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by Meditravel
Does COVID and coronavirus vaccination affect hair loss?
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has been going on for over a year, we still do not know much about the virus. Scientists are still investigating the consequences of contracting COVID-19. The list of possible complications is already very long. It includes not only respiratory problems but also hair problems. Chinese scientists have discovered that one of the most common long-term symptoms of COVID-19 is hair loss. As many as 359 of the 1,655 patients from the Wuhan hospital studied had hair loss. What is the cause of hair loss in COVID-19 and how can the problem be remedied?
Does COVID-19 cause hair loss?
Even several months after contracting COVID-19, complications may develop in the body. One such complication after the disease is excessive hair loss. This problem has been diagnosed in a large number of recovered persons.
Research on the connection between hair loss and COVID-19 has so far been conducted in China. Patients of the Jin Yin-tan Hospital in Wuhan, the city where the coronavirus pandemic started, were tested. Six months after leaving the hospital, they indicated that in addition to complaints such as fatigue and muscle pain, they suffered from excessive hair loss. This problem was reported by 359 out of 1,655 of the patients, or 22% of the people surveyed. This complication is significant in that twice as many recovered patients complain of it as of olfactory disturbances or sleep problems.
The problem with hair loss after COVID-19 is confirmed not only by the studies of Chinese doctors, but also by those conducted by Dr Natalie Lambert of Indiana University School of Medicine. She examined 1576 people. As many as 27% of them mentioned that they had noticed hair loss. Similar results were obtained by specialists from the Belgravia Centre in London, a hair regeneration clinic. Their data showed that 64 per cent of men and 38 per cent of women diagnosed with telogenetic alopecia admitted to having experienced COVID-19-related symptoms in recent months.
Why does hair fall out after COVID-19?
Doctors have not yet been able to pinpoint a clear cause for hair loss after COVID-19. They point out that both stress resulting from the coronavirus infection and hair diseases occurring in the aftermath of the infection may be the cause.
Researchers from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) indicate that hair loss after coronavirus is so-called telogen alopecia. This type of alopecia is associated with a shortened hair growth phase and the fact that a large percentage of hair follicles prematurely go into a resting state.
Telogenetic alopecia after COVID-19 may be due to the fact that contracting a hitherto unknown virus promotes severe stress and is perceived by many people as a traumatic experience. In addition, the disease is associated with prolonged weakness, sub-febrile states, nutritional deficiencies and the use of medication. All these factors contribute to the appearance of telogenetic alopecia.
It is worth noting here, however, that many trichologists are already pointing out that COVID-19 can cause not only telogenic alopecia, but also alopecia areata. As a result, hair follicles are attacked. A symptom of alopecia areata is hair loss and the formation of unsightly patches on the skin. The reason for this type of alopecia after COVID-19 is supposed to be an autoimmune reaction, as a result of which the body destroys its own hair follicles.
COVID 19 hair loss – permanent or temporary problem?
Telogen alopecia after COVID-19 is an effect that does not appear immediately after infection. It is usually diagnosed in recovered patients 2-5 months after the cause. Unfortunately, hair loss from telogenic causes is a long-term problem. The treatment is long, and often the one carried out at home or in cosmetic surgeries does not bring clear results. Teleogenic alopecia can be combated from a few to several months.
The treatment of alopecia areata will also be long-lasting. However, in its case there is still no 100% certainty that any method will be completely effective.
How to deal with hair loss after COVID-19?
In order to reduce hair loss after COVID-19, it is important to take care of rest and regeneration after the illness. A rested body will recover much more easily and quickly. During recovery it is also important to ensure a proper diet. This is very important because the body devastated by the illness often struggles with nutrient deficiencies. A diet rich in zinc, iron, copper, selenium and B vitamins will help with excessive hair loss. It is also worth taking care of proper hair care. It should include regular use of shampoos, conditioners and masks with biotin, hyaluronic acid, collagen, coenzyme Q10, minerals, B, A, C and E group vitamins. In case your hair falls out intensively, it is a good idea to visit a dermatologist or a trichologist.
Hair transplantation after COVID -19
The treatment of hair loss after coronavirus can also include a transplant. It will help in case the complication is telogen alopecia. Such procedures have been performed in Turkey for a long time and are very popular and very effective. If you are interested in hair transplantation after COVID-19 you can use the help of Meditravel. We can help you to organise your trip to Turkey. The first step to regain your full hair after coronavirus is an initial consultation, which you can do online and for free at Meditravel.
Hair loss after COVID vaccination
To deal with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic, almost all national governments have introduced a vaccination programme. It is expected to stem the tide of infection and make the disease a milder one. The lighter course of COVID-19 is also supposed to reduce the risk of long-term side effects. However, the vaccine itself raises many concerns. One of these, of course, is the side effects of taking it. Patients fear that taking it will aggravate the symptoms of the disease and complications afterwards, such as excessive hair loss.
Officially, however, the NOP does not confirm that the vaccination can cause baldness. Nor do scientific studies point to such effects of vaccines. These only say that after vaccination pain, redness at the injection site, increased temperature, headache, muscle pain and chills, fatigue, rash, pain in the limbs and joints, enlargement of the surrounding lymph nodes, nausea, vomiting can occur. Such side effects of vaccines can also be read about in the official information of the manufacturers of the preparations.