist or trichologist and get the correct treatment,” says Dr Abraham. “Blood tests often show a B12, vitamin D deficiency or low serum ferritin. These could be connected to less outdoor activity and sun exposure or an unhealthy diet.”
