DTMT Network

Second COVID wave might be at rest, but the underlying health ailments are not. So far COVID recovered patients have reported recurrent skin allergies, rashes, dry eyes, weakness and fatigue but Delhi’s Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals has said that cases of hair loss increased two-fold post COVID.

Dr Shahin Nooreyezdan, Senior Consultant, Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, said, “We have seen a two-fold rise in the number of patients complaining of problems related to hair loss. Post COVID-19 inflammation has been a major contributor here.”

“The deficiencies caused by a compromised nutritional intake, sudden changes in weight, hormonal disturbances and reduced vitamin D and B12 levels are some of the major reasons for the large volumes of hair loss post COVID-19,” she said.

Dr Kuldeep Singh, Senior Consultant Cosmetology and Plastic Surgery, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, said, “The hair loss post COVID-19 is temporary in nature and is due to a condition called Telogen Effluvium. It is a resultant factor of the shock that the body sustains after suffering from fever and other symptoms during COVID-19.”

“Normally a person can lose up to 100 hair per day, but due to Telogen Effluvium it can increase up to 300-400 hair per day. As a recommendation, patients during their post Covid-19 recovery should consume a nutritious diet along with natural edible sources of vitamins and iron,” advised Dr Singh.

“There are two reasons for it, as iron deficiency can further accelerate hair loss, and consumption of a protein rich and balanced diet can itself be a solution for reducing temporarily witnessed hair fall,” he further explained.

Dr Singh pointed out that it is only after waiting for 5-6 weeks after consuming a nutritious diet that people should consult a doctor if they still encounter excessive hair loss.

“Moreover, some common hair care solutions that can be administered to avoid an excessive hair loss include use of mild, paraben and sulphate free shampoos, keeping a close check on the itchy and flaky scalp, refrain from oiling and massaging the scalp, using a wide tooth comb and seeking immediate medical intervention in case of development of bald patches and getting huge volumes of hair fall,” explained Dr Singh.

Doctors emphasised that losing hair can be worrisome and emotional for most people. It is due to the stress and inflammatory reactions caused by the viral illness that patients who have recovered from COVID-19 are observing an increased level of hair loss.

It is usually experienced by patients approximately after 30 days of the recovery, but in some patients it has been observed during the time of infection too.

Various deficiencies caused by change in dietary habits, fever during the infection, stress of suffering from the virus, weight loss, associated anxiety, sudden hormonal changes and persistent post COVID-19 inflammatory reactions are some of the many reasons for this unexpected temporary hair loss.